How long have you lived in Bulgaria? Did the stay here influence you in a way?
I have worked here since November 1 2006. Before that I worked for seven years as head of communications of a Greek group of companies in the automobile industry. When I received a proposal from Ketchum (a Civitas affiliate), Athens, to be a managing director of Civitas Global in Sofia, I accepted because of the challenge – the potential for development in the market here is huge. Public relations are not so developed in Bulgaria and my job is to import the international expertise of our Ketchum network and educate local professionals. Civitas Global has expertise in the Balkan region, so we would like to apply it in our neighbourhood. Greece, Bulgaria, Romania – I don’t see many cultural differences among them. Our job is multicultural; we have to find the similarities that unify all these civilisations.

Where did you live in Greece?
I come from an island in the north-eastern Aegean called Hios, but I lived in Athens. I like to go back home one weekend a month in order to keep in touch with my family and I try not to break this pattern. Anyway, I wouldn’t say I’ve left my family. Considering the distance, it’s like working in Greece. I can go home whenever I like: it’s eight hours by car. I just work in a city near Athens.

What were your expectations about Bulgaria before you came?
The image of Bulgaria in foreign countries is not the real one. In our job we call it “perception vs reality”. I’m an image-maker and I would very much agree with a recent article in The Sofia Echo – Bulgaria needs strong image management. It’s surprising how little people know about it. I expected something different and I was surprised to see that the pace of growth is seven per cent. I see infrastructure, I see development. Bulgarians have to cultivate public opinion and transform it to the real image of the country.

What are the differences between Bulgaria and Greece?
I don’t see many. Greece has been a European country for 20 years now, so we have developed a little bit faster. But I don’t see other differences. I feel like home, I even use the same words sometimes. I don’t think my life has changed. One small difference is that we have fun more than Bulgarians during the nights – we’re out until six or seven o’clock in the morning.

Do you keep Greek traditions while you’re in Bulgaria?
I keep them as much as I can, but on the other hand I’m trying to have Bulgarian friends. I like to adapt myself to the local culture. I had martenitsas around my wrist, which is not typical for Greece. In Sofia there is a Hellenic Business Council, so there I mix with Greeks. Anyway, my intention is to mix with Bulgarians as well. For our national holiday I will follow what the embassy says, there will probably be a reception. The truth is I’m not very nationalistic. Culture has no borders, business has no borders as well.

Is there something that you miss most in Bulgaria?
I cannot sail here. Back in Greece I used to sail with friends every weekend. I come from an island, my house is near the sea, and my father was in shipping industry. I miss nothing else – I read, I go to movies and to opera, which is my favourite.

What attracts you most in Bulgaria?
Getting to know new clients is very interesting. Another thing that interests me – because I’m an archaeologist – is finding common roots to our civilisations, seeing excavations from ancient Thrace or ancient Macedonia. I have specialisation in Byzantine archaeology so I had the chance to see Rila and Bachkovo monasteries with their frescoes.
Greece and Bulgaria have had political problems but they are solved. We have common historical roots. I think that the common things are more. In fact I don’t see things dividing Bulgaria and Greece in the modern era.

From what have you benefitted during your stay in Bulgaria?
It is a challenge to work with local enterprises and explore their potential. I know Bulgarians enjoy life. I dare say Bulgarians are like French – they always want the essence of life. In modern Greece, everyday life is crazy and stressful. This is something from which I will profit in Bulgaria – to enjoy things no matter what you earn, to save time for the quality of life.