On June 22, H. E. Ms. Ursula Hoefter Zuccoli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Bulgaria, gave a reception on the occasion of the birth of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order of Malta. At the event in Sofia Balkan hotel were present numerous guests – Ambassadors, government representatives, representatives of the academic and cultural world and high members of the Catholic church and of the Bulgarian
Orthodox church.

H. E. Ms. Ursula Hoefter Zuccoli gave a speech, in which she reviewed the Embassy’s activities during the past year – 1,500 food packages for the poor, hot meals for the homeless, a summer camp for 60 children from family type homes, a new virtual rehabilitation device “Nirvana” for the specialized hospital in Stara
Zagora.

She also explained the new faith-based diplomacy that is spreading the Order of Malta, a powerful tool for dialogue and peace, and highlighted the Order of Malta’s extensive humanitarian work around the world.

Here we will only add that a few days before the reception of H. E. Ms. Ursula Hoefter Zuccoli met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. The two discussed the excellent bilateral relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Order of Malta, also in the light of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. President Rumen Radev expressed his gratitude for the numerous initiatives of the embassy in the country to help the children and youth from the institutions, the poor, as well as other groups of people in need. He emphasized the moral and spiritual commitment of the Order of Malta in Bulgaria. For his part, H. E. Ms. Ursula Hoefter Zuccoli introduced the head of state to the latest donations and projects, among which the donation made in cooperation with the Bulgarian Christmas – the device for virtual rehabilitation “Nirvana” in Stara Zagora.

The photos are provided by the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Above: H. E. Ms. Ursula Hoefter Zuccoli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Bulgaria, to the left – Mrs. Iva Mihailova, Advisor, Deputy Head of Mission