Sofia (TDI): In an engaging cross-border interaction, three Chinese astronauts, known as taikonauts, connected with Bulgarian youth via video link on Saturday, sharing insights into their experiences aboard the Tiangong space station.
The event, titled “Talking with Taikonauts,” featured astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze from the Shenzhou-19 mission.
They fielded questions from Bulgarian participants aged 8 to 22, covering topics such as the comfort of spacesuits, daily life aboard the station, and the challenges of space exploration.
Marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between China and Bulgaria, the event also commemorated the 155th anniversary of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and the 45th anniversary of Bulgaria’s first astronaut Georgi Ivanov’s historic mission.
Highlights included space science lectures, a quiz, and an exhibition featuring a mock-up of the Tiangong space station.
Bulgarian President Emphasizes Cooperation
In a message to the event, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev emphasized the importance of fostering bilateral cooperation in areas like cultural exchange, space exploration, and high technology.
He noted that such collaborations could accelerate technological advancements and inspire opportunities for younger generations.
Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli highlighted China’s growing role in international space exploration, with over 150 cooperation agreements signed with more than 50 countries and organizations by November 2023.
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Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Nikolay Vitanov, praised astronauts as symbols of humanity’s pursuit of knowledge and exploration, transcending borders to unite people globally.
Members of Bulgaria’s Parliament, including Atanas Atanasov and Gabriel Valkov, lauded the dialogue as a meaningful platform for scientific exchange and strengthening bilateral ties.
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“Events like this allow us to better understand not just China but also Bulgaria’s role in fostering global collaboration,” Valkov remarked.
The interaction underlined the growing partnership between China and Bulgaria in space science and cultural diplomacy, aiming to inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers.
