Beautiful beaches are magnet for milliners, says Swansea's Lord Mayor Christopher Holley

On August 15 the town of Swansea, Wales hosted the friendly between the national football teams of Wales and Bulgaria. A few hours before the match Swansea Mayor Christopher Holley received the delegation of Bansko Municipality to discuss the future fraternization of the two towns that both have rich historical heritage, beautiful nature, sky-high prices of real estates and develop at top speed. Mr. Holley was kind to give an exclusive interview for the Standart.

He has been Swansea Mayor for a year. Before that he chaired the City Council. He was born on December 13, 1952 and has been in politics for 22 years.

- Mr. Holley, what is the image of Bulgaria in the eyes of the man governing the second largest city in Wales?
- Frankly speaking, I do not know enough of your country. A couple of weeks I talked to Bulgaria's Ambassador to the UK Dr Latchezar Matev. I was gladly surprised to receive from him a bottle of Bulgarian wine, a couple of DVDs with
Bulgarian folk music. I discovered that your music is very similar to ours. I also understood that you culture is oriented towards the family values, just like in Wales.
- Bulgaria is on the threshold of the European Union. What are you recommendations as a person on the other side of the barrier?
- I acclaim your coming accession to the EU. Thus the democracy in the EU is strengthened. It gives the sense of belonging, that we all are Europeans of equal rights, that there are not first and second-class nations and people. In the long run, my experience have taught me that the accession to the EU will affect positively every Bulgarian.
- Will Swansea and Bansko become twin towns? What is your forecast after talking to the leadership of Bansko municipality?
- I think this is a question of time. I hope things will develop positively and soon Bansko will be among Swansea's twin towns like Germany's Mannheim, France's Pau and Cork in Eire.
- For the last five yours your town has been under the attack of tourists and investors. What is the reason?
- It is true. Prices of real estates are sky-high in Swansea, especially along the ocean coast. Who wouldn't like to live or rest in a house that is 200 years old, close to the shore? A place with nice beaches and beautiful nature sooner or later becomes a desired place for people from all over the world. In these terms Bulgaria might turn into one of the most preferred places for living in Europe. Swansea is a fantastic town, one of the most beautiful in the United Kingdom.