Memory from SUSANA VIEIRA

Professor in International Law, BRAZIL

Snejana - Sneja - was a gift I received from my friend Emilia, her sister. In 2012 the International Law Association held its general conference in Sofia. I had never been to Bulgaria before, but I had met Emilia in Hayward, where she teaches and I taught a term. She could only make it to the Conference for the last day, so she asked her sister to take care of me.

And Sneja made absolutely all the difference. She not only put me at the best hotel(Grand), but picked me up at the airport, and gave me an incredible day walking tour of your marvellous city, explaining and contextualizing everything in a manner that made me fall in love with Bulgaria (I can still see the streets and museum, walk thre tracks of the trams in my mind, see the change of Guards at the Palace and visit the marvellous gold mseum next to it... the four different faith cathedrals in a square...and so much more!).

She was generous enough to take, not only me, but several early bird ILA friends, who were just as enchanted. The Conference was very interesting, and busy - but when it was over Sneja and Emilia took me on an unforgettable car tour - we crossed Bulgaria to the Black Sea, stopping at the marvellous Museum with the grass pyramids, as I called it - unforgettable historic site. We spent a night in Varna, in the special hotel in which I felt like a romance heroine...then went on to the modern seashore to stay for 2 nights in an incredible historic island, where time seemed to stop.

Then we drove back, stopping in your historic (and beautiful) first capital - but we stopped in different interesting cities, coming and going (I have hundreds of pictures of half stone half wood houses, and so many flowers....). And all the time Sneja kept involving me with Bulgaria, its history and culture. That was when I learned of her life work as a Librarian. I believe she did more for Bulgarian culture and tourism than most politicians...smiles. I wanted her to visit me in Brazil so I could do the same for her (Emilia had already visited me once, I wanted to have the two of them now).

We kept in touch, and planning...unhappily, the day never came, but I am sure she now visits my beautiful country from her privileged new habitat! And I know the work she did for USA/Bulgaria cultural exchange, for one, will remain. We can trust Emilia to carry it on.

People like Sneja make this world a better place. And I am very grateful to Emilia for introducing me to Sneja. I have advised many people to visit Bulgaria since then... so the seeds she sowed - in me and i others, I am sure - certainly bear fruit. So she will be remembered, and honoured, and thanked... her love for her country, but also mankind. And international culture exchange, the road to Peace and a better world.

Till we meet again, Sneja!