IN THE BOOK OF HONOURABLE GUESTS Dear visitors to www.humorhouse.bg , On this page you can read some of the impressions and reflections in the BOOK OF HONOURABLE GUESTS of the museum HOUSE OF HUMOUR AND SATIRE left by political figures, foreign ambassadors, worldwide famous artists and cherished humorists. "After a sitting of the Supreme Ecclesiastical Council of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Sokolski Monastery we give our blessing to Mrs. Tatyana Tsankova and her devout co-workers. May they work for many years and with satisfaction for the common good of the people in the world and particularly for Gabrovo, "the pearl" of Veliko Tarnovo eparchy! We invoke the Lord's blessing and leave those working here praying to Jesus Christ." Veliko Tarnovo Metropolitan Grigoriy October 22, 2004 "Question: Will you let us come for the carnival, Niki? Quetion 2: You shouldn't say 'let'. Better say 'will you send us on a business trip?' EPM's reply: I will send you on a business trip - at your own expense! May you be hale and hearty, and great success to the Museum. I hope to welcome you soon in Bruxelles in order to have a good laugh at red tape together. Nickolay Mladenov Member of the European Parliament March 19, 2008 "I see nothing more vital in this life than laughter. May your House live forever." Respectfully and affectionately, Nikola Manev, artist October 23, 2004 "With due admiration for the selfless work and spirit of the genuine Gabrovians at the House of Humour and Satire. If it is true that 'humour is the blood circulation of society', then Gabrovo must be its heart. Ina Kileva Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria May 21, 2005 "The years do fly, and the problems do persist...." Boris Dimovski, Bulgarian cartoonist May, 2001 "We congratulate the citizens of Gabrovo on taking such a pride in their culture and history. Except 'love', 'humour' and 'laughter' are the best words." Korean Society for Experimentation in Contemporary Design May 23, 2005 " I had to turn 50 to realize that I had no other home but the House of Humour and Satire!" Anatoliy Stankulov, Bulgarian cartoonist October 26, 2006 "Whichever way you look at it, Gabrovo is the world centre of humour and satire." Delcho Mihajlov, Director of the World Cartoon Gallery in Skopje, Macedonia March 24, 2005 "One of the most basic human rights is that of the right to smile and laugh. The Gabrovo museum is the museum of that right. May its unique spirit make millions more smile." Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coodinator for Bulgaria November 27, 2003 "The House of Humour and Satire calls to mind that life can be humourless, too." Solomon Pasi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria November 10, 2004 "If I write down that the House of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo is a singular phenomenon in the cultural history not only of Gabrovo, but in that of Bulgaria, Europe and the world, I'll say nothing new.This inimitable cultural institute is a beacon to the entire human culture because humankind, tired of economic hardships and political roundabouts, can find a saving way out both in harmless humour and in scathing satire. I wish the team great success in the future! " Prof. Dimitar Ovcharov, historian November 1, 2005 "I wish the House of Humour and Satire numberless excellent works of art, and may each day contribute to more effective entertainment of people and higher quality of education of the nation." Nguyen van Dac, Ambassador of Vietnam in Bulgaria November 11, 2004 "I am grateful to the House of Humour and Satire for the opportunity to stage my fisrt solo show here. Thanks to you, the team of the Mirthful institution, Gabrovo ranks among the front-line advocates, admirers and champions of art and culture in Bulgaria. Thank you!" Nenko Atanasov, winner of the Prize for poster of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at '05 Biennial October 19, 2006 "With deep respect to the efforts of all who have succeeded in gathering and preserving this wealth of Bulgaria and the world for the generations to come! " Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria May 17, 2003 "Humour is a manifestation of wisdom and humanity, and threfore the world lives and evolves through laughter. The citizens of Gabrovo and all Bulgarians enjoy having a laugh. And so do Chinese. I wish understanding and long-lasting friendship between the Bulgarian and Chinese peoples on the sound basis of laughter." Xie Hanshun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China in Bulgaria November 11, 2003 "Dear citizens of Gabrovo, Thank you for the smiles. I'll be back again in spite of your greeting WELCOME AND GOOD RIDDANCE!". Antoaneta Georgieva, Mayor of Pernik Municipality May 26, 2004 "There are many things to say about your work and the House of Humour and Satire. I say to you that Romania wishes to have such an institution. You all, dear friends, are an inspiration for my work. Congratulations! Hope to do wonderful things together !" Florian Doru Crihana, Romanian cartoonist May 16, 2003 "I am delighted to visit the House of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo - an exceptionally exciting and matchless museum. I am strongly impressed with the order and the maintenance of the site behind which show the proficiency and love of the staff running this house of culture. I wish the museum curators success in their highly prestigious work to the further development of national culture." Prof.Bozhidar Abrashev, Doctor of the science of art Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria September 5, 2003 "I would like to express my admiration for the uniqueness of this House of Humour and Satire where, contrary to what evil tongues hold, I was received with great generosity." Dr. Paulo Tiago Jeronimo da Silva, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Portugal in Bulgaria March 9, 2004 "The great sense of humour in Gabrovo is well-known. Jokes, satire, carnival give to life a special dimension which makes life easier and makes people come together in a better feeling. Especially because Belgium is the country where cities as Aalst, Binche and Jeper have also a carnival tradition, my visit to Gabrovo gives me a very special feeling." Philippe Becke, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Bulgaria April 1, 2004