February 2018

February 2018

Newsletter of the International Women’s Club in Sofia

Mardi Gras Kukeri and other Bulgarian traditions

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Presidents’ Letter

Dear Ladies, Greeting to everyone. First I would like to wish you a successful 2018.

I am proud to say that we ended 2017 on a positive note. The successful Charity Bazaar execution means that there will be more donations and support for charity projects by the IWC this year.

Please see the financial figures published in this issue. A big “Thank you” goes to Mary Gullet our treasurer for her hard and precise work to account for each lev that was donated to the IWC. We have received request for help from so many Bulgarian organizations. Our current priorities are projects that make a transformational change, enhance the quality of life and have a high level of impact on individuals, their families and the local communities.

Thank you to the members who volunteered to be on the Charity committee. We trust your fair judgment and appreciate your dedication.

As you all know the start of the year is perfect for new beginnings, it’s naturally a time when we evaluate out past, but more importantly plan for our future. So I would like to urge all of you members to please help us the board – plan for the future of the IWC. Thank you to those who have already spoken to me about some positive ideas and implementations. I encourage transparency, clarity and open communication.

Well the first positive news is that this location – the Arena di Serdica Panorama Restaurant is going to be our permanent IWC Coffee morning venue. It’s classed as one of the finest Rooftop’s in Sofia and you cannot find a more central and easily accessible location than this. I hope we will enjoy and conduct many wonderful Coffee mornings here. The next one being on 06th March, with some surprises not to be missed!

Love and blessings,

Albena Jones IWC President

Cover: Mardi Gras Carnival, New Orleans 3

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

Treasurer Mary Gullett treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

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

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

Charity Chairperson charity@iwc-sofia.org

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

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.

February festivals

Mardi Gras Day

“Nowhere on the planet is Fat Tuesday celebrated more than on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.”

Fat Tuesday celebrations Fat Tuesday is on 13th February, the day before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as Mardi Gras Day or Shrove Day. It is a day when people eat all they want of everything and anything they want as the following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a long fasting period for Christians. In addition to fasting, christians also give up something special that they enjoy. The Lenten season lasts for 46 days. So, Fat Tuesday is a celebration and the opportunity to enjoy that favorite food or snack that you give up for the long lenten season.

that we came from dust and we shall return to dust, referring to our earthly bodies, not our souls.

Nowhere on the planet is Fat Tuesday celebrated more than on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The day is celebrated with festivities and parades and of course much food and drink. While in New Orleans, a big tradition is in wearing Mardi Gras beads and giving them to others. And tradition requires that if a guy gives a girl some beads, she has to do something for him.....this can be just loads of fun.........

In addition to being called Mardi Gras Day and Fat Tuesday, it is also called Fastnacht Day. Pennsylvania Dutch country, and other areas with large German populations, refer to it as Fastnacht Day.

In some christian traditions, on Ash Wednesday, believers go to mass and receive ashes on their foreheads in the sign of the cross. It is a reminder of from "Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust". It means

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February festivals “The origin of the word Carnaval is carnem levare which means "to take away meat" in Latin."

International Carnival traditions In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the week before Ash Wednesday is called Shrovetide, ending on Shrove Tuesday. It has its popular celebratory aspects, as well.

Pancakes are a traditional food. Pancakes and related fried breads or pastries made with sugar, fat, and eggs are also traditionally consumed at this time in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Karneval, Fasching, or Fastnacht among others, depending on the region. In standard German, schmutzig means "dirty", but in the Alemannic dialects schmotzig means "lard" (Schmalz), or “fat" "Greasy Thursday", as remaining winter stores of lard and butter used to be consumed at that time, before the fasting began.

In Italy Mardi Gras is called Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday). It's the main day of Carnival along with the Thursday before, called Giovedí Grasso (Fat Thursday), which ratifies the start of the celebrations. The most famous Carnivals in Italy are in Venice, Viareggio and Ivrea. Ivrea has the characteristic "Battle of Oranges" that finds its roots in medieval times.

In the Belgian city of Binche, the Mardi Gras festival is one of the most important days of the year and the summit of the Carnival of Binche. Around 1000 Gilles dance throughout the city from morning until past dusk, whilst traditional carnival songs play.

Carnival is the most famous Brazilian holiday. During this time, Brazil attracts 70% of its tourists. Variations in carnival celebrations are observed throughout the multitude of Brazilian cities. Yet, a commonality observed among them is the incorporation of samba into the celebrations. The southeastern cities of Brazil have massive parades that take place in large sambadromes. The Rio Carnival is where two million people celebrate in the city.

The Netherlands also has a festival similar to Mardi Gras. It's called Carnaval and is similar to the Venice Carnival. The origin of the word Carnaval is carnem levare which means "to take away meat" in Latin, or carne vale, Latin for "farewell to meat". It marks the beginning of Lent (March 1, 2017) leading up to Easter.

Both Russia and Ukraine have the festival of Maslenitsa (Масленица, rus.), which on its pagan side celebrates the end of winter and the upcoming summer, and on its Christian side marks the last week before the Great Fasting period before Christian Easter. The festival includes family gatherings with festive meals and treats of bliny (crepes) that resemble the round shape of sun, and culminates on the weekend with mass outdoors gatherings, festivities and entertaining activities.

Carnaval de Barranquilla is Colombia's Mardi Gras celebration. In 2003, it was proclaimed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In the Czech Republic it is a folk tradition to celebrate Mardi Gras, which is called Masopust (meat-fast i.e. beginning of fast there). There are celebration in many places including Prague but the tradition also prevails in the villages such as Staré Hamry.

In Sweden the celebration is called Fettisdagen, when you eat fastlagsbulle, more commonly called Semla. The name comes from the words "fett" (fat) and "tisdag" (Tuesday). Originally, this was the only day one should eat fastlagsbullar.

Carnival parades take place in many cities including Dunkerque, Granville, Sarreguemines as well as in the French Caribbean islands Guadeloupe and Martinique.

The Nice Carnival in France is one of the world's major Carnival celebrations. It is held annually in Nice on the French Riviera. The earliest records establish its existence in 1294 when the Count of Provence, Charles Anjou, wrote that he had passed "the joyous days of carnival."This may make the Nice Carnival the original carnival celebration. Today the event attracts over a million visitors to Nice every year. The Carnival celebrations in Nice span a two-week period.

Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane.

The expedition, led by Iberville, entered the mouth of the Mississippi River on the evening of March 2, 1699 (new style), Lundi Gras. The party proceeded upstream to a place on the east bank about 60 miles downriver from where New Orleans is today, and made camp. This was on March 3, 1699, Mardi Gras, so in honour of this holiday, Iberville named the spot Point du Mardi Gras (French: "Mardi Gras Point") and called the nearby tributary Bayou Mardi Gras.

The celebration on the same day in Germany knows many different terms, such as Schmutziger Donnerstag or Fetter Donnerstag (Fat Thursday), Unsinniger Donnerstag, Weiberfastnacht, Greesentag and others, and are often only one part of the whole carnival events during one or even two weeks before Ash Wednesday be called

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February festivals in Bulgaria

Sirni Zagovesni Sirni Zagovesni or Forgiveness Sunday is a celebration of universal forgiveness. It is observed always seven weeks before Easter. On this day, the Orthodox Church calls the believers to purify their souls, to fill their hearts with peace and love to meet the Risen Christ.

transgressions, God will not forgive their countless transgressions which are an insult to God himself.

In some Bulgarian villages on this day they say: "Forgive - forgive!", Ie "I forgive you and you forgive me”.

The tradition of masquerading on Zagovesni date back to the Middle Ages and even long before, but in our country it is kept only in some places. Masks are supposed to drive away the evil spirits that roam among people, the carnival symbolises the victory of light over the dark, ie the onset of spring and the end of winter. The famous Kukeri festivals are linked to this centuries-old custom.

At meal time, only dairy and egg dishes are eaten, which is why the day is called Sirni (cheese) - the last Sunday before the Great Fast. On Forgiveness Sunday everyone is expected to grant forgiveness for deliberate or unintended insults, for bad thoughts and intentions towards their relatives, friends and everyone in general. It is said in the Bible that if anyone does not forgive his neighbor's

February Kukeri Festivals Kukeri is a word thought to be derived from Latin, from the word for “hood”. In Bulgaria it is used about men who perform rituals during kukeri festivals in Bulgaria to chase evil spirits, and their attire is especially picturesque. They wear animal masks, made of wood, with horns; some of the masks are even double faced, to symbolize good and evil.

They are mostly masks of rams, goats, bulls, and can be adorned with colorful pieces of cloth, mirror pieces, etc. The colors in kukeri’s masks are careful-

ly chosen: red prevails, to remind of the revival in nature, the sun and nature’s fertility, black is added to symbolize earth, and white stands for light and water.

Hanging on kukeri’s waists are large bells, made from copper or brass, which sound as the performers of the ritual do their dancing. Chasing evil spirits by kukeri can be witnessed both in the period around New Year’s Day and prior to Lent.

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February notable dates in Bulgaria

Trifon Zarezan

The Bulgarian holiday of vine-growers and

wine-makers Trifon Zarezan (Pruning Trifon) is so popular that it is celebrated both in accordance with the old and the new holiday calendar, i.e. at present it is celebrated on February 1st, but many people prefer to repeat it on February 14th. The roots of this holiday are hidden in the far distant past and probably are related to the Thracian god of the wine Dionysius.

The festivities on the Day of Trifon Zarezan mark the dividing line between the ending winter and the nearing spring. The transition between the two seasons stirs the most fierce conflict in the annual natural cycle – it is the transition between the dead winter season and the invigorating powers of the following seasons. That is why, namely in this period, rituals are performed to strengthen and ensure a triumph of vitality and fruitfulness. Through the rituals, man applies all means for encouraging nature. Women knead special round loafs – a symbol of the fertile field, and generously hand them out to neighbours and relatives. The men go to the fruit-trees which did not bear fruit in the winter and threaten them, ritually, that they will hew them off. Then another participant in the ritual promises that in the next spring the trees will once again be fruitful and so, they should be spared.

Maya Metodieva

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February notable dates in Bulgaria

The Legend of St. Valentine Every

February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from?

The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery.

We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.

When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasise his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Maya Metodieva 9

23rd Charity Bazaar update

Report from the Treasurer Country

24.1.2018

Bazaar Day:

Monetary Donations & Post Sales 246,848.00 As of: Jan 23, 2018

74,666.73

Dear friends, It was an honor to be a part of the 23rd Annual IWC Charity Bazaar.

It was especially satisfying to see the overwhelming success of this year’s event which was the result of the hard work of so many selfless volunteers! A large part of the Bazaar’s success is also owed to the country stallholders and the dedicated IWC board.

I would like to thank my Treasury Team: Kelsa, Elitsa, Christie, Nancy, Anne, Hongbing, Teodora, Vivi, Alexsandra, Dora and Terry. I personally appreciate your gift of time, energy, and enthusiasm as we filled out receipts and contracts, counted, sorted, and bundled all money collected – raising over 370,000 LEVA for many Bulgarian charities.

Cheers to the start of a happy and healthy 2018!

Best Wishes,

Mary Gullett Treasurer, International Women’s Club of Sofia

IWC Stalls Book Stall

Charity Stalls 1,616.60 Agapedia

421.50

Patchwork

740.00 Caritas-Annunciation

452.00

Photo's with Santa

122.33 Cedar Foundation

474.10

26,813.00 Children w/ONCO

2,191.30

3,166.60 Down Syndrome

2,398.50

Ticket Sales Tombola

Light for Life Pink Foundation Rojdestvo Hristovo Sdrujenie Usardie Star of Hope Tabitha Foundation Sub Total: Other Stalls Bulgarian-Moroccan Association

32,458.53 Sub Total:

361.00 628.59 1,720.00 15,215.73

Top 5 Stalls

560.00 Nordics

Wondergroup

276.00 Italy

Sub Total:

789.74 5,165.00

3,144.20 Greece

Sofia Municipality Stall

UNHCR

614.00

302.13 Poland 4,282.33 Lebanon

Grand Total 373,471.32

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23rd Charity Bazaar update

23rd Charity Bazaar ‘Thank you’ Cocktail

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23rd Charity Bazaar update

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Charity Update

Charity Projects 2018 Sample Evaluation Grid Once you have submitted a proposal, it will be evaluated by the Charity Committee evaluation team within following steps: • check if it is admissible (complete and properly put together) and eligible under the eligibility criteria stated in section 2.1. of the guidelines of the Call for Proposals • ask 2 independent members of the Charity Committee to evaluate it. If the final score of the 2 evaluators vary with more than 50%, the proposal will be evaluated by third member of the Charity Committee.

In the evaluation process, proposals are given scores for excellence, impact, and quality and efficiency of implementation – based on the Standard Evaluation Criteria.

The evaluation criteria are divided into sections and subsections. Each subsection will be given a score Max Evaluation criteria between 1 and 5 in accordance with the following score guidelines: whereas 1 = poorly meets the criteria and 5 = entirely meets the criteria. In addition, 0 = ORGANIZATION information not provided or irrelevant to criteria.

Experience in social activities, community The substantive element of a project is a prerequi1 work & public awareness campaigns, 5 site section, all applicants who fail to obtain the minimum pass mark of 20 out of 40 in this categoincluding work with vulnerable groups ry, will not be considered further, irrespective of the Successful implementation of previous social 2 5 other scoring sections. projects and experience with SDGs SUB-TOTAL

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PROJECT 3

4

5 6

Relevance of the proposal to the objectives of the call for proposals, indicating a clear target group Realistic and obtainable objectives, welldefined short-term and long-term results, with a relevant and specific project agenda Well defined stakeholders and beneficiaries engagement strategy, and well defined networking and partnership strategy Effective monitoring system and well defined indicators SUB-TOTAL

5

A Charity Committee Evaluation Meeting will be held on 7th March 2018 to check that the evaluation criteria have been consistently applied to all proposals for the same call.

5

The shortlisted projects will be proposed to IWC Executive Board for final evaluation and decision on grant making.

5 5 20

Knowledge of SDGs and working experience with them an asset

5

SUB-TOTAL

5

• best value for money; • the interest of the community.

After 19th March 2018, the Participants in the competition will informed by the Evaluation Results Letter of how their proposal did in the evaluation. A positive result does not constitute a confirmed offer of a grant but an invitation to sign a contract.

BUDGET 8

The final approval is carried by IWC Board of selected applications follows IWC’s procedures. The review considers whether the proposals put forward to them conform to the IWC rules and regulations, with special attention to the general principles of: • fairness, transparency and integrity; • effective competition;

PERSONNEL 7

Due to the limited number of grants (20), priority in the selection process will be given to NGOs which have not yet received an IWC grant

Clear, justified and consistent with project activities, with indication of in-kind or other donor contributions.

5

SUB-TOTAL

5

Following the evaluation round, grant preparations are opened for the highest-scoring proposals.

Continued on p. 13

OVERALL TOTAL

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Maya Gocheva

Charity Update

A big THANK YOU from the Light for Life foundation

Dear donors from the Charity Foundation of the International Women’s Club,

it proudly in school where she was noticed by her peers whereby receiving positive teenage comments by them. To your generous support we also owe the fact that we changed the old deformed non waterproof shoes with comfortable, sturdy and warm trainer shoes, which are extremely durable too. My daughter, totally mesmerised, exclaimed: “I am now like a fashion model!”

Dear Light for Life friends, I would like to extend a heartily thank you for your support of parents with disabilities for yet another year, in which you gave an opportunity for our children to be equipped with quality attire from the Decathlon store in Poduene!

Some parts of the notable outcome of this noble gesture of the IWC Charity Foundation’s managing team and the dedicated staff of the Light for life foundation which I see are the following:

Our children experience an untimely challenge in their lives to take on responsibilities which do not correspond with their age, but at the same time their needs match those of their peers! Our low parental incomes (in the form of disabled pension) on the other hand do not provide us with the means to ensure an adequate standard of living which they very much deserve! Up to this point, my daughter, whom I am bringing up on my own, was always dressed in clothes passed down by friends. Recently, when she turned 13, my usually unfussed child confided in me: “I don’t like wearing the clothes of other people. I would very much like to choose something by myself.”

• support for parents with disabilities; • building of our children’s dignity and self-esteem; • widening of our children’s horizons, giving them understanding of quality, bringing their expectations in life to a higher level; • supporting their beliefs by proving that miracles happen at Christmas!..

Thank you for your compassion and for choosing to be our beneficiaries and supporters!

Her wish was fulfilled this year before Christmas!

Thanks to you, dear donors! She got to change the old (second-hand) worn-out jacket with a new and modern one in her favourite fresh colour! She wore

With most sincere wishes for your good health and success in all your undertakings in 2018.

With gratitude, Raina Yotova, mother of Maria-Keara)

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Charity Update

Герои на тихия фронт както и малките прозорци, през които гората надничаше любопитно, радваха тялото и душата. А най-много ни зарадваха децата, малки и големи, "накацали'" по столовете и масите, довършвайки обяда си. Щом ни видяха, грейнаха в една обща усмивка с вдигнати ръчички за поздрав. Наскачаха пърхащо около нас при вида на торбите с подаръци и лакомства, които успешно бяха раздадени от Таня Конярова и Люба. Веселба, снимки, прегръдки и целувки радваха погледите както на децата, така и на двете жени, които се грижеха за тях. Тогава попитах, без всякакви очаквания, дали всички могат да изпеят една обща песен...Изненадата беше мигновенна! Децата запяха и изнесоха подготвяната Новогодишна програма с дълги стихотворения и песни. Всяко от тях искаше своята изява и рецитираше с очакване за похвала. В настанала за момент тишина, едно малко момиченце се приближи и със светещи очички започна "Рождество"..." Млада Бога се роди, грейте сребърни звезди, Бог е светъл като ден, Бог е тази нощ роден, той дошъл е в този свят, да насее благодат, и с любов да утеши, безнадеждните души...." И като отговор от Божествения свят, друго детенце запя : "Кичице, Кичице, буйна лобода ей……" Другите я поеха и цялата хижа се огласи от тази красива българска песен. Детските гласове се вплитаха един в друг и със силата на ентусиазма и детска енергия песента се понесе като полифония към Космоса. Вибрациите на чистия звук, вярното гърлено пеене, както и красотата на народното творчество попиваха в телата ни, и ни зареждаха с Космическа енергия...Един неочаквано незабравим момент! Преживявания, които ме преследваха през нощта и на другия ден, с усещането, че има смисъл да живеем.

М

ного слънчев есенен ден, покрит с ефирна снежна покривка, а небето синьо...синьо като от коприна. Пътуваме по лъкатушен път, полегнал в снежните полета на Костенец и Долна Баня. От двете страни на пътя, за почит сякаш строени, шпалират оголени зимно дървета, посипани със сняг и с всички цветни отражения на слънчевия обелиск. Сияещите по тях ледени гирлянди и прехвърчащите снежни пеперуди напомняха за приближаващите Коледни празници. След един от завоите на пътя се озовахме на точното място в гр. Долна Баня, цел на нашата мисия. В центъра на голям двор се издигаше монументално и достолепно красива старинна сграда, дарена преди 100 години от Андрей и Констанца Ляпчеви на деца, лишени от родителски грижи, която сграда напомняше за предходна епоха и възрожденски дух. Сега тук повече от 20 деца живеят сред ежедневните грижи и възпитание от страна на преподаватели, директорката на дома Милена Мачканова и колектив. Техният труд е майчината закрила, те правят живота на тези деца равностоен, смислен и с бъдеще. Най-точна представа за процеса на образование ни дава по-нова постройка на училище, изпълнена вътре с помещения за обучение. Ръчно изработени от децата декорации, техни рисунки и картини, както и добре оформена агитация за висок морал и добродетелно поведение, се набиват в очите така, както чистотата и светлината в празните стаи. "Децата ги няма”, поясни директорката. "Настанени са временно в хижата извън града, поради ремонт на основната сграда..." След топлото посрещане и разговори във връзка с работата на колектива, директорката ни посочи пътя към хижата и ние потеглихме с ентусиазъм. Не мина много време и се озовахме лице в лице с въпросната сграда. Разположена сред ниски планински хълмове, заобиколена от стари борове, ели и кипра беседка, хижата чакаше своите гости. Нарязаните и подредени отвън дърва за огрев предсказваха за топлата среща. Още от вратата се откри една архаично-романтична обстановка, която мигновено ни върна 50-те и повече години назад във времето, когато всеки престой на деца в планина и преспиване в хижа беше невероятно приключение… Обкованите с дърво стени на просторната и висока дневна стая, голямата опушена камина, мирисът на горящи дърва и топлината, ширеща се на талази,

Нека и ние да благодарим на всички онези, които се грижат, възпитават, облагородяват и обучават бездомни и без семейство деца. Техният достоен труд и достойни резултати показват, че борбата с невежеството и безпътието не е само задължение, а е и борба на тихия фронт, свързана с всички трудности и предизвикателства на съвременния свят. Стара мъдрост казва, че ако през живота си построиш една черква или спасиш човешки живот, си много близо до Господ. Тези тихи и всеотдайни хора са част от безименните герои на България. ПОКЛОН ПРЕД ТРУДА ИМ! Асиа Бломсма

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Charity Update

Heroes of the quiet front little and big, scattered around the chairs and tables, finishing their lunch.

As soon as they noticed us, they all smiled at once, their hands raised to greet us. They started bouncing around at the sight of the bags filled with gifts and treats being handed out without a miss by Tania Koniarova and Lyubka. Embracing, picture taking, hugging and kissing, were heart warming for both the children and their caretakers.

Then I asked, my hopes not raised too high, if they would come together to join in singing a song... What was my immediate surprise! The children started singing without hesitation and performed their rehearsed New Year's program with long poems and songs. Each of them waited for their turn and recited with anticipation for praise. In a moment of silence, a little girl came forward and with glowing eyes began singing "Nativity" ... "God is born, shining silver stars, God as bright as day, God was born this night, he came into this world to sow grace and love, to bring hope to hopeless souls‌" Then another child began singing like bringing an answer from the Divine world, when others joined in and the entire hut was thrilled by this beautiful Bulgarian song.

The voices of the children intertwine and, strengthened by their vigorous force and energy, the song shoots up to the cosmos with polyphonic harmony. The vibrations of pure sound, the clear voices, and the beauty of folk art resonate in our bodies, and we are filled with excitement... An unexpectedly unforgettable moment! These experiences followed me through the night and on the following day, with the feeling that our life is worth living.

Let us also give thanks to all those who care, educate, nurture and train homeless and abandoned children. Their worthy work and worthy results show that fighting ignorance is not only an obligation, but is also a struggle on the quiet front presenting us with all the difficulties and challenges of the modern world.

An old piece of wisdom says that if you build a church or save someone’s life, you are very close to the Lord. These silent and devoted people are some of the nameless heroes of Bulgaria.

LET US BOW BEFORE THEM!

A

very sunny autumn day revealing a delicate snow cover and a blue blue sky... blue as silk. We travel on a winding road, leading through the snow fields of Kostenets and Dolna Banya. On both sides of the road, as if to honor us, perch snow-covered winter trees, and all the colorful reflections of the solar obelisk. The icecovered garlands on their branches and the flying snow butterflies speak of the approaching Christmas holidays. After one of the turns on the road we find ourselves at the right spot, which is the town of Dolna Banya, the goal of our mission. At the middle of a large courtyard, reminiscent of a previous age, stood a courtly, monumental and beautiful old building donated a hundred years ago by Andrei and Constanza Lyapchevi, to children deprived of parental care. Now, more than 20 children are trusted upon the everyday care and education of the teachers, the head of the home Milena Machkanova and the team. Their maternal protection and care makes the lives of these children just, meaningful and hopeful.

The most accurate idea of the education process is given to us by the new building of a school filled with training facilities. Children's decorations, their drawings and paintings, as well as well-formed agitation for high morality and virtuous behavior, catch our eyes, as well as the purity and light in the empty rooms. "The children are gone," the director said, "They are temporarily at the hut outside the city because of the renovation of the main building..."

After the warm welcome and talk about the work of the team, the director pointed the way to the hut and we started with enthusiasm. It did not take long and we faced the building in question. Situated in low mountain hills, surrounded by old pine trees, firs and a wooden pavilion, the hut was awaiting its guests. The cut and arranged firewood on the outside foretold of the warm meeting. A door was opened and an archaic-romantic atmosphere that sent us instantly to the 50-ies and beyond rushed in. It took us back to the times when every outing to the mountains we had as children, sleeping in a hut, was an incredible adventure... The wood-clad walls of the high spacious hall, the large smoky fireplace, the smell of burning wood and the swarming heat, as well as the small windows through which the forest curiously peeked in, pleased body and soul. And the most delightful thing for us was to see the children,

Asia Blomsma 17

January highlights IWC-Sofia January Monthly Lunch at Petrus Restaurant

IWC-Sofia January Coffee Morning at Capella Restaurant

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January highlights IWC-Sofia Christmas party

For the first time on the 17th of December last year, at the Best Western Airport hotel, IWC members & families got together to mark the begging of a wonderful festive occasion – a IWC Christmas party.

After the pressures of the Annual Charity Bazaar in the beginning of December, what could be a better way to unwind and celebrate the approaching Christmas festivities - enjoying conversations with fellow members over a glass wine, a tasty hot buffet and a DJ who managed to fill the dance floor. All who attended brought various bottles of vines, drinks and juices, which provided a wide variety of drinks.

Of course no family party would be complete without our wonderful children, running around and paying. While outside was a very windy and snowy afternoon, inside we were having warm cheers, kids limbo competition and Latin dancing for all. It was a truly fun event. It would be great to carry on with this initiative every year turning it into a IWC tradition.

Albena Jones

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Ongoing Activities

February Patchwork Group

Bulgarian Conversation 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!

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

To the attention of anyone who wish to improve conversational Russian language regardless of the level of her knowledge and practice: the new Russian Conversation group starts from February planning to meet twice a month. Everybody who is interested is welcome. Please contact Marieta Neykova who is a native Russian speaker by e-mail: neykovamp@dir.bg or tel. 0889 84 93 54.

Russian Conversation Group

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.

NEW

Hiking Club Bridge

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).

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 info contact Diana: dianakolarova@yahoo.com, 0888 423 150 or Marieta: neykova-mp@dir.bg, 0889 849 354.

English Conversation Group

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 0888 495066 or her email: teodora_p@yahoo.com.

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.

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

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Members News and Announcements February birthdays Henriette Tougaard, 5th February Rositsa Ivanova, 14th February

Members of IWC-Sofia, your family members & friends, you are welcome to come and register for classes to learn from zero level (or improve) your English, Arabic, and Bulgarian languages, plus drawing and painting with watercolours, acrylic, and oil colours, we have good and reduced prices!

Desislava Ivanova, 19th February IWC CHARITY COMMITTEE MEETING

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

7th March at 10:00 am at the IWC office

Do you want to be fitter?

Do you need more sport activities?

MOTIVATED BY PEOPLE

Offer for participation in MultiSport program

Prices for participation in the program MultiSport*: Price for 1 month Number of employees 5-10

Number of employees 11-25

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The employer funds 100% of the monthly subscription

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The Employer and employees share the monthly subscription

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The employee pays 100% of the monthly subscription (at least 10 employees)

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With MultiSport you get: • Increase of engagement and loyalty of the employees • Decrease in staff turn over rate and reductions of sick leaves • Positive brand perception and increase in competitive advantages of the company as an employer • Improve in employees performance – above all a happy employee is a productive employee!

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Additional card for kids – Multisport KIDS

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* All prices listed in this offer are without VAT benefitsystems.bg

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Monthly events

5th February: Chocolate making workshop

Monday, 5th February

12.00pm: Chocolate making workshop Chicolatti Chocolate house, 10 Macedonia blvd.

Are you a chocolate lover? Do you want to see how all of these delicious chocolates are made? Now you can while enjoying a cup of coffee with a croissant at the Chicolatti Chocolate house. For more information contact Maya Metodieva at vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org.

13th February: monthly coffee morning Tuesday, 13th February

10.30pm: February Coffee Morning Arena di Serdica Hotel Panorama Restaurant, Budapeshta Street 2

22nd February: Monthly lunch Thursday, 22nd February

12.30pm: February Monthly Lunch Ranchero Steak House by Bodega, 4 Nikola Vaptsarov Blvd., Lozentets

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