Celebrating 25 years iwc by IWC-Sofia

Celebrating

25 years

www.iwc-sofia.org

ello and welcome to the 25th Anniversary IWC-Sofia souvenir booklet. I feel very honoured to be the President in this the 25th year of such a great organisation and to be following in the footsteps of impressive and active former Presidents and members.

What started out as a way of expat and diplomatic wives and girlfriends seeking friendship and putting their time and talents to good use in the small charity sector here in Bulgaria, has grown to a professional organisation with a turnover last year of over 330,000 leva (€165,000). Last December we held our 19th Annual Charity Bazaar. The first bazaar held in 1994 raised $3000 (the equivalent of $4740 or €3459 today). This event has now become the single biggest charity event in Bulgaria and last year, with sponsorship and donations, raised a total of 313,000 leva ($220,000 or €157,000). With that money we are able to help 20+ worthy causes here in Bulgaria. However, one of the unique aspects of our club is that it doesn’t exist just to make money but is still seeking to help international women arriving here in Sofia to settle in, to make friends, to discover the good things about living in Bulgaria and to help with some of the difficulties that living in a country other than your own brings. I wonder if anyone thought in 1989 that it would still be going strong 25 years later and being so successful?! My thanks to my fellow board members for their hard work, to all involved in the organisation of the celebrations and particularly to Paromita for the time and effort she has spent compiling this booklet. Here’s to our future success! Best regards President IWC-Sofia 2013-2015

he idea of compiling the club’s history was put to me early last year, at which point I agreed that it would be a good idea to put together everything we know about the International Women’s Club of Sofia in one easily accessible format. My own workload did not allow me to immediately take on the project, and knowing that we were coming up to the 25th anniversary of the club I was able to persuade the then president, Avantica, that 2014 would be the right time to take on this task. Unfortunately, as soon as I had started the project I realised it was not going to be an easy task. There are no records from the early years, the first presidents of the club do not appear in ‘Google’ searches and could not be traced and generally there was not a lot to go on. Silwia Pantiew from Austria is the longest running member of the IWC (since 1989) and I thank her for sharing some of her recollections with me, although as you will appreciate these too are sketchy. I myself first joined the IWC in September 1994, pregnant with my first child and started to get more actively involved from May 1995 onwards. I have served on the board twice, once as newsletter editor in 1996, and then as president in 2000. For some reason I always kept my newsletters from that period, they have been a great memory jog as well as the wonderful scrapbook that was started by Georgianne Rollmann in 1995. Unfortunately a second scrapbook started around 2000 by Cathy McElhannon seems to have disappeared. When I started my own business in 2003 I became less active in the club but have always remained a staunch supporter. For me personally, the IWC made such a huge difference to my life as I settled in Bulgaria, newly married and with a small child. Many of the friendships formed in the early years have lasted through to today and Christine Milner whom I met at the monthly meeting in May 1995 has been a good friend ever since, and my business partner since 2003. It is hard to imagine what my life in Bulgaria would have been like if it hadn’t been for the IWC. I was very keen to put together a history of the club, before even my own memories faded! In the end however I realised that a history of the IWC would not only be extremely labour intensive but also a bit dry and probably very incomplete. Instead, together with Lynne we decided that this booklet with snippets of facts and figures, anecdotes and photographs would better reflect the club’s history and celebrate the spirit of the last 25 years. We hope you agree! Thank you to all who contributed. Wishing the IWC and all its members past and present all the very best for the next 25 years. Yours sincerely, Co-publisher of ‘Sofia- the insider’s guide’ and ‘In your pocket Bulgaria’ www.inyourpocket.com/bulgaria

Bulgaria omers to c w e n g n ria d assisti g of Bulga oming an erstandin d n u gg Welc d n a embers ledge ng club m ring know o e m h a rt u ip F h y ds gg and frien communit goodwill the local g to n ri rt o te s p o p l su gg F d materia ancial an cts n fi g in iv je gg G harity pro through c

1990/91 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Gerta Gricheny (Austria) Muneerah Kolarov (Kuwait) Brigitte van Werkhoven (D) Anneke de Vries (NL) Janet Blum (USA) Gisela Fuchs (D) / Renate Wurzer (A) Natalia Gioffre (I) Sally Hoover (USA) / Charo Bilhartz (USA) Charo Bilhartz (USA) Paromita Sanatani (D) Cathy McElhannon (USA) Eileen Regan (GB) Sibylle Meier-Klodt (D) Maria Novak (Slovenia) Medi Al Jabouri (BG) Marianna Hill (BG / GB) Marianna Hill Vanessa Chantal Kemp (Australia) Stephanie Congost (France) Valia Batista (Cuba) Valia Batista Avantica Shinde (India/DK) Lynne Godding (GB) Lynne Godding

, Regi net Blum Board: Ja , Jennie rn u 1995 The kb oc ezhana C e Ziesende Wit, Sn orin, Heid Beatrice G , d n la ol ijk H eesw ith van H henne, Ed

1996 Handing over to the new board: Paromita Vlaytchev, Ellen Joosten, Sheila Desheneaux, Bridget Kissinger, Dorothy Bell, Gisela Fuchs (not pictured)

1999 Board: Anita Ivanova, Laila Lewis, Charo Bilhartz, Milena Bokova, Selma Harrington, Laura Dufrat

Six former presidents at the 20th anniversary celebration, from left to right: Marianna Hill, Maria Novak, Paromita Sanatani, Cathy McElhannon, Stephanie Congost and Eileen Regan.

2003 Presid ent Sibylle MeierKlodt keep ing things under control on a charity vi sit.

2011 Opening of the Cha rity Bazaar at the Inter Expo Centre; Maria Ilieva, Valia Batista and Marian na McLaren with guest of honour Meg lena Kuneva

the Soup 2005 Visit to Borissov Mayor Boiko

Kitchen with

2010 Ladies of the Club w ith Margarita G贸 mez-Acebo y Cejuela

2013 IWC President Lynne God attends R ding oyal visit to Bulgari Prince Ed a by ward and Sophie

2010 Ch arity Con cert Awarene ss with So for Breast Healt h ry Jan an concelos d Nara V (centre), asVali and Mari anna McL a Batista (right) aren (kn eeling)

nina first lady, Anto 1997 Bulgaria’s ssa SofianAli d an ) re nt Stoyanova (ce end the fia’s mayor) att ska (wife of So in NDK Charity Bazaar

1999 International Women’s day celebration at the Swedish Residence, (centre) President Natalia Gioffre

zer (second t Renate Wur 1996 Presiden s introduces er lp he r he from left) with C Bazaar alls to the IW nationality st

gianne r kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Geor 1994 Caps fo ish conversa gl En r he d Rollmann an y the caps la sp di y dl ou tion group pr children at itted for the they have kn phanage Montana or

1994 The patchwork quilt created by IWC members for the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5th anniversary

A regular bridge gro up from the early yea rs

nfortunately not much documentation is available from this period. The International Women’s Club started off in 1989 as a support group for foreign women, primarily diplomatic or business spouses who found themselves isolated in ‘socialist’ Bulgaria. With very little to do and obvious restrictions on movements or contact with the local community, the ladies would get together on a regular basis for coffee or lunch at the Sheraton Hotel.

The first newsletter was published in January 1992 (but sadly the oldest copy available is from November 1993) Newsletters were produced courtesy of the Apple Center and distributed through Embassies and the diplomatic apartment blocks. For those not with an embassy the newsletter could be collected from either the Apple Centre or the Hotel Sheraton front desk – on the last 3 days of the month. Contributions to the newsletter could be dropped off at the Apple Centre on Vasil Levski Blvd. next to the British Residence.

On 10th November 1989, one day after the fall of the Berlin Wall, massive antigovernment demonstrations in Sofia and the larger cities forced the dismissal of dictator Todor Zhivkov from the Bulgarian Communist Party. It was, however, a bloodless and somewhat slow revolution, with the former communist party remaining in power even after the first free, multi-party elections since World War 2 were held in June 1990, mostly due to the traditionally conservative votes of the rural electorate. (Sofia- the insider’s guide)

1993 Attendance at the Monthly Meeting, Hotel Vitosha (now Kempinski) September: 45, October: 35 2 course lunch at the Sheraton plus one glass of wine cost 350 leva Membership fee in 1993 was 520 leva.

Following the collapse of the iron curtain western businesses started to move to Bulgaria, although conditions were still tough. The IWC suddenly had a more significant role to play and membership grew rapidly. By June 1994 the club had over 160 members from 38 nationalities who found themselves very far removed from the creature comforts of their homes; no supermarkets, no ATM’s, no disposable nappies, no quality milk or butter or instant coffee! And in the markets only seasonal local produce – nothing exotic! There were the so called Dollar shops where one could buy some of these items with hard currency or else it meant regular trips across the border to Thessaloniki.

1994 Monthly afternoon tea was held 15:00 at the Park Hotel Moskva 9th Sept 1993 1 US$ = 27.40 leva 16th April 1994 1 US$= 54.50 leva First Charity Tennis Tournament was held October 1993, attended by 175 members of international community, Diplomatic Club. 43,000 leva were raised in aid of the Old People’s home in Knyazhevo and the orphanage in Pernik. Christmas 1994 Caps for Kids – hand knitted for the children at Montana Orphanage

March 1994 An exhibition of creative works by members; paintings, ceramics, needlework 5th Anniversary Friendship Patchwork Quilt 5th Anniversary Cookbook illustrated by Silwia Pantiew (on sale at 500 leva)

Nationality: Bosnian Where are you living now: in Sofia Years in Sofia: 1991-now IWC member: 1991-now What brought you to Sofia? Work How did you find out about the IWC? Friend told me Did you serve on the board of the IWC? I was a treasurer in 1996. Did you actively participate in the club activities? Over the last fifteen years I have participated in making handicrafts and I am running a patchwork group in the club. Every year, few months prior to the IWC Bazaar, I open my home to all women willing to participate in making toys, pillows, Christmas decorations, etc. that we then sell at the Bazaar as our financial contribution to all those people in need. Which were your favourite IWC activities? My favourite IWC activities are cooking demonstrations and English conversation group gatherings. I enjoy learning new things and by attending cooking demonstrations I have gathered collection of recipes from all over the world that I make for my family and friends. The English Conversation is an excellent group where IWC members support us in learning and developing our linguistic skills. Through the club activities I have also learned many other things as for instance related to the Bulgarian culture and history, Japanese cuisine and traditional tea ceremony, Indonesian batik, just to name some of them. What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? Everything that is related to patchwork; I collect patchwork related literature, exchange knowledge and experience with other club members. I like to introduce the world of patchwork to all interested ladies and offer free lessons related to the basic techniques. One of my greatest achievements were the patchwork exhibitions in the Slovak and Greek Embassies together with the fifteen IWC members that I have taught patchwork. It was just great! Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? I am still in contact with many former members of the IWC Sofia that are my dear friends, Betty, Sanja, Selma, Estela, Karin, Yoshiko, Zeljka, Ivona. I remember numerous wonderful occasions where we have shared time and friendship with the club members. I have also a photo collection related to our trips and gatherings. Anything else you would like to share? I would like to express my gratitude to all IWC Board and club members for their hard work. Being an honorary member I am aware what efforts are needed in order to maintain the activities at this level over the years. It is also through the IWC club activities that I got to know Bulgaria and it helped me to feel at home. Thank you!

Nationality: Dutch Where are you living now: The Netherlands Years in Sofia: 1993 ‒ 1997 IWC member: 1993 ‒ 1997 What brought you to Sofia? My husband was working at the Dutch Embassy How did you find out about the IWC? My husband and I have been posted in a lot of countries and from past experience I knew about the IWC. Did you serve on the board of the IWC? I was the President for one year: 1994/1995 Did you actively participate in the club activities? Anneke, ri ght, with Shirley Fo Frydenber We organised tennis tournaments and I gave ngg gym classes to a group of women and all the money went to charity. The proceeds went to an orphanage in Pernik and an old people’s home in Knyazhevo. I played bridge, tennis, and I skied. Additionally I participated in porcelain painting. Which were your favourite IWC activities? Although I liked most of the activities, my favourites were bridge, tennis and porcelain painting. What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? I had 4 great years, I enjoyed my stay in Bulgaria. My year of serving as President of the IWC was probably the most rewarding year of my stay in Bulgaria. What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? My proposal was to invite Bulgarian women who had lived abroad and returned to their home country, to become a member of the IWC. Unfortunately I did not succeed. At a special meeting the majority of the members voted against this proposal. Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? A former member, Jennie Holland, who now lives in the UK. We still mail each other on a regular basis.

Nationality: British Where are you living now: England Years in Sofia: 1994-1997 IWC member: 1994-1997 What brought you to Sofia? Ex-husband’s company How did you find out about the IWC? Through Sheraton Hotel manager Did you serve on the board of the IWC? Yes, 1995-1996. Editor ‒ doing the IWC Newsletter Did you actively participate in the club activities? Played in the bridge group and tennis, plus went on some of the trips organised Which were your favourite IWC activities? Tennis and bridge What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? Opportunities to meet people from other countries in what were extremely difficult times in the country, but very rewarding. What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? Producing the newsletter ‒ again, in difficult circumstances. Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? One current member (Paromita) and several members who no longer live in Bulgaria

he early and mid 1990s saw a tough period of transition. There were power, heating and food shortages, causing more mass demonstrations and strikes. Neither the BSP nor the UDF were capable of holding on to power or dealing with the economic hardships. Things reached rock bottom in 1996/1997 as banks went under, people lost their savings, and hyper inflation reached nearly 600%. The biggest and most violent demonstrations ever seen began on 10th January 1997 and ended when the socialist government resigned on February 4th, making way for the democratic UDF to win the April election. (Sofia – the insider’s guide) During this time the focus of the IWC started to shift more towards assisting the community and saw the launch of the very first Christmas bazaar. It was very short notice (2 months) and the members worked together in their regular groups (English conversation, baby, porcelain painting, etc) producing what they could; wreaths, decorations, cookies and cakes, food as well as second hand stalls. The number of projects the IWC could assist expanded to 5 or 6.

el rose picking Wilma van Gomp e Roses, 1995 th of in the Valley The bab y group met reg Wedne ularl sda Embass y morning at th y every y e Germ an

1995 The monthly afternoon tea returned to the Vitosha Hotel › Inter-Continental › Zografski › Kempinski 1995 During the summer months BBQ monthly lunches were hosted in members’ homes; cost 350 leva A competition was held to select a logo for the club in the summer of 1995. The winner was a design submitted by Paromita Vlaytchev. T-shirts with the new logo were available for sale priced at US$12 with proceeds going to the charity account. April 1996 – 158 members from 36 countries (USA 25, Germany 20, UK 19) “Stotinki” a clay pig pot became a regular at the IWC meetings for members to dump all their unwanted coins A questionnaire regarding IWC activities showed that 50% of those who responded wanted the ’Monthly Lunch’ to remain at the Sheraton. September 1996 the membership fee was US$ 35 (or the equivalent in leva on the day) October 1996 Inflation - the anniversary cookbook was now priced at 1000 leva 1, 2,5 and 10 leva notes ceased to be legal tender at the end of 1996. 1997 IWC members Greta Eisenhauer, Minke Molenaar and Franzi Stauffer opened the International Children’s Creativity Centre

In September 1995 The Charity Tennis Tournament raised 100,000 leva The first Christmas Bazaar and Concert was held on 3rd December in the Inter-Continental (now Kempinski) Hotel in December 1995 together with the Anglo1997 President American School featuring Natalia Gioffre together with Terri Tenn Rossitsa Kirilova, Vassil Petrov, ant, and Tatiana Schoen hand over a ca Winnie the Pooh Children’s Choir ssette recorder and other ite ms to the children’s ca and others. ncer ward at the Tsaritsa Yo ana Hospital Tickets were priced at 300 leva (Bazaar only; 50 leva). Approximately $3000 were raised for the ‘Tsaritsa Yoana’ Children’s cancer hospital. In 1996 the Annual Classical Concert and Bazaar was held in the National Palace of Culture for the first time. It was the only fundraising event of the Club that year and the first time that ‘nationality’ stalls were represented: Austria, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Portugal and Turkey. Tickets for adults were priced at 1000 leva. The target was $10,000 for University Clinic of Paediatric Surgery r presents which we achieved thanks to some fabulous nate Wurze President Re ankov at 97 Br 19 n ia last minute arm twisting by Maureen O’ Neill. e to Dr Ogn ery the endoscop ediatric Surg Pa of ic February 1997 The IWC got involved in in ity Cl the Univers direct humanitarian aid together with Animus Association in assisting young mothers, and other ‘‘immediate need’’ projects. The concept of a charity committee was born. 7th December 1997 in conjunction with the National Opera Sofia the IWC hosted a Charity Gala Performance of Rossini’s Barber of Seville, the 1996 Annual Classical Concert day after the bazaar at NDK. in NDK Hall 7 Proceeds in aid of the Hospital of Orthopedic and Post Surgery rehabilitation. Tickets US$ 25 (or 44,000 leva!) Total raised US$ 20,500

1999 Charity visit to Blagoevgrad and the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helpline centre with Charo Bilhartz, Louisa White, Lyndsay Sacre, Cathy McElhannon and others

2000 Monthly lunch at the Irish Harp

his was the beginning of Bulgaria’s real progress, with the new government immediately declaring its intention to join both NATO and the EU. From this point on Bulgaria’s economy gradually improved, attracting increasing foreign investment. Foreign hypermarket chains entered and revolutionised the shopping scene, taking people away from the ‘garage’ food stores and a general improvement in the standard of living became tangible for those running their own businesses or working for foreign companies. However a large sector of society remained below the poverty line and the salaries of qualified professionals in the state sector, such as doctors and teachers, remain low to this day. (Sofia – the insider’s guide) Prosperity did not come overnight but there was a new mood of optimism sweeping the country as more locals also started to get active on the charity front, so the club was inundated with requests for help. The IWC was registered as a foundation under Bulgarian law in 2000 and professional legal and accounting services were hired to ensure the club’s obligations were met. In 1998 the first email addresses started to appear, signalling a revolution in communications, the first website iwcsofia.com was registered in 1999 and by 2000 the newsletter first became available to members via email. February 1998 IWC members finally voted to accept Bulgarian members. Membership 119 from 31 countries (Germany 20, USA 16) Membership fee US$ 35 Inflation was still out of control in November 1998: Admission to Boyana Church for foreigners 13,600 leva, for Bulgarians 6000 leva. 10th Anniversary: A new edition cookbook was launched at the end of 1999, priced at 15 leva. 5th July1999 The Bulgarian currency was redenominated and fixed to the German DM In October 2000 , the monthly meeting was changed from 3pm on the first Tuesday of the month to 10.30 am. In 2001 there were 166 members from 42 countries (Bulgaria 22, USA 21, Germany 15) Membership fee 80 leva

1998 Bazaar raised $13,000 for the University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology A charity concert with the New Symphony Orchestra was held in Sophia Hall on 4th

December 1998. Concert tickets were priced at US $15 (= 25,000 leva) 1999 Bazaar $23,000 were raised for the Old people’s Home Kocherinovo Bulgarian Folklore Concert concert at the Military Club was attended by First Lady Mrs Stoyanova and raised $ 5000 2000 Bazaar Approximately $20,000 was raised and allocated to a variety of charity projects over the following year, including the Tabitha Foundation, the Hospice Miloserdie, Lyuben Karavelov School (warm meals) and the Breast Cancer Screening Project 29th March 2001 Spring Gala Charity Concert featuring a cross section of Bulgarian music in the new Boyana home for the National History Museum. Attended by 250 people, with Bulgaria’s first lady Antonina Stoyanova as guest of honour, nearly 5000 leva (new) were raised. The money went towards donating some antique jewellery items to the National History museum and helping the Choir of the Blind fund the production of their first CD.

kend 2001 Wee l u b n ta Is in

2001 Scenic helicopter flight over the Rila 7 Lakes in the President of Bulgariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helicopter

2001 Charity Concert in aid of the Choir of the blind, who are able to produce their first CD with the proceeds of the concert

Just a flavour of the nationalities represented at the annual Charity Bazaars over the years

lgarian

visit to a Bu 2004 Charity ol ho sc village

2010 Visit to

the Soup Kitc

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Charity Committee on a trip to Kjustendil, 2008

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Nationality: British Where are you living now: Athens, Greece Years in Sofia: 1998-2002 IWC member: 1999-2002 What brought you to Sofia? Husband’s work How did you find out about the IWC? Through meeting other expats in Sofia Did you serve on the board of the IWC? In 2000 ‒ 2002 Group Secretary Did you actively participate in the club activities? I was always involved in the charity work of the bazaar for the 3 years I was member, helped organise the Xmas Bazaar. While on the board I was instrumental in changing the meeting place of the IWC to Matti’D. Which were your favourite IWC activities? The visits to different parts of the country, visiting the glassware factories. Also visiting the many orphanages. Collaborating with Albena Matova from Tabitha Foundation on her various charitable projects. What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? There were quite a few; fashion show of hats for the ladies at a coffee morning, going to Veliko Turnovo with the wife of the British Ambassador at the time (Arabella Stagg), to donate a Mammogram machine in collaboration with Astra Zeneca. Arabella Stagg was very active in Charity work, also set up the charity shop in the old visa section of the Embassy building and Prince Andrew came to open the shop. IWC volunteers manned the shop. What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? All the work with the unprivileged in Bulgaria. Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? Members of the board from my days, Eileen Reagan, Cathy McElhannon, Teddy Houry, Albena Matova, and to a certain extent Diliana Yaneva, my landlords – who acted like grandparents for my girls, Paromita Sanatani, Charlotte Bobelet, Corinne Abeille, Joelle Messud, Patricia De Vos, Patricia Bonnaert, Pauline Robinson. Anything else you would like to share? I am very happy to hear how wonderfully successful the Xmas Bazaars are these days. Our four years in Bulgaria were very happy, extremely varied, and very active.

Nationality: Serbian / GB Where are you living now: Bangkok, Thailand Years in Sofia: 1999 ‒ 2007 with a 6 month break leaving and coming back to Sofia IWC member: almost all the time I was there (as from 2000 ‒ 2007) What brought you to Sofia? My husband’s job How did you find out about the IWC? From friends who were members (Paromita :-) Did you serve on the board of the IWC? I helped but not as a board member Did you actively participate in the club activities? I ran a baby/toddler group as I just had my second son in Sofia and came with my 1 year old to Sofia, around different homes or at the British Embassy residence community room and garden. I always helped with the bazaar in some way ‒ selling raffles, helping at a stall etc. Which were your favourite IWC activities? Coffee mornings of course, baby group meetings, events like lunches, balls, going to visit orphanages and deliver donations to various places ‒ helping where help was needed What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? Meeting new friends, connection to ladies in a similar situation as myself, (following husbands’ jobs and travelling the world) helping charity groups and mostly I remember the donation the IWC made helping repair the really run down kitchen and build new toilets for a home for the elderly in Rila, that was awesome! Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? Paromita Sanatani, Caroline Van Damme , Nicky Klenowsky, Tara Tempestili, Helen Louise. Anything else you would like to share? I really enjoyed being a member of the IWC Sofia, have many fond memories and have thoroughly enjoyed the times spent there, going out with friends, helping the less fortunate, learning about new aspects of life, learning Bulgarian and getting in touch with the people and culture of Bulgaria whilst living there. We had interesting speakers come to our meetings, we had cooking groups, conversation groups... I am now a member of many other International Women’s Groups where we have similar activities and do charity work, here where I live now ‒ in Bangkok and will consider becoming a member of the IWC of Thailand too, continuing the tradition.

Nationality: American Where are you living now: Lexington, VA, USA Years in Sofia: Jan 2000 ‒ July 2002 IWC member: Feb 2000 ‒ July 2002 Cathy (s What brought you to Sofia? econd fr om righ Maya B Husband’s job at Embassy t) with ogdano designe va and r her IWC How did you find out about the IWC? models An American friend in Sofia Did you serve on the board of the IWC? President, but I don’t remember the exact dates... ended in 2002 Did you actively participate in the club activities? Participated in the craft group, lunch outings, charity group, new member coffees, organized the American stall one year and organized the bazaar the following year (2001) Which were your favourite IWC activities? The charity events: visits to the old people’s homes and orphanages. I loved the personal contact with the residents (both young and old) and seeing how their eyes lit up when they saw us approaching and the smiles when we gave them the simplest of gifts. What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? After the 2001 Bazaar which our regular taxi driver attended, he said he could hardly believe how many people were there working (volunteering) to raise money for other people, and not expecting anything in return. The friendships that I made through the club have been the lasting ones. What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? I have always been proud of what a good board I worked with. We were a team, and everyone’s strengths combined to make us quite effective (in my humble opinion!) We shared such personal, fun, and intense times that we had a special bond. Who are you still in touch with? Paromita Sanatani, Lyndsay Sacre, Eileen Regan, Maria Novak, Teddy Houry, Albena Matova, Carole Fielding, Olga Miletic... Anything else you would like to share? I wish I had a better memory!

Nationality: British Where are you living now? UK ‒ Guildford Years in Sofia: Sept 2002 ‒ Dec 2007 IWC member: Oct 2002 ‒ Dec 2007 What brought you to Sofia? Husband’s work How did you find out about the IWC? From Mary, the British ambassador’s wife Did you serve on the board of the IWC? May 2005 – May 2007 as Vice President Did you actively participate in the club activities? Participation with the Breast Health Awareness campaign which was just starting off in 2002. The bazaar: making Christmas puds; mincemeat & mincepies etc for the UK stall; selling tickets on the gate for some years; plus involvement as a board member. Which were your favourite IWC activities? Everything (more or less) to do with the bazaar and the BHAC; Trips & visits; Bulgarian gossip group What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? Donating a mammography unit to Shumen hospital was great, the culmination of a big campaign. Memorable too was the hilarious tower of Babel experience of the first meeting of all the stallholders with the management team at EXPO: their faces were a picture ‒ hard for them to hide the fact that they were wondering what on earth they’d got themselves into with all these women who didn’t follow standard meeting protocol and made such a noise. However on the day of the bazaar I remember being greeted halfway through by a beaming manager who was not only enjoying the whole event more than he’d ever imagined but confessed that they’d learnt from us (he didn’t quite say, a crowd of women) how to channel huge crowds into the venue without big delays. What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? Helping to secure EXPO centre as a venue for the bazaar because it enabled the bazaar to grow and grow, securing funding for desperately needed charity projects. Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? Quite a lot of people, including Marie Halbherr; Maria Naslednikova; Jutta Rebuschat; Sonya Petrova; Lyuba Boyanina. Former UK members ‒ Eileen Regan, Hilary Gibbons, Katie Hill, Steph Woods, Pat Sainsbury etc. Anything else you would like to share? Only that return visits to Sofia are like coming home though with some of the family missing. With the IWC reunion more of the family will be there.

pril 2004 Bulgaria became a fully-fledged member of NATO. Stability in Bulgaria was reflected by an influx of foreign businesses and expat staff. In 2002 the board decided to change the club logo to give it a bolder and more contemporary look. The club membership continued to go up and charity dominated the activities of the IWC. The Charity Committee became the legally registered Charity Foundation of the IWC which enabled the club to receive donations from business and issue valid receipts in return. In 2004 the number of board members went up from 7 to 9 to spread the workload.

2005 Breast Health Awareness Campaign 5km Fun Run in Yuzhen Park Presenting IWC merchandise; Didi, Dorothea and Yvonne

The coffee mornings moved to the current location Matti D in February 2001 2002 there were 190 members from 43 different countries 2003 Bulgarian membership quota was full at 15% of total membership April 2002 Fashion show Maya Bogdanova – with models from the IWC Shopping Basket items added to the monthly coffee mornings and monthly second hand book sales Traditzia ‘a charity shop’ conceived by Arabella Stagg was opened in October 2001 by HRH Prince Andrew, and was largely manned by volunteers from the IWC. 2005 IWC trip to Slovenia

2001 the Bazaar moved to the Sheraton Hotel and raised 40,000 leva in support of a dozen or so selected projects. October 2002 Breast Health Awareness Campaign launched its first 5km Fun Run in South Park 2002 Bazaar raised over 55,000 leva 2003 Bazaar returned to the Kempinski Hotel and raised 60,000 leva 2004, 26th June Musical Evening at the British Embassy Residence with Angel Stankov and Lily of the West. Proceeds went to support the Music as Therapy Programme in Bulgaria. 2004 Bazaar raised 130,000 leva 2005 Bazaar raised 181,170 leva 2006 The annual charity bazaar is held at the Inter Expo Centre for the first time and raised an incredible 235,000 leva

Nationality: French Where are you living now? Shanghai, China Years in Sofia: Jan. 2003 ‒ July 2010 IWC member: Feb. 2003 ‒ July 2010 What brought you to Sofia? Spouse’s profession in the hotel industry How did you find out about the IWC? Through an IWC member who was the mom of my daughter’s school friend Did you serve on the board of the IWC? May 2003 – July 2010 as Charity Events Coordinator; Charity Coordinator; Charity Chairperson

With Maria Naslednikova

Did you actively participate in the club activities? I steered the charity activities of the IWC Which were your favourite IWC activities? Cultural tours, organized then by Maria Naslednikova and Lyuba. Maria organized visits to beautiful monasteries around Sofia and across Bulgaria. These were fun and informative day trips with joyful picnics on the sites of the monasteries. Maria even baked delicious “koizuna brioche” for us hungry pilgrims during Easter visits! Lyuba’s tours are among my fondest memories of Bulgaria and the IWC. Whether the occasion was the Wine Festival, The Rose Festival, the Kukeris’ day or night festivals, Midwife’s Day, Women’s Day and more, Lyuba took us to areas off the beaten track and into the pulse of Bulgarian country life. We dined and wined and danced with villagers. The hospitality was amazing. Unforgettable! What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? The charity activities generated many memorable experiences. For instance each follow-up visit to the orphanages that were on the Baba Program was a source of wonder and gratitude, seeing children sit, walk, smile, who had been totally bed-ridden and apathetic before; and what joy and pride on their babas’ faces! Each Charity Bazaar was also an extraordinary experience, sharing the collective enthusiasm (and the stress!) during the preparations and seeing the amazing crowds on the day, and the results!

What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? The growth of the charity activities and expansion of the charity scope, thanks to the dedication of all board members and IWC members since the early beginnings of the IWC. Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? Albena Matova, Ann Stewart, Asja Alexandrova, Dilliana Yaneva, Eileen Regan, Emilia Manolova, Gerti Schwarz, Herta Bauersachs, Jutta Rebuschat, Lyuba Boyanin, Maria Ilieva, Maria Naslednikova, Paromita, Vreni Duerr. Anything else you would like to share? When I started as a board member in 2003, the Charity Committee did not have its own legal status and was under the IWC’s registration as a “foundation for the private good”. This posed difficulties to the fundraising efforts, since many donors, especially corporate donors, preferred to donate to a “foundation for the public good” so as to benefit from certain tax advantages. It was the initiative of Sybille Meier-Klodt, then IWC President, to undertake the complex procedure of registering the Charity Committee as a separate legal entity, i.e. a foundation for the public good, but still an integral part of the IWC. The Charity Committee became then The Charity Foundation of the IWC. This has increased the administrative work, since two registrations have to be renewed every year with all the paper work that this entails, but it had obvious benefits as well!

ing supplies

2010 Deliver Miloserdie

to the Hospice

2005 The hugely successful Baba Program still going strong

the Charity 2007 Official opening of or may uty dep a Sofi by aar Baz

2011 Maria Ilieva and Lyub a Boyanin welcome Meglena Kuneva to the Bulgarian stall at the Cha rity Bazaar

2010 Charity

eeting Committee m

st January 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU and brought with it a lot of changes, mainly improvements on all fronts and lots of investments. Bulgaria experienced a phenomenal building boom both in Sofia and the tourist resorts with many foreigners having invested in holiday homes. However in line with global economy this climaxed around 2008. The word ‘krisa’ (financial crisis) was once again in everyone’s mouths. This all of course had an impact on the club, especially regarding membership numbers. It is now relatively uncomplicated for accompanying EU spouses to be employed in Bulgaria if they are willing to accept the differences in the salary scale. More and more international companies are now able to find and hire highly qualified local staff, which in turn cuts back their own costs. Many foreigners working in Bulgaria these days are young and single. The number of board members reverted to 7 in 2013 and in April 2014 was further reduced to 5 members (primarily for logistical reasons). Fortunately none of this has had any negative effect on the club’s biggest annual fundraising event – the charity bazaar – which pulls together the whole international diplomatic and business community for a truly enjoyable event and never fails to surprise with the total amount of money raised.

In 2007 there were 228 members from 35 countries In 2014 there are 120 members from 35 countries, with potentially many Bulgarian members on the waiting list. In 2008 the club tried hosting the monthly meetings in various locations around the city but eventually reverted to keeping Matti D as the fixed location for the first Tuesday of the month. After years of shifting around boxes of files after each change of board, the club finally in 2009 decided to share an office and secretary with the Cedar foundation at 64 Vitosha Blvd. The newsletter accepted commercial advertising in 2010, to help cover the costs of producing the newsletter. 2009, December 12th the IWC celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a dinner dance at Matti D attended by several returning board members such as Cathy McElhannon, Maria Novak, Eileen Regan, Lyndsay Sacre and Teddy Houry. 2010 New website iwc-sofia.org was launched and the board had its dedicated web editor. In total there were 11 board members. Membership fee was 120 leva In 2011 the Business Park Sofia donated office space to the IWC The IWC received a special award from GraziaMagazine: Women of the Year 2011 “Ambassadors for Tolerance”

Annual Charity Bazaar raised the following amounts of money for the IWC Charity Foundation 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

351,000 leva 312,580 leva 292,360 leva 290,000 leva 325,000 leva 313,000 leva

There was also a separate Charity Auction event midNovember which raised over 8000 leva.

Nationality: Slovenian Where are you living now? Vienna, Austria Years in Sofia: 2001 ‒ 2005 IWC member: 2001 ‒ 2005 What brought you to Sofia? Husband’s work How did you find out about the IWC? IWC was my first experience with Bulgaria and every day brought something new. Former president Cathy McElhannon was the greatMaria visits her colleague est influence and the one who s Lisa and Asya at the Bazaar fortunately just “pulled me in” Did you serve on the board of the IWC? I became a board member the second year and was elected president the year after (2004). There are so many treasurable moments and each of them has a special place in my heart. Did you actively participate in the club activities? Our IWC trip to my home country Which were your favourite IWC activities? Our diverse monthly events, monthly meetings, guests and I could go on and on… What was your most memorable experience connected with the IWC? There was a start of the Baba Program, Directors forum for orphanages, Christmas bazaar, Breast cancer campaign with the gala ball, Osteoporosis campaign, Mercedes van donation to IWC, Charity opera concert with Catherine Haataya. And very importantly, we did all of this as one remarkable team. I gave many interviews and was guest in many talk shows. Time and again they asked me what is it about IWC that made it so popular. Simply put, I told them that I suppose it was because we were just ourselves, we tried to help those who needed it the most, we worked together as one big family and used our combined experiences. And importantly, we gained the trust of the community. What achievement of the club are you most proud of as a former board member? I believe we had the greatest board ever. (Yes yes, just be jealous ;) We were just incredible team who gave our hearts to IWC and team, which was neglecting husbands ;). I do feel a need to mention and thank them once again!

Suzanne Barett 1st vice president, who always made sure everything was by the book Albena Matova 2nd vice president, who made sure our monthly events were so diverse and interesting Mimi Glemot secretary, who was the most efficient person ever and the one who made sure my English sounded perfect (I would need you now Mimi ;) Marie Halbherr and Yvonne Kurtze our incredible charity leads. Many times I as a president took a credit for charitable work of IWC. Well, it was them who made sure that money raised was wisely spent for those in need. Lisa Freij membership coordinator, who proved once again that women are in fact the most organized of people Joanna Hollis treasurer was the one who made sure every penny was in place and last but not least Naira Delphia Newsletter editor who made sure that every month we had something interesting to read Who are you still in touch with from IWC Sofia days? I do keep contact with my friends from those days; with some regularly, with some occasionally and with some over FB. After all we are in modern age ;)

ie and Albe

ar Yvonne, M

Anything else you would like to share? Simply put, my stay in Bulgaria was just one great, pleasant, unique, unforgettable experience, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I enjoyed every minute out of it helping others, learning many new things, organizing and meeting interesting peopleâ&#x20AC;Ś I always like to point out that I was very active in other IWCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s after leaving Bulgaria, but have to say, that there was nothing which could surpass IWC Sofia. Again, like many times before I would like to thank Bulgaria and its people for giving me the opportunity, that I lived in this interesting and unforgettable country.

Over 25 years the IWC Sofia has enjoyed incredible material and financial support from the local and international business community in Sofia, far too many to list here. Please know that each and every contribution is highly appreciated and goes a long way towards supporting the club. Our particular thanks however must go to the Business Park Sofia, who have just provided the Club with another 3 years of rent free offices, Matti D where we host the monthly meetings free of charge, and Allied Pickfords who are sponsoring the new website.

The IWC would like to thank the management and staff at the Hilton Sofia for their kind co-operation in hosting the 25th Anniversary dinner dance.

All text copyright ÂŠ 2014 Paromita Sanatani Photos from IWC and membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; archive Nara Vasconcelos, Sory Jan, Anneke de Vries and Marie Halbherr Design and prepress: Flo Grafix Ltd.