Zohara Campagnola: Sofia Gave Me Everything I Need

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | October 13, 2006, Friday // 00:00
Bulgaria: Zohara Campagnola: Sofia Gave Me Everything I Need Photo by Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)

She grew up in Japan, married an Italian diplomat and came to live in Bulgaria. She is just as delicate and internationally minded as her background suggests. Mrs. Zohara Campagnola, spouse of Italy's Ambassador to Bulgaria Gian Battista Campagnola, talks to Milena Hristova about her travels, her family and much more.

Q: Is it an easy task to share the life of a diplomat? What are the sacrifices that you make for being the better part of an ambassador in Sofia?

A: I always dreamt to live outside and travel. I suppose it is everybody's dream but I was lucky enough to see my dream come true. Not everything is wine and roses, however, and I had to make some sacrifices by leaving my country Japan and my family. When you move every three or four years it is very important for you to build your own family life and keep it very solid and happy. I believe it is up to you to decide how you live and how you perceive your life. If you take it in a positive way, all the changes and moves become enrichment in the long run.

Q: What were your first expectations about the country? How did they change?

A: I knew very little about Bulgaria by reading books about your history. But when you are moving, the new place becomes your home, while Rome becomes temporary. We used to go for a few days to each place that we have been appointed and are about to spend four years of our life. This gave a chance to us to get to know the city, the school of our daughter, etc.

When I came here for the first three days, I remember going back to Rome and telling my friends that Sofia is very "European". That was my first impression! I knew that it was not like going to a city with a different culture, which would require to prepare myself mentally and change my way of life.

Sofia gave me everything I needed to have a normal life, which has been the case up to now. I am very positive and during the three years that I have been here I have seen many changes for the better - the city is growing, beautifying itself, its cultural life is booming, something that we foreigners appreciate very much. I enjoy going to the markets and horse-riding.

Q: You have travelled a lot. What makes Bulgaria stand out among the other countries that you have visited?

A: I met my husband in Japan where he worked as a young diplomat. In fact it is not unusual for diplomatic service members to marry foreign women because they travel a lot, live very little in their own country and consider themselves very international. After Japan we moved to Brussels, where my daughter was born. Then we went back to Rome, where we are obliged to return every eight years not to lose touch with the country. We have done interesting places like Miami, where my husband was General Consul, and Costa Rica, where I considerably improved my Spanish.

Bulgaria is different for the fact that it is struggling to come out of a difficult period. Politically you have worked very hard - Bulgaria joined NATO and is about to go back to the European Union, where it has always belonged. In the three years that I spent here I have seen so many changes, which I believe are for the better.

What would you like to advise Bulgarians so that they can more easily adapt to the new rules that an eventual accession to the European Union would set to them?

It is not only about going into the EU, but rather about going into a modern era. Bulgarians have already done very big steps in their cultural life, women retain their independence as part of Bulgaria's history of equal status between the sexes.

Q: Do you appreciate Japan's conservatism and introvertedness or think that it lost something of its identity after it opened up to the world?

A: Japan is very special in its conservatism as far as culture is concerned. Even today they're lots of things about the Japanese culture and traditions that we still keep and maintain in everyday life. It is a little bit difficult to do this outside Japan because there traditions are kept by the family and the festivities. It may sound banal but it is very exciting to see everyone walking around dressed in the traditional kimono during festivities like the beginning of the year, the arrival of spring time, festivals for children and cherry blossoms.

Japan is a very modern country with a capital, which is practically futuristic. Technology-wise we are leaders, we have opened up a lot as far as culture, fashion and food is concerned. But we have been closed for many centuries and that's why traditions are able to stay and live there. It is a very nice combination between the two.

Q: You have grown up in Tokyo and the Japanese are known for their personal connections to nature. How does your perception of nature show in your everyday life?

A: I love nature and sports very much. We pride ourselves on our gardens, which are not necessarily with flowers, but with pebbles, green plants. Here you have roses and I love them very much. Come back to my garden in two months and you will see! Any natural phenomenon, like the recent eclipse of the sun, is of interest to me. Unlike Japan, where you can go out and run in the park even in the winter, it is difficult to be that sporty in Bulgaria at that time of the year. Yet I love going outside for walks with my dog.

Q: Do you have a favourite place outside Sofia?

A: I was very impressed when I first visited the Rila Mountain. We love walking in the mountains and in Italy we go to the Alps. We have been doing this since our daughter was very little, equipped with walking shoes and backpacks.

Q: You are a member of the International Women's Club, whose charity role has grown stronger over the years. How do you keep this tradition alive and contribute to it?

A: I joined the club as soon as I arrived in Sofia, as it is a meeting point of all foreigners. The annual Christmas bazaar is my favourite event as it involves big preparations and is a lot of fun. I have a wonderful group of Italian ladies around me and dare say we have performed very well. Members of the diplomatic mission help because we have time and experience.

Q: Do you think the IWC needs better promotion among Bulgarian companies and organizations? How do you rate their response now?

A: The local community are always happy to participate and we have received only positive feedback from the people and the media.

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