December 2017

December/January 2018

Newsletter

of the International Women’s Club in Sofia

Christmas traditions in Bulgaria

23rd Annual Charity Bazaar

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Presidents’ Letter Dear Ladies,

Dear members, stallholders, sponsors and volunteers, I am so overwhelmed and would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for the tremendous support during your participation in our main fundraising activity - the 23rd Annual Charity Bazaar.

Through our joint efforts and generosity this year’s event has been the most successful ever.

During the bazaar day I could see the delight and smiles of the visitors, we had questions and requests from the general public why is this not a 2-3 day event, they wanted to come back and enjoy for more than a day this amazing “Round the World” journey that we created. Of course, this is a direct result from the beautiful execution from you our Stallholders, you keep coming back, year after year with your r experience and expertise. Thank you for working extremely hard with your well established and wonderful stalls that keep the IWC Charity Bazaar going strong.

At end of the bazaar day I was so delighted when a few Stallholders told me that this has been the most satisfying and enjoyable bazaar with them raising a few thousand leva more than usual.

It goes without saying that none of this would be possible without the IWC members, our hard working Bazaar team headed by the efficient and able Mihaela Dobre who has put so many hours of preparation and planning into making this bazaar a success.

We are extremely appreciative of the generosity of our sponsors and the irreplaceable help of the numerous volunteers who assisted on the day.

I really enjoy working with each one of you and I’m inspired and proud to be the leader of such a tremendous, charitable organization. All of us as a big powerful international team have made a remarkable and vluable contribution to the fulfillment of the main IWC goal – to raise more money for the charitable projects in Bulgaria. Thank you and Happy holidays to everyone!

Albena Jones President 2017-2018

Cover: Stained glass window at Russian Embassy in Sofia 3

IWC Executive Board 2017-2018 President Albena Jones 0879 119 152 president@iwc-sofia.org

Treasurer Mary Gullett treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

Vice-President Maya Metodieva vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org

Charity Chairperson Iliana Zlatareva 0893 357585 charity@iwc-sofia.org

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

Bazaar Coordinator Mihaela Dobre 0879 506 799 c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com

International Women’s Club 67A Postoyanstvo st., 1111 Sofia 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.

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.

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 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

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:

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. *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.

Christmas Eve Tradition in Bulgaria Christmas Eve is one of the most important family holidays in the Bulgarian calendar when many rituals are performed in order to bring good luck and fertility.

house makes a round shaped bread. Inside she puts a silver coin and dogwood buds for good luck and health, and on top she decorates it with fruit, wheat and crosses from the batter, which must bring prosperity. In the preparation of the loaves girls who are about to be married are excluded, in order not to leave their fertility when they leave home.

According to the Bulgarian tradition all members of the family gather, whereby each member plays a specific role in various symbolic observances. The men would choose the yule log (badnik), a specially hewn piece of oak or pear tree, which symbolizes the tree of the world (keeping the order and harmony in the world). It must be lit by the oldest man in the family and be left burning all night. The belief is that this fire has a purifying effect and keeps away the evil spirits. According to folk beliefs on Christmas eve heaven and hell are temporarily open and the bogeymen and ghouls roam among the people.

The ashes of the yule log are not thrown away, one part is scattered in the fields for fertility, and another is kept as a remedy against evil forces.

The Christmas Eve supper is more a ritual than a meal.

The whole family sits down together on straw on the floor resembling the setting in which the holy infant was born. The farmer breaks the holy bread (bogovica). The first piece is dedicated to the Virgin, the second to the house, and the following pieces are distributed among the members of the family. The supper should take a long time, no one should leave early unless they really need to in which case they should walk bent down like a tree laden with fruit. Eventually all leave the table together so that all stems of wheat in the field get ripe at the same time, and they meet the carol singers (koledari). The table doesn’t get cleared but is left untouched during the whole evening and during the night.

This is related to the belief that heaven is open and deceased loved ones and angels are coming to dinner.

While the men perform ordinances for the protection of the home, women, traditionally associated with fertility, prepare the holiday supper. The most important is the preparation of ritual breads, which usually begins early in the morning. During that time the young girls wear "silent" water, i.e. they keep silent. The mistress of the

What to put on the table on Christmas Eve Christmas Eve (badni vecher) is not only the last day of lent, but an evening filled with anticipation for the birth of the Son of God, which in Bulgarian pagan tradition is associated with the rebirth of nature. Therefore why the dishes served at the table are designed not only to feed, but also to bring fertility and good luck throughout the year.

It is considered important that the number of meals is odd, i.e. three, five, seven, etc., but especially seven or nine as these are considered sacred numbers. If you are still wondering how many meals to cook, keep in mind that the more laden the table, the greater the abundance for the coming year.

The key is not only how, but also what will be served at the festivity. The table must have foods that are prone to swelling so as to make things in our lives swell. Suitable are all kinds of legumes – beans, wheat, lentils, rice, bulgur, and popcorn. Other foods with symbolic significance are dried fruit – apples, plums, raisins, apricots and nuts – mainly nuts. Do not forget garlic which wards off evil spirits and diseases, as well as honey that will make your life sweet.

You can combine these ingredients in a variety of dishes.

For example, traditional stuffed peppers (dried), you can prepare them with rice and with beans. Stuffed vine leaves or stuffed cabbage leaves are also an option. they can be filled with rice, bulgur and prunes. For the festive supper you are not supposed to drink water, only oshav prepared from dried fruit.

Maya Metodieva 5

Popular Bulgarian names days in January

Vanyo, Enyo, Encho, Žana, Janeta, Ivaylo, Ivan, Ivanka, Ivana, Ivanina, Iveta, Ivo, John, Joana, Yonko, Kaloyan.

1st January: Surva, Survaki, St. Basil, new year's day (January 1; 14 January v. St.) is a Bulgarian national holiday, marking the beginning of the new calendar year. It is in all ethnic Bulgarian territories. On this day the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Basil the great with festive liturgy. People with the following name’s have a names day: Vasil, Vasilena, Vasilij, Vasilka, Vaska, Vesselin, Veselina, Valko, Valcho.

17th January: According to the Bulgarian national Antonovden tradition is celebrated for the prevention of diseases. On this day women are not supposed to sew and knit, because it is believed that if you prick your finger it won't heal easily. Do not boil the beans and lentils, in order not to get the children sick from measles. Knead soda bread is special, however, which are granted for health of family and friends. The Orthodox Church venerates the memory of Saint Anthony.

Saint Anthony was born in the year a.d. 251 in Middle Egypt, into a family of wealthy and devout parents. He became an orphan, and at the age of 20, he gave away his inheritance to the poor and went to leave in a cave.

2nd January: The Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Sylvester on January 2. He converted to Christianity the Greek Emperor Constantine the Great. People with the following names have a name’s day: Goran, Goritsa, Ognyan, Plamen, Plamena, Nara, Seraphim, Silva, Silvana, Sylvia, Sylvester.

6th January: Epiphany (Greek: Θεοφάνια) is one of the most ancient Christian holidays. It is celebrated on January 6 (Jordanovden) was initially dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ and the accompanying events.

Andon, Antoine, Antoinette, Antonina Anton, Antonia, Donka, Doncho, Tony, Tonka, Tonio, Tonya.

18th January: It honors the memory of Saint Athanasius the great, born in 295. At 23 years of age he was ordained a deacon and participated in the Ecumenical Council in Nicea. As Archbishop of the city Alexandria he was actively involved in the fight against the Arian heresy in Christianity. He died on May 2, 373.

Bancho, Bistra, Bogdan, Bogdana, Bogomil, Bogolûb, Bogolûba, Roy, Bojana, Bozhidar, Nata, Borislav, Borislava, Boyan, Boyana, Shorn, Danko, Dancho, Yordan, Jordana, Jordanka, Nayden, Theodosius 7th January: Saint John’s /Ivanov den/ is a religious and national holiday, celebrated in honor of St. John The Baptist. The most popular name day in Bulgaria, celebrated by more than 300 000 people.

Atanas, Atanaska, Nasko, Naska, Nacho, Tinka According to the tradition you can go to a celebrating person without an invitation.

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2018 IWC-Sofia Call for Projects The call for projects for 2018 will be open from December 21,2017 till January 31,2018. Important projects submitted after the last date will not be taken into consideration.

Charity update

5. Women’s issues; 6. Equal access to education and training, scholarships, summer camps and culture activities; 7. Other

Topic areas

When you submit a proposal, please select from the list of topic areas one that best applies to your case as outlined in your application form.

1. Emergency level assistance; 2. Support to disabled people and children with severe illnesses;

Application forms can be downloaded from the IWC website: https://iwc-sofia.org

3. Support to elderly people in underprivileged regions;

In case of questions please contact: Mrs. Iliana Zlatareva Charity Chairperson e-mail: charity@iwc-sofia.org

4. Social integration and support of orphans, children in risk, young adults leaving institutions, and disabled people;

A visit in the village of Lopyan Dear Ladies, in this edition I am proud to share with you my feedback on the Lopyan project.

Most of you have heard about it and have seen my mails and the photos I sent. I am delighted and surprised to see how many ladies helped and made donations for the kids in Lopyan! Thank you very much to all of you for your donation of clothes and shoes. Special thanks to Ana Lobato who made a special effort. I went to Lopyan twice – the first time to transport the washing machine and the dryer, bought with the donation from the IWC. The second time I went with Asya, Angelina and Anne. The children received a box with notebooks and pens, and other educational materials as a personal donation from Angelina; blankets, sweets and toys from Anne and books from Asya. Anne showed them how to make gofrettes and they really enjoyed it. we are continuing our work and will keep you duly informed.

Iliana Zlatareva

Charity Chairperson

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Love from first sight Playful and smiling children – some younger, other older – they all welcome us with kisses and hugs. As if they are saying "Come on, we've been waiting for you"...

Their life seems like the one of free birds at the foot of the old mountain, in a small village called Lopyan around the Etropole town.

They have everything they need, a school with an outdoor playground, play rooms inside, bedrooms, a brand new dining area, they even have a small orthodox chapel nearby.

The nature here has been very generous to them, as well as the people who are there to help. The high mountain ridges and the old pines speak to them as if they are saying: "You will grow up one day, just like us..."

The children can't yet understand that their visitors who bring their generosity and kindness, contribute to their well-being and growth in a good environment.

But the heartfelt cuddles and kind conversations warm up their tiny little hearts and give them a sense of safety. Longterm everyday care and the education provided by the local teachers – the director of the facility Mrs Maria Ferdinandova and her team – make the lives of these children meaningful and offer an opportunity for a better future.

"Our love is our appreciation of all of you, kind people from Bulgaria and from all over the world. Each day we will engrave in our memory gratitude and love to you, which is the only thing we have plenty of, and the only thing we can give to you. We promise to grow up and become better and better, thanks to your care, charity and shared time." – as if the children are telling us with their curious looks and questions.

And yet again they are embracing us, kissing us and they keep talking and talking ... they can feel the forthcoming parting. But we are all sure that we will meet again and that we will once more speak through our hearts, and we, the grownups, with our deeds too.

Assia Blomsma 8

23rd Charity Bazaar

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Third Stallholders’ meeting at Russian Embassy

We would like to once again thank all the team of the Russian Embassy and specially H.E. Mr. Anatoly Makarov, Mrs.Emelin and Mr.Emelin for their invitation and support in arranging the 3rd Stallholders meeting.

Everything was just perfect. We received a very warm welcome from the whole team and we really felt at home throughout the whole event.

We appreciate your effort and support in the organization and participation of the IWC-Sofia Charity Bazaar.

Thank You!

Maya Metodieva

Continued on p. 13

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November Coee Morning at Capella Restaurant

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Patchwork Group presentation

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Ongoing activities you are a native speaker and you would like to participate, please contact Sory Jan by e-mail: jansory1@yahoo.fr.

Patchwork Group This group consists of seven members and we are meeting every Monday in the PLUS TOVA café, situated in Marin Drinov 38 st., from 10 am to 12 pm. Teacher of the group is Dusica Trkulja who is showing the making of patchwork. The members of the group have made a patchwork pillow which they would like to show to IWC members during the morning coffee in November. The group will continue again in January 2018 with its classes as in the following few months we will focus on the charity Christmas Bazaar preparations!

Bulgarian Conversation Group Five Native Bulgarian speakers joined to form a conversation group by special request - - just for you to grow and increase and to practice your B U L G A R I A N! Weekly at 10.30 every Tuesday -we meet. Please contact Jane Ewing for location - the teachers/ tutors are all wonderful Bulgarian friends from IWC who you respect and know. Don't be afraid! Come join us!

Zapovyaday!! Contact Jane by e mail: janeaewing@gmail.com.

Book Club

Hiking 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 Friday.

For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@yahoo.com.

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 Bistra Karakoleva (biskarakoleva@gmail.com)** NEW

Bridge 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.

Tennis 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 emailing list then please contact Teodora Petrova on 0888495066 or her email on teodora_p@yahoo.com

English Conversation Group

Tuesday Playgroup

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.

Please enquire at CM to see who is leading this group, as there were changes.

Mums and dads with babies, toddlers and small children, please come along to our weekly playgroup! We meet every Wednesday at 10am, at someone's home or in a park or play centre. It's a great opportunity to meet new people (some of us have lived in Sofia for many years so are great sources of advice and information too), and for the children to make friends. It's totally free and there is no obligation to host, so please do come and join us! For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please email Stephanie.Karaolis@gmail.com.

Spanish Conversation Group Everybody who wants to practice and improve her Spanish is welcome to our weekly meetings.

Also, if you are already fluent in Spanish or if 16

Members News and Announcements December birthdays Teodora Petrova-Ivanova, 6th December Rossalina Koehler, 9th December

Our center "House of Art & Lang's" offers courses in languages such as: English, Arabic, and Bulgarian all taught in highly professional manners by certified teachers. We provide tutoring for school students to improve their skills in all subjects and homework.

An international artist will be teaching drawing and painting in English, Bulgarian, or Arabic.

Johanna Alcantara de Tejeda, 15th December Eva Kreuzer, 15th December Alexandra Luzan, 16th December Angela Bird, 20th December Marieta Neykova, 27th December

House of Arts & Lang's Lozenets, Lyubata str. 19, 1st floor, office No.1, Sofia, Bulgaria +359 888 711 103 / +359 876 654 447 Facebook page: House of arts & Lang's Site: www.houseartlang.com

January birthdays

Discounts for members

Heidi Whitfield, 1st January Galina Iltchev, 4th January

Nadezhko Bread House Bakery

Maria Ilieva, 6th January Diana Michaels –Christopher, 7th January

Address: Geo MIlev, Ulitsa Bethoven, 12 Opening times: Mon-Fri 8:00 to 19:00.

Kayo Kumakiri, 9th January Emilia Slavova, 12th January

We are happy to offer the IWC members a special discount at our bakery, for any purchase above 25 lv, they receive 10 percent discount. This special offer is from Mrs. Savova-Grigorova.

Miwako Note, 18th January Christina Stoimenova, 26th January Linda Kim, 29th January

The bakery is also a bio foods store, so there is plenty of choice.

Hello Ladies, Would you like to suggest any additional outings to members?

Would you like to Lead & Start a new Activity in addition to our Ongoing Activities?

Let us know the type of activity (name and a short description) and who will assist you?

New Year's Concert: The Spirit of Europe Jan 1 2018 at 18:00 Tickets available: 25 - 65 leva Composers from all 28 EU member states are represented in the traditional annual New Year's Concert at the National Palace of Culture, on the eve of Bulgaria chairing the presidency of the EU council. The Sofia Festival Orchestra will be conducted by Emil Tabakov with soloist Svetlin Rusev (violin).

Tickets can be bought from the box office at NDK.

Please send Lilly White an email to president@iwc-sofia.org

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December events

January events

3rd December

9th January

10:00-19:00: 23rd Annual Charity Bazaar

10:00: Monthly Coffee Morning

Venue: Inter Expo Center

Venue: T.B.C.

Tickets available on: www.ticketportal.bg Every year the Annual Charity Bazaar provides an opportunity for countries to proudly showcase their handmade crafts, music, souvenirs, folklore, national cuisine, clothing, literature and now even culture and tradition. At the 2016 Charity Bazaar 62 countries were represented, and a total of 79 stalls participated.

The IWC Charity Bazaar provides numerous opportunities to get involved. Regardless of whether you would like to give your financial support, make a gift or donate items that can be sold at one of the stalls or you can sing or dance as a participant in our entertainment programme, your help will be welcome!

10th January 12:30: Monthly Lunch Venue: Petru's Restaurant, 48 Sveti Naum blvd., Lozenets Cost up to consumption.

The restaurant has six thematic halls, united by a common menu. This way everyone in the company can choose where the taste will take him, regardless the situation. And the taste at Petru's brings together Peter Yankov's entire experience in the cooking of classic dishes, prepared with first-class products in a new and unexpected way. A single visit of Petru's is not enough, because the little details that make up the magic of this place are many. But the road to every dream starts with a single step...

Welcome! http://sofia.petrus.bg/en/

12th December 11:00: Thank You Coffee Morning Venue: Hotel Expo Best Western, 149 Tsarigradsko Shosse blvd.

Join us for our monthly gathering and in December is our Special “Thank You� Coffee Morning. We would like to thank all of our members, stall holders and volunteers for participating at the bazaar. It is also a special occasion as we will also announce the preliminary figure of the total amount collected at the bazaar.

17th December 16:00: Free Christmas Party A special party for IWC members and their families and children.

20th December 12:30: Special Christmas Lunch Venue: Grami Hotel Sofia, 79G, Alexander Malinov blvd.

Cost up to consumption. https://www.facebook.com/pg/gramihotelsofia/about/

December calendar

January calendar

10:00 Charity Bazaar

10:00 Monthly Coffee Morning

11:00 Coffee Morning 16:00: Christmas Party

12:30 Christmas Lunch

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12:30: Monthly Lunch

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