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Article Published in the spring
2004 edition of the Foreign Service Institute Newsletter
http://fsi.state.gov
Bulgarian
Instructor Stefan Mihailov:
Working Toward
Progress
 It’s not uncommon for former FSI
students to find themselves in position that can
significantly affect international relationships and
politics. The same goes for FSI teachers. The most
resent case in point: FSI Bulgarian teacher Stefan
Mihailov is recognized by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry
and the U.S. Embassy in Sofia for making a unique
contribution to the strong U.S.-Bulgarian bilateral
relationship. Stefan Mihailov was awarded the
prestigious commemorative medal that marks the occasion
of the 100-year diplomatic relationship between the U.S.
and Bulgaria. Bulgarian Ambassador Elena Poptodorova
presented the medal to Stefan Mihailov on December 4,
2003 at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
With this medal Stefan is given high
honors by the Bulgarian government for his contributions
to the dramatic changes and improvements in Bulgaria and
in the relationship with the United States.
During his 17 years of living in the
United States, Stefan was able to accomplish his dreams
of seeing Bulgaria establish a democratic government to
protect individual freedoms, religions expression,
cultural traditions, and human rights. Exiled by the
Communist government for being an active religious
leader in Bulgaria, Stefan escaped with his life and
found a home in the United States. While Stephan had to
start a new life here in 1984, he continued to fight for
the Bulgarian people.
Stefan immediately began working as a
priest in Bulgarian Orthodox Church “St. George” in
Arlington, VA and for Voice of America and Radio Free
Europe. He began teaching at FSI in 1986 and over the
past two decades has as done more than teaching a
language – he has helped the U.S. government prepare its
diplomats for service in Bulgaria. Stefan has worked
with seven U.S. Ambassadors to Bulgaria, giving them
language skills and insights into the history, culture,
economy and politics of Bulgaria.
Stefan’s contribution to the
U.S.-Bulgaria bilateral relationship goes beyond the
walls of FSI. When not at FSI, Stefan worked tirelessly
to promote religious freedoms in Bulgaria, protect the
rights of ethnic minorities in his motherland, and
protest the human rights violations of the Bulgarian
communist government.
 “It was an honor for me to receive
this prestigious award from Ambassador Poptodorova
earlier this month” said Stefan about the
recent awards ceremony. “Even without a medal, I have
been rewarded for my work by seeing the Communist
government fall in 1989, and watching the democratic
principals take root and grow in my country.”
This year Stephan has also received
the State Department’s Franklin Award for recent
accomplishments.
Bulgaria has been in the news over
the past year because of their supportive role on the
U.N. Security Council and in the deployment of forces in
South Central Europe. The U.S. Senate unanimously voted
to accept Bulgaria into NATO in 2004. Bulgaria is
scheduled for acceptance into the European Union in
2007. |
