RADIO SOFIA, BULGARIA.
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In February 1936, the first pilot external broadcasts commenced from Radio Sofia, the successor of the public Rodno Radio that was founded in 1930. Soon after, Radio Sofia commenced broadcasting to various regions of the world. (Bnr.bg 2025)
In April 1936, regular broadcasts from Radio Sofia commenced around the world. Esperento broadcasts commenced in 1936, followed by programs in French, German, English, and Italian. (Bnr.bg 2025)
Radio Sofia's Italian language program was prepared by Petar Ouvaliev (b. 1915. d. 1998), who went on to work for the BBC.
Ouvaliev stated:
"This radio seemed like something absolutely incredible......While the world was stubbornly splitting into enemies the radio waves spanned the ditches of hatred. The radio taught us how not to hate.” (Bnr.bg 2025)
Ouvaliev stated:
"This radio seemed like something absolutely incredible......While the world was stubbornly splitting into enemies the radio waves spanned the ditches of hatred. The radio taught us how not to hate.” (Bnr.bg 2025)
Above:- Petar Ouvaliev. Image c/o Facebook.
Other than news, Radio Sofia also broadcast on its foreign language broadcasts, several programs including reviews of cultural events, lectures and translations of Bulgarian poetry.
Following WWII, broadcasts commenced in several other languages including Czech, Hungarian, Russian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Greek and Turkish. During the 1950s Radio Sofia commenced broadcasts in Spanish and Arabic, followed by Albanian and Portuguese in the the 1970s. (Bnr.bg 2025)
Following WWII, broadcasts commenced in several other languages including Czech, Hungarian, Russian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Greek and Turkish. During the 1950s Radio Sofia commenced broadcasts in Spanish and Arabic, followed by Albanian and Portuguese in the the 1970s. (Bnr.bg 2025)
During the early 1950s, Dzhoko Rosic commenced working at Radio Sofia. He would later become one of the most popular Bulgarian actors.
Above:- Dzhoko Rosic. Image c/o Ivansavov, Wikipedia.
In 1992, Radio Sofia was renamed Radio Bulgaria.
In 2006, Radio Bulgaria/Sofia celebrated its 70th anniversary.
In 2006, Radio Bulgaria/Sofia celebrated its 70th anniversary.
Radio Bulgaria ceased its shortwave broadcasts on the 1st day of February 2012. (Lyubomir Gigov 2025) (Wikipedia 2025)
WEBSITE.
YOU TUBE VIDEOS.
The video below shows the interval signal of Radio Sofia.
QSL CARDS RECEIVED.
17th June 1984.
25m band - 21st May 1983.
OTHER ITEMS RECEIVED.
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Listener competition.
Tourist competition.
New Years Poll - 1987.
Spring programme schedule 1987.
Winter programme schedule - 1987.
Spring programme schedule - 1986.
Letter - 1986
English section winter programme schedule 1986.
New Year Poll - 1985.
Poll - 1985
Spring programme schedule 1985.
Summer programme schedule - 1984.
Letter - May 1984.
English language schedule - 1984.
English language winter programme schedule - 1983.
Contest letter.
Questionaire.
Radio Sofia shortwave monitor form.
References.
- Bnr.bg. (2025). Radio Bulgaria, the voice of Bulgaria across the world. [online] Available at: https://bnr.bg/post/100924849/radio-bulgaria-the-voice-of-bulgaria-across-the-world [Accessed 3 Jul. 2025].
- Lyubomir Gigov (2025). Bulgarian National Radio: 90 Years on Air. [online] Www.bta.bg. Available at: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/archives/820811-bulgarian-national-radio-90-years-on-air [Accessed 3 Jul. 2025].
- Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Radio Bulgaria. Wikipedia.