April 2016

April 2016

Newsletter

of the International Women’s Club in Sofia

Day of St. Lazarus A Feast of Flowers Cast your vote for the NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD Next Monthly Coffee Morning: Tuesday, 10th May, 10.30am

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Letter from the President

Dear Ladies, It seems like only last month that I was writing my first letter as President! The last year has flown by and I feel, as a board, we have worked very well together and have been committed to provide a positive experience for all our members and supporters.

Together we have tried to provide a more varied range of events and have been open to suggestions and advice. We have run an open and transparent board and encouraged all member to participate in all aspects of the club.

We are, step by step, upgrading our website to become more accessible and interactive for our members. You can now pay your membership online and make a donation to our charity foundation online. We hope to continue to improve the online experience for you and all our visitors.

We also raised a record breaking amount of money at the annual charity bazaar, which continues to go from strength to strength, this is down to the commitment shown by all of the members of this club, of which you should all be very proud.

I have really enjoyed serving on the board and will always encourage new board members to have this experience, but I have decided to run again for one more year to provide some continuation.

Maria Ilieva and Becky Faber have decided to stand down this year, due to their personal and work commitments. Becky came in like a whirlwind with great energy and positivity and was a great ambassador of the club, she will definitely be missed in the boardroom!

Maria has been our charity Chairperson for the last 5 years and has given much needed stability and consistency to this position, she has improved our procedures, kept us up to date with government policy within the charity sector, made crucial connections, and built relationships as well as she maintains contact with our many charities, through visits, reports and ensuring the club has its due exposure. I am very pleased to have worked with Maria and she will be leaving this position in great shape.

Enormous thanks to both Becky and Maria and my best wishes for their future commitments.

I know this will be a busy month with Easter holidays and time planned away, but please sign up for any events that you can make it to, and remember you can always sign up online!

Happy holidays to you all.

Angela

Permanent and Waterproof PRINT on LIVE ROSES

Cover image: radomirdnes.com

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IWC Executive Board 2015-2016 President Angela Bird 0879 119 152 president@iwc-sofia.org

Charity Chairperson Maria Ilieva 0878 300 561/ 0879 119 154 charity@iwc-sofia.org

Treasurer Kelsa L. Smith-Mouskourova 0879 506 800 treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

Vice-President Becky Ruth Faber 0879 119 150 firstvp@iwc-sofia.org

Bazaar Coordinator Toi Castelló i Reñé 0879 506 799 iotcas@gmail.com

Office Manager/ Membership Coordinator Zarina Benoun-Takova 0895 571 813 admin@iwc-sofia.org

Web/Newsletter Editor: Elitsa Lingorski 0877 369 483 office@iwc-sofia.org International Women’s Club Business Park Sofia, Building 11A, 3rd floor, tel: 02 951 6117 “Like” IWC on Facebook and check our website www.iwc-sofia.org

Club policy Smoking Please note that all IWC Coffee Mornings are non-smoking.

Bulgarian Applicants Unfortunately, due to a lack of available spaces, new Bulgarian applicants will be added to the waiting list, until further notice Language Don’t let a lack of fluency in English keep you from attending the monthly coffee mornings and other club activities. Many of our members speak other languages. Remember, we are an international club, and we are here to support you. You’re welcome at any time.

Suggestion Box The suggestion box is always available at the members’ sign-in table. Feel free to write your ideas, concerns, complaints, and suggestions to the IWC Board and drop them in the box. Because you’re important to us, we want to hear from you.

IWC Visitors Policy The IWC doors are open to visitors throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to attend up to two coffee mornings and two activities prior to applying for membership. A 15 BGN fee is payable upon registration at the sign-in table during the coffee morning. For more information, please contact the Member-ship Coordinator at office@iwc-sofia.org.

Events Charges All events are available to fully paid up members of the IWC. Where there is a cost involved, it will be kept to the very minimum.

Guests will be able to attend the events that are specified at the time. Not all events will be open to guests. Events that are open to guests will also carry a ‘guest’ surcharge as follows:

Monthly Events Free monthly events are free to guests. Events costing under 20BGN, there is an additional charge of 5BGN. Events costing 21BGN or more, there is an additional charge of 50%.

Monthly Activity Groups Monthly activity groups are free and any charge for guests will be at the discretion of the organiser of the group, a charge may be added for instance if a guest regularly frequents one of these activities without becoming a member.

A deposit is required from all members and guests attending an event with a cost involved. This deposit will be forfeited in the case of non attendance.

Event

IWC Member

Guest

Free Monthly Event

Free

Free

Free Activity Group Event

Free

Paid*

Paid Monthly Event

5-20BGN

+5BGN

Paid Monthly Event

21BGN+

+50%

Member only Event

Open

Closed

*Charge for guests at the discretion of the activity group organiser with a min. sum of 10 BGN. Use of IWC Logo The Board has established the following policy for the use of the IWC logo and brand name. In order to prevent any misuse.

1.Written Permission must be requested from the Board a minimum of 2 weeks prior to event; 2. The partnering organisation/company should be in good standing in the community; 3. The event should seek to pursue the goals of the IWC; 4. No third-party usage will be permitted. An agreement will be signed between IWC and partner organisation; 5. The Logo may be used only for the agreed event and for specified time period.

Guidelines for Paid Advertisement 1. Priority for any vacant advertising spaces will be given first to IWC members, then to outside advertisers.

2. Advertisers are welcome to run or extend their advertisements for a period of six months. After that time, if there is a waiting list for advertisements of that size, the situation will be reviewed, and priority for available spaces will be given to (a) IWC members; (b) new advertisers; (c) existing advertisers. The same order of priority will apply to smaller ad space that may become available.

3. There is no waiting list for advertisements of a given size, the current advertiser may extend their advertisement for the contract period of their choice.

4. These guidelines may be revised at any time with the agreement of the IWC Board.

5. Paid advertisers are not endorsed by the IWC.

Rules For Announcements From Members 1. Advertisements will be run in two consecutive issues. If the member sends a request to run the advertisement again, it will be extended for a further two issues. After that, the advertisement will be removed. If the member still wishes to include the advertisement after that time, the request will be considered, but placement is not guaranteed.

2. Advertisements must be submitted by members. Members may not submit ads for non-members (e.g., for a friend who is selling a car, etc.).

3. Members may not submit recommendations for businesses. These recommendations may be submitted to the IWC Go To Guide. Businesses are also welcome to purchase advertising in the newsletter.

4.Recommendations for individuals engaged in business (e.g., dentists, hairdressers, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

5. Final discretion as to whether to include an announcement rests with the Newsletter Editor.

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We ask members to send all announcements for the newsletter via e-mail. The size of ads should not exceed a single paragraph of five lines. The IWC board is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided in these announcements.

Please send your contributions to office@iwc-sofia.org not later than the 15th of the month.

April

April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar, before Ianuarius and Februarius were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when twelve months are displayed in order) during the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days. The 30th day was added during the reform of the calendar undertaken by Julius Caesar in the mid-40s BC, which produced the Julian calendar.

The Anglo-Saxons called April ēastre-monaþ. The Venerable Bede says in The Reckoning of Time that this month ēastre is the root of the word Easter. He further states that the month was named after a goddess Eostre whose feast was in that month.

8th April, Buddha’s Birthday The birthday of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mahayana Buddhism. According to the Theravada Tripitaka scriptures Gautama was born in Lumbini in modern-day Nepal, around the year 563 BCE, and raised in Kapilavastu.

According to this legend, briefly after the birth of young prince Gautama, an astrologer named Asita visited the young prince's father—King Śuddhodana—and prophesied that Siddhartha would either become a great king or renounce the material world to become a holy man, depending on whether he saw what life was like outside the palace walls. Śuddhodana was determined to see his son become a king, so he prevented him from leaving the palace grounds. But at age 29, despite his father's efforts, Gautama ventured beyond the palace several times. In a series of encounters—known in Buddhist literature as the four sights—he learned of the suffering of ordinary people, encountering an old man, a sick man, a corpse and, finally, an ascetic holy man, apparently content and at peace with the world. These experiences prompted Gautama to abandon royal life and take up a spiritual quest.

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22-30th April, Passover Passover or Pesach is an important, biblically derived Jewish festival. The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. It commemorates the story of the Exodus as described in the Hebrew Bible especially in the Book of Exodus, in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

According to standard biblical chronology, this event would have taken place at about 1300 BC. Passover is a spring festival which during the existence of the Jerusalem Temple was connected to the offering of the "first-fruits of the barley", barley being the first grain to ripen and to be harvested in the Land of Israel.

23rd April, Day of St. Lazarus The Lazarovden ceremonies, called Lazarouvane, are among the best-loved Bulgarian traditions. In village communities, Lazarovden was quite an event in the life of every young girl, for then she could demonstrate that she had already grown to be a "complete maiden". The girls would gather in groups of about ten and start making rounds of the village singing songs praising the beauty of the maiden and her lover, the industry of the farmer, the purity of maternal love and expressing wishes for happiness and prosperity.

The Orthodox Christian Church dedicates this day to Lazarus, whom Jesus raised on the fourth day after his burial. According to medieval writings Lazarus lived another 30 years in strict fasting and abstinence, and was named first bishop of the city of Kition on the island of Cyprus.

24th April, Tsvetnitsa (Palm Sunday) Tsvetnitsa (from tsvete — flower) or otherwise called Vrabnitsa (from varba — willow) is one of the biggest Bulgarian holidays, rich in a variety of customs, songs and melodies. The holiday is held annually on the last Sunday before Easter and it is the Bulgarian people’s belief that this is the holiday of the fields, meadows and forests.

Being one of the most beautiful spring holidays it celebrates the day of the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when he was welcomed with palms and olive branches. Bulgarian Orthodox tradition uses more readily-available willow branches instead of palm ones, and people wind them into small crowns they put on the head of young kids for health and blessing.

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Italy’s 71st Anniversary of theLiberation

by Crista Conticelli, wife of the Italian Ambassador in Bulgaria

Italian Liberation Day falls on the 25th of April. It’s called “Festa della Liberazione” and commemorates the end of the Second World War in Italy, the restoration of national unity and the beginning of a new democratic path for the country. Numerous events, such as concerts, parades and street celebrations are organized to mark this occasion all over the country and includes all generations; which provides an opportunity not to forget the past and act accordingly.

Over 70 years have passed since 25th of April 1945 and so many things have changed, nevertheless the fundamental significance of this anniversary is as relevant as ever. It underlines the importance of values such as freedom, peace, solidarity and justice that animated the moral revolt against the horrors of war, the inhuman violence of Nazi-Fascism and the oppression of an authoritarian system.

These values are the ethical foundation of the Nation and remain particularly topical - even beyond the purely national - in meeting the current political, social and humanitarian challenges at European and International level.

In this sense, “La Festa della Liberazione” is also a reminder of the need to “get involved” with commitment and courage in securing our shared future.

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Charity update Dear IWC members, I am very glad to inform you that three charities supported by IWC have been selected to participate in the “I know Bulgaria” national campaign co-promoted by the Ministry of Tourism and GTC Bulgaria. IWCSofia is an official partner for this event and is helping to identify charities in each of the food festival locations. The three charities are: Association for Children with Oncohematological Diseases in Sofia, Karin Dom in Varna and Child and Space in Rousse.

In Plovdiv, Bourgas and Veliko Turnovo the event will fundraise for families with reproductive problems.

In Stara Zagora all money collected during the event will go towards purchasing equipment for the local ambulance service, according to a request made by the Municipality.

I would like to welcome all of you who are interested to join us to for a small ceremony involving a charity donation which will be handed over to Association Child and Space. This in-kind donation (kitchen supply products) is kindly provided by NovoNordisc, one of the Nordic stall bazaar donor companies. The date is April 11th – start at 10:00 am. Meeting point is Pliska hotel at 9:45 am.

Best regards,

Maria Ilieva

2nd April, Autism Awareness Month Written by Kristi Campbell Kristi is a semi-lapsed career woman with about 18 years of marketing experience in a variety of national and global technology companies. While she does work part-time, her passion is writing and drawing stupidlooking pictures for her blog Finding Ninee, focused on finding humor and support for her special needs son.

The word autism entered my heart as a whisper.

It later entered my brain as a possibility. Later still, it entered my life. I think I knew, long before I knew.

He did play though, unlike the boy in the book, so certainly, his issues were different. Less “severe?”

Never mind that he had an egg-sized bruise on his forehead for six weeks at the age of 18 months from banging his head on the floor. As quickly as that behavior started, it went away. I stopped worrying about it. I mean, it no longer existed. Sure, he ran laps around the house. But only when he was tired. Don’t all kids do that? Don’t they all twirl their hair, around and around and around, while drinking a bottle?

I worried, bought a book on autism, devoured it, and then felt like that must not be what my son has. He was nothing like the boy in the book.

Nothing. ”Maybe,” I thought, “he just has a language delay.”

I waited for him to start speaking more. For him to start playing in the way that he was supposed to play.

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I’ve mentioned before that parents and friends assured us that Tucker would catch up, and that his delays were likely due to me being at home with him as a baby.

They were wrong. I was wrong.

I remember one day, when I looked at my son and with a fearful, time-stopping heart, I wondered whether he was deaf. He wasn’t responding to me that day. Then, I gave him a little at-home test, and he responded. I let myself believe that everything was fine. What did I know?

I had no other child in the house to compare him to. He loves to snuggle, and, from what I’d read, autistic children do not.

He looks at me in the eyes. Deeply. With meaning and intent. I’d already learned from Dr. Google that children with autism don’t make eye contact…

Here. Four years later. Does Tucker look like anything other than a little boy having fun in the snow?

Autism doesn't look like anything but the way it looks. It doesn't look like Rain Man. It doesn't always include hand-flapping, rocking, or issues with language. Sometimes, it does. But, sometimes, it doesn't.

Last night, I reached out to my IRL PAC tribe. I asked them what they wish the world knew about autism and special needs, and have put the below list together based on their feedback.

10 Things Special Needs and Autism Parents Wish You Knew: 1. People don’t need to feel awkward when they’re around my son. Yeah, they may need to treat him a little differently, but I wish they wouldn’t be weirded out.

help how his body receives stimuli. He is trying to cope with the way his body is affected by his surroundings.

9. From onlookers who think I am not addressing my child’s odd behaviors: I ask for a little empathy.

Don’t judge. Try to understand that his environment strongly affects him.

2. Not all autism is the same.

3. People seem to think that because my son isn’t like the one single other person they know on the spectrum, that he must not be autistic.

10. Please accept our kids the way that you assume we will accept yours.

4. These kids love. They need love. They are wonderful and bring enormous joy and laughter to those who love them.

I think I’m speaking for all of us when I say that what we really want you to know, what we’re screaming out loud, is that we, as mothers, are both terrified and brave.

5. Knowing one child with autism doesn’t mean anything really – they’re all so different. Please don’t tell me my son doesn’t have it because he looks so different from the other kid you know on the spectrum.

Just like you.

That while our children may act differently from what you’re familiar with, they are our normals. That they’re full of emotion, fierce love, tender hearts, and hope.

6. Kids with special needs are smart. Talented. Creative, and thoughtful. It may not be obvious all the time – their minds work differently.

7. If my daughter is making strange noises, feel free to look. She’s just making them because she’s excited. Please don’t stand there and gape at us with your mouth hanging open.

Hope.

Our special needs kids are here, on purpose, and OutLoud.

8. If you see my son in a grocery store, he may be head nuzzling, chewing on the corner of his shirt, or spinning. He’s anxious. I will not scold him, so please do not look at me as if I should. He can’t

Even when they’re silent. https://www.autismspeaks.org

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Executive Board 2016-2017 Nominees

listed by position in alphabetical order

President Dear ladies, I would like to continue as President on the executive board for another year. I have really enjoyed being part of the board this last year and feel with another year I can help give stability to recent partnerships such as the International Food Festival and the Women's Business Forum.

We are also still in the process of finding office space and I would like to to be able to secure the very best deal that will suit our needs now and into the future.

We need to strengthen our cur-

rent partnerships with donors and also need to think ahead and how we can make new partnerships for our fundraising projects such as the annual bazaar.

Angela Bird

I have previously served on the board as second vice president and bazaar coordinator and over the years have seen the club and charity foundation grow in professionalism and reputation and I would be very proud to be able to represent the club for another year.

Regards, Angela Bird

Dear Nomination Committee and IWC Members,

Albena A. Jones

I am writing to express my interest in the IWC President position.

I have tremendously enjoyed being part of the IWC in the last year.

As an assistant Bazaar co-coordinator and the media ambassador of our main charity event, it was my pleasure to contribute for the successful planning, execution and after events of the 2015 IWC Charity Bazaar.

As the English conversational group (ECG) coordinator, I am thrilled that so many of you ladies attend and enjoy the Thursday sessions to improve your oral English language skills.

I am aware that the Presidential role is of utmost importance and I am ready and up for this challenge. My last position in the UK was as a Financial analyst (specialist in Eastern European markets) for Bloomberg LP. Having worked in multicultural and multinational organizations in the UK and Bulgaria for over 20 years, I have gained valuable experience - vast financial and business knowledge, confidence, decision making and problem solving qualities and effective team work and team management skills combined with my ambitions nature and dedication to bring successful conclusions. My linguistic range covers — English, Bulgarian, Russian and Arabic.

As an MD of my own company, I have business acumen and an innovative outlook, which I believe are important attributes for the IWC Presidential candidate. After all our main goal is to raise funds for the needy, as a businesswoman I have a lot of fresh ideas how as a team of brilliant international ladies we can expand the good work of the IWC, have fun along the way and be proud of our achievements.

I am honored and grateful for the nomination and I thank you all for this opportunity.

Yours sincerely, Albena A. Jones 10

Vice-President

Executive Board 2016-2017 Nominees

Dushica J. Trkulja I came to Bulgaria in 1991 from Bosnia and ever since then I am a member of the IWC. We moved to Sofia in order to work in the Trade Representative Office and together with my husband we have managed to develop significantly the trade relations between these two countries.

Over the past 17 years I was the coordinator of IWC "Hand-made and Patchwork Group" and every year we participated in the Charity Bazaar selling our handmade product. I trained numerous members of the IWC patchwork techniques and we also had exhibitions for a wider audience in Sofia on different occasions.

Nadya Wuisan-Bratanova My name is Nadya Wu i s a n - B r a t a n o v a and I would like to apply for the position of Vice President in the IWC Sofia Bulgaria.

I have followed your organization and admired your work for several years now. I first learned about IWC organization when I moved to Bulgaria in 2008 following my husband’s career move in his home country.

IWC really opened up a new beginning for my social life in a country where everything was still foreign to me.

Through my experience with the club, I realized that like me, there are many other women who were going through similar hardship and obstacles in their journey of making this new place their home — the members of IWC; therefore the 11

I was a member of IWC Board in 1996 when my responsibility was in accounting. I have a comprehensive knowledge regarding the IWC work and in particular its charity aspect. For my long lasting participation in the club I was nominated as a member of honor.

I have a degree in Forest Engineering and I speak English, Bulgarian and Bosnian — Croatian — Serbian languages.

This year I went into retirement and that will allow me to dedicate my time to the work of IWC. I hope that during the following year we as IWC can provide support where it is the most needed and that the club will be a great place for meeting and friendship.

Thank you so much for your kind consideration.

Yours sincerely, Dushica J. Trkulja

club itself has really helped me overcome these difficulties and made me more at peace in a place I now can call home. I would therefore love to give back to the club and apply my skills, expertise and passion towards this great organization and helping to steer it towards even greater accomplishments.

I am committed to giving the best I can towards IWC goals and mission. In additions to that, I will give my all to prove it with my work and dedication.

A brief history of my professional experiences: •I graduated in 2008 from Griffith University in Brisbane-Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce, double majoring in International Human Resource Management and Business Management.

•My first work professional work experience was in Bulgaria for my husband’s company, I did a year and a half interning as an independent project contractor for a sports facilities construction company. I was the English language spoke person for the company and the representation for their overseas market & clients. continued on page 12

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•After that I found myself working for the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria (also for Albania at the time) as the Secretary to the Indonesian Ambassador from 2010-2011. For the short duration of work there, I did a lot of formal & routine correspondences with other embassies, institutes and government departments; also I learned a lot of formal and “political” verbal and nonverbal communications skills which I think is applicable to the role that I am interested in this organization.

•Since 2011 until now, I am the co-owner and co-director of Ambience Occasions, a company that specializes in wedding decoration and organizing in Bali. On average the weddings we usually design were for 200 + guests, we formatted the whole business medias (accounting, invoices, proposals, marketing, etc.). I managed all the social networking (website, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and Pinterest). We are always hands on with our filed work for all of our projects. Since 2014, when I was expecting a child, I returned to Bulgaria and became a silent partner in the business.

am looking forward to commence in.

•I am active socially with different organizations and expat groups in Sofia; I belong to a diverse circle of various social groups either foreigners or Bulgarian (e.g. *besides IWC, Internations, Rotary club, BulgAlien, Foreigners in Sofia and friends, English speaking mum and dads in Sofia, etc).

•Recently I am very active with English speaking mother’s group as well as the “bootcamp” exercise group which I am organizing for the foreign mothers.

•I am also a qualified Pilates instructor and in my spare time sometimes do private classes.

•My Bulgarian isn’t the best, but after 8 years in the country, I think I can say that it is progressing very well.

I am looking forward for this opportunity to use my knowledge, motivation and dedication to support such a worthy organization, as for the first time in my professional life I am able to commit the time necessary to offer my skills as an influential member in an environment where I can bring real value to the board. I am particularly looking for a role where I can bring relevant skill set to an already solid existing board experience to strengthen my skill base and give back to the community.

A little bit about my personal life: •I am a proud housewife and a mother to a 2 year old daughter, Arabella. She will soon be enrolling to a daycare so I will have ample time to pursue various projects and activities that I

Nadya Wuisan-Bratanova

Treasurer

Kelsa Smith-Mouskourova

In addition, my previous board experience, both in 2011 and this past year, makes me an ideal candidate.

Dear Nominating Committee: Please accept this letter as my official acceptance/application for candidacy for the position of Treasurer of the International Women's Club of Sofia for the club year 2015 — 2016. I have been honored to serve the club for the past seven months in said position.

The position of Treasurer is very demanding and requires previous financial experience. As such, I feel it important to tell you that I was the Financial and Human Resources Director of E-Poll Market Research for five years, handling a yearly budget of five million U.S. dollars.

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I have served as Vice President and President of the Consular Spouses Association in Toronto, California State President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Communication Chair for the American Women's Club of Toronto, Treasure of the San Fernando Valley Intergroup and many other positions over the years. I have more than twenty-five years of experience being of service to various organizations. I am a team player and very much love what I am able to do for the club.

Warm Regards, Kelsa

Bazaar Coordinator

great experience. I discovered how challenging and at the same time how satisfying this task can be. There is nothing more international, more multicultural than the Annual Charity Bazaar. It is a great challenge that needs to be worked out hard in order to achieve and even surpass all the goals set upon us. That’s why I applied last year for the position of Bazaar Coordinator. And of course I not even did not regret it but I enjoyed it so much that I really would like to do it again.

Toi Castelló i Reñé

Dear Ladies, My name is Toi Castelló i Reñé. I come from Spain and I’ve been living in Sofia for almost 9 years, although I have joined the IWC 5 years ago.

My background is in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. I have always worked in the Tourism Industry, in different counties around the world (Germany, France, Italy, USA), in different hotel departments (Front Office, Animation, F&B, Marketing and Events etc.) and more than 15 years as a Hotel General Manager for Riu Hotels and Resorts, a Spanish Company based in Mallorca with hotels in Bulgaria.

I speak English, French, German, Italian and Bulgarian. Being Spaniard my mother languages are Catalan and Spanish.

My personal interests include travelling, cooking, reading, painting, meeting friends and... and ... karaoke!!!

For the first time I came to Bulgaria in spring of 2003 to open a Riu Hotel at the seaside.

There I met my husband, a wonderful Bulgarian man, and after 3 summers opening hotels at the Black Sea we decided to get married and I gave up my carrier to move to Bulgaria. Maybe not permanently but for long term stay.

Two years ago, I helped at the Bazaar organisation as Stallholder Coordinator. It was a

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Working continuously with many people, I realised that we all work in the same direction, we all volunteer for a charity project, not only me, all the people from every stall. We all focus on the people who need our support and our efforts in order to survive. I saw enthusiasm and joy in all the people who were preparing their stalls, decorating, cooking and dancing.

People who showed us the best of their countries. I saw all the stalls helping each other in a joint-effort project. To me there were no individual stalls, we were all one big stall of the international community of Sofia who was making this project come true.

When I was young, I used to think that I would like to be part of an NGO, helping others, going to countries in greatest need, but I guess I never got the chance. Very often it is difficult for us to leave everything behind, deny our comfortable life in order to go abroad and help people who are in need. The IWC Charity Bazaar gave me this opportunity, the opportunity to be useful for others. I can now say that I am feeling helpful whilst being at home, there is no need to go to other countries, there are people who need our help right here, where we live, very close to us. It makes me happy that I can help them.

This year, I want to help again and I believe that after the experience of last year, I am qualified to fulfil the requirements of Bazaar Coordinator position and make the event as successful as last year or even more.

See all of you at the 2016 IWC Charity Bazaar.

Sincerely, Toi

Charity Chair

Nara Vasconcelos Barreto

wards me with more profound meanings into belonging to the IWC membership. Year after year, I never stop being amazed by the spirit of volunteerism built around the work for our Annual Christmas Bazaar, which must be honored in every aspect. Now that my sons are taking their Doctor of Music courses, I predict we have only a few years before leaving Bulgaria. So I feel this is my right moment to get organized and join the charity cause towards the underprivileged communities in Bulgaria with my full personal efforts.

Being now able to speak the Bulgarian language, I feel honored to hereby apply for the IWC Charity Chairperson board position and hope to be given such opportunity.

I am a Brazilian musician and mother who moved to Bulgaria in 2006 seeking classical music training for my 2 teenager sons, Pedro - a violinist and Davi - a cello player. My husband is also a retired concertmaster violinist, therefore our musical family found in Bulgaria a very suitable and pleasant place to live at. Back in Brazil, I have mainly worked as a music teacher at the prestigious Campinas State University in Sao Paulo (UNICAMP) and director of cultural institutions, such as the fabulous Theatro Jose de Alencar (https:// pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatro_JosĂŠ_de_Alencar).

I am currently the chairperson of the international branch of the Zenon Barreto Cultural Institute, now focusing on Music and Art exchange programs between Brazil and Bulgaria.

Within the IWC activities, I have as well had some chances to organize a number of Charity Concerts with the participation of artists from abroad, involving embassies and the international community in Sofia, which eventually achieved great success and helped in promoting the IWC's positive visibility.

How do I believe my services can benefit the IWC? With the exception of the Christmas Bazaar, the IWC has still a need, in my view, to recognize the importance of cultural exchange related to its charity platform, deepening understanding of Bulgaria on the part of our foreign members and enriching the reciprocal relation among those and the locals. Due to my work in the field of Arts and Culture exchange, I hope to help on strengthening such interrelation, while fostering trust, transparency, respect and fair-play related to a more active participation within the IWC charity activities. I understand a healthy, reliable, joyful and motivated Charity Committee is very important to keep inspired the whole IWC membership and beyond. On this purpose, I believe in broadening means of communication, sharpening criteria for our charity actions and delegating power to the Charity Committee members (according to their ability and desire), as well as caring about our member's sense of belonging and their rights of being kept well informed about all that is going on. These principles honor the volunteer spirit indeed stated in our constitution and will definitely help on building a larger and stronger Charity Team, which in turn will feed our work and routine with the necessary enthusiasm and companionship. In the ideal expectation, the visibility of our Charity actions shall thus be maximized, inside and outside the IWC.

My motivation for seeking the Charity Chairperson board position: I am grateful to the IWC for all personal support I have received as a foreigner individual living in the country of Bulgaria - which I have learned to love as my own. Being an IWC member for almost 10 years now, I have once served as vice-president and very regularly as a bazaar team member. Above social life and touristic activities, no doubt the charity work takes me beyond obvious and superficial daily tasks, and re-

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Mladost Soup kitchen visit

March Coffee Morning

International Women’s Day Lunch at Park Inn by Radisson

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A day at the Convent of St. Peter and Paul in Lozen The monastery was founded in the 13th century. At the end of the 14th century, when Urvich, Sredets the whole region of Sofia fell under Ottoman rule, the monastery was destroyed. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was abandoned definitively but was restored in the 17th century. Written records, the oldest one from 1671, testify that there was a school in the monastery with a teacher Yakim from Sofia and students from Sofia and the surrounding villages. In 16711694 there was a literary and calligraphic school.

In 1737 the monastery became a centre of the Uprising of the bishops of Sofia and Samokov. It was quelled in late July and early August 1737. By an order of Ali Pasha Kyupryulyuoglu, some 350 Sofia citizens, priests, monks and people from the surrounding villages were killed, including bishop St. Simeon of Samokov. After the participation of monks in the Uprising, the Monastery of Sveti Spas was destroyed again by the Turks.

In 1821 the monastery was restored again on the old foundations. The one-apse, one-nave Church of Holy Ascension was constructed.

Today Lozen monastery houses only two nuns, the novice Christina and the abbess mother Agatha. In recent years, one of the residential wings, the monk cells and the two-storey guest house were restored. One of the pre-existing chapels is being currently reconstructed. On the recently restored church old altar, there can be seen original icons from the period 1850–1890. The frescoes located in the three domes are also restored. The entire outer western façade was covered with frescoes, which unfortunately now are almost completely wiped out.

The monastery is located in a dense oak forest. In the vicinity there are several springs with cold mountain water. This, and the fact that it is accessible from Dolni Lozen (10 km from Sofia) for about an hour on foot and for 15 minutes by car, make it a preferred place for picnics.

Liberation in 1878 a school with several large rooms and a separate room for the teacher was constructed next to the monastery. Until 1900 the monastery was male and then was converted into a female abode.

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Today Lozen monastery houses only two nuns, the novice Christina and the abbess mother Agatha. In recent years, one of the residential wings, the monk cells and the two-storey guest house were restored. One of the pre-existing chapels is being currently reconstructed. On the recently restored church old altar, there can be seen original icons from the period 1850–1890. The frescoes located in the three domes are also restored. The entire outer western façade was covered with frescoes, which unfortunately now are almost completely wiped out.

After a beautiful day and nice stroll in the monastery we ended up in a very good restaurant.

Thank you to Kelsa and Jorge we loved this day and we vowed to return. We thank you for organizing this beautiful journey!

See you soon for new adventures!

Sory Almonacid de Jan

Membership news In Memoriam

Lyuba Boyanina Dear ladies, friends, The sad news that our beloved friend Lyuba Boyanina is not among us anymore came so unexpectedly and instilled such big pain!

Luba was an IWC member from the creation of the Club and was working hard for the image of Bulgaria, educating us about the great history of the country, showing us the beauty of nature, the traditions and the local folklore.

The beacon of light lit by Lyuba through her Lyuba Tours will be taken over from her son Yuri and her co-workers Stefan and Sirma. They were very kind to be guests at our March Coffee Morning gathering where we all had the opportunity to pay a modest tribute to Lyuba!

So long dear Friend!

Teddy Houry 19

Birthdays Dora Billingsley, 2nd April Andrea Kaiser, 2nd April Albena Matova-Berova, 6th April Denitsa Pettersen, 8th April Jenny Cobble, 17th April

Elitsa Collot, 18th April Anne Bang Pettersen, 22nd April Pamela MacPherson, 24th April Giusi Gagliano, 26th April

Announcements IWC member Marieta Neykova is selling a soviet piano in a very good condition together with the large set of published music sheets and a piano stool. The price is decent: 200 Euro or 400 leva.

Please contact Marieta Neykova for more information on 0889 84 93 54 or Neykova-mp@dir.bg.

Ongoing activities Charity Action Group

Golf

The group meets once a quarter to discuss new charity projects, the progress of ongoing projects, and the finances of the Charity Foundation. Part of the follow-up is frequent visits to these projects. If you want to make a difference and contribute something please join us! The date and place of the next meeting is published in the monthly newsletter.

Contact Maria Ilieva on 0878 300 561 or at charity@iwcsofia.org.

We play every Wednesday morning at St. Sofia Golf Club and Spa. I you are a golf player and would like to join us, please contact Raquel Azrak at arevaloraq@gmail.com.

Patchwork Group The group meets every Monday from 10:00am –12:00pm at Dusica Trkulja’s apartment. The address is Evlogy Georgiev 99, floor 6, apartment 27. Interested ladies are welcome to bring ideas, patterns, and materials. For more information, please contact Dusica Trkulja on her landline: 02 980 0948.

Book Club Members read one book a month, and then get together to discuss the book (discussions are in English and are usually very fun and lively). We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from writers of all nationalities. There is a morning (meeting once a month on Thursday) and an evening group (meeting on Mondays). For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@yahoo.com or Jean Olson: jean.olson@yahoo.com.

Bridge

English Conversation Group We are five native English speakers who take it in turns to lead a weekly conversation group every Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Different venues and topics are chosen every week. All members and all levels are welcome. If you would like to join the sessions, please e-mail Albena Jones at albenajones@yahoo.co.uk.

Updated info

Spanish Conversation Group

The bridge group is renewing its playing sessions once a week starting from April as the private bridge club ”King of clubs” is not open during morning hours any more. Interested members are invited to play bridge with us. A place of the meeting will be fixed for each session. There is an English-speaking group and a French-speaking group. For more information contact Diana Kolarova: dianakolarova @yahoo.com, 0888 423 150 or Marieta Neykova: neykova-mp@dir.bg, 0889 84 93 54.

Everybody who wants to practice and improve her Spanish is welcome to or weekly meetings. Also, if you are already fluent in Spanish or if you are a native speaker and you would like to participate, please contact Liliana Padilla by e-mail: lilianagpadilla@gmail.com.

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Tennis

Bootcamp

Updated info

A group of members are starting to regularly play tennis together. We are of mixed ability and if you wish to join us or get on the regular email list then please contact Ruth Thompson at ruthntony@verizon.net.

Updated info

We are an English language exercise group. We meet every Wed and Fri at 10.30 am. Wed outdoor "bootcamp" is at the park behind CCS mall with Costa coffee as a meeting point. Fri is our "PiYo" (pilates/yoga) session at Play Sport Center studio at Blvd. Cherni Vruh 8 block 4. It is walking distance from CCS (app. 1 min walk). Our group began as a group of international mothers who get together to get back in shape after pregnancy. We evolved since then to include other fellow ladies to join our health and fitness movement. Motivated by our expert instructor Ivan Germanov, we spend up to 1 hour of great workout with plenty encouragement and support to reach our fitness goals while enjoying exercise in a group atmosphere. Any level is welcome! Fees are: 60 Leva for 5 trainings valid 1 month; OR Pay per training 15 Leva. Contact Nadya Wuisan-Bratanova on email: nw.bratanova@gmail.com.

Hiking Club The hiking group is an energetic group of dedicated hikers who head up to Vitosha and the surrounding mountains every Friday. We usually meet at 9 am at Fantastico in Dragelevtsi. An email is sent to all hikers every Wednesday with more specific plans and this often includes different meeting points. A typical hike will bring us back to our meeting point at 2 or 3. For more information please write to Monika or Bistra: monika.slosarikova@gmail.com/biskarakoleva@gmail.com .

April events gluten free food. Sign up at MCM no deposit, each person pay for own lunch/order. Contact Becky on 0879 119 150.

Thursday, 7th April 4.00pm: ‘Town Hall’ meeting Are you ready and prepared to vote at the April Annual General Assembly? Come to meet your candidates at a ‘Town Hall’ gathering in the IWC office. The Nominating Committee are our hosts for this event. Show your support and prepare your questions. All are welcome, but please R.S.V.P. to office@iwc-sofia.org if you are coming.

Thursday, 14th April 10.30am: English Chatter Special French Colombian coffee at Sory’s place in Simeonovo. Let's include this week's English Conversation Group. Call Sory on 0884 165 459.

Monday, 11th April

Monday, 18th April

10.00am: Child and Space Association charity visit We will hand-in some kitchen equipment kindly supplied

by NovoNordisc, one of the Nordic stall donors. Meeting point is Pliska hotel at 9:45 am. Contact Maria on 0879 119 154.

10.00am: Icons: Art or Prayer?

Let’s meet at Sofia University (Kiril & Methodius) central hall for a unique hour of icon discussion, explanation and even a chance to draw. Led by Zlatina, contact Becky at MCM to sign up please; 10 leva.

Tuesday, 12th April

Tuesday, 19th April

10.30am: Monthly Coffee Morning and AGM The Board of the International Women’s Club is calling an Annual General Meeting at 11:15am in Matti-d according to article 9e of the IWC constitution, with the following agenda: 1. Acceptance of the annual report of the Executive Board; 2. Acceptance of the annual report of the Treasurer; 3. Electing a new Executive Board.

Registration for the AGM will start at 10:30am and will end at 11:15am. If there is no quorum the AGM will take place the same day at 12:15pm in the same place with the same agenda. All written documents related to the suggested voting agenda are available at the IWC office.

10.30am: Across Cultures & Customs Meet at Costa Coffee, Paradise Mall for Coffee & Discussion; Do we move effectively from one culture to another? How comfortable are we in multicultural settings? Do we cling & stay with people of our own ethnicity, or mix and move about freely; Franziska Bieri (Swiss), Becky Faber (USA) and Liliana Padilla (Argentinian) share ways you-&-they cope with cultural diversity. Let’s allow cultural differences to teach & draw us together rather than isolate and divide us. Sign up at MCM, no deposit. Contact Franziska on 0878 705 164.

Wednesday, 13th April

10.00am: Free osteopathic consultation Do you suffer from back trouble or find you no longer walk well? Come for a free consultation to the "back" ladies; See Anna and Emma trained in the UK to discuss

Wednesday, 20th April

11.30am: Spring Lady’s lunch Join us at Soul Kitchen for an IWC get-to-gather. It’s in a central location and has fantastic vegetarian choices and 21

April events

continued

HEALING & improvement for your back. Deposit 10 leva. Address: 6 Dr. Marin Rusev, Lozenetz. Sign up at MCM or contact Anna: info@osteopathy.bg ; 0884 212 155.

Wednesday, 20th April 12.00pm: Indonesian brunch Come to Nadya's new apt in Studentski Grad. Limit: 15 people. The address is ul. Akademik Stefan Mladenov 46 (Sonique Apt.; big black curvy building) top floor (9), 1001B. You can find parking in front or on the side of the apartment on ul. Atanas Manchev, where the entrance is (right in front of the sign for club Versai). Sign up at MCM. Contact Nadya on 0876 556544 or nw.bratanova@gmail.com.

Friday, 29th April 7.00 pm: An Evening Glass of Wine This event is open to all members, their partners and friends. Join in a relaxed wine night out with Angela.

Sign up at MCM so they can choose the best table for number. Address: The Cocktail Bar, 9A Angel Kanchev St. Contact Angela on 0879 119 152.

April calendar

4.00pm: ‘Town Hall’ meeting

10.00am: Charity visit

10.30am: Annual 11.30am: Spring General Meeting Lady’s lunch

10.00am: Icons: Art or Prayer?

10.30am: Across Cultures & Customs

10.30am: English Chatter

10.00am: Free osteo consultation 12.00pm: Indonesian brunch

7.00 pm: An Evening Glass of Wine

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