July-August 2017

July/August 2017

Newsletter

of the International Women’s Club in Sofia

Asian Festival Summer Opera Sofia Breathes Next MCM: 1st August, 5th September at Capella Restaurant, Sofia Park Center

Letter from the President

Dear Ladies, I will start by thanking you for the trust you bestowed on me, giving me the opportunity to serve the club as the new IWC president for 2017/2018. I would like to welcome Claudia, Iliana, Mihaela, Elitsa Lingorski and Zarina as our new team and board members. I wish to thank my predecessor Angela and her board members for their service.

I would also like to thank all the existing members for their tireless dedication and hard work supporting the social aspect of IWC and its Charity Bazaar.

Currently, our club has over 127 members from 36 different nationalities. It is essential to continue providing a welcoming environment and to strengthen the relationship between all members, both current and new. Without your engagement this will not be possible. Team work and respect for each other's background, culture and experience will allow us to have a strong sense of community.

I am looking forward to a truly remarkable and exciting year together.

Yours sincerely,

Lilly White President 2017-2018

Cover image by Lilly White, Kavarna Bay

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IWC Executive Board 2017-2018 President Lilly White 0879 119 152 0883 221 961 president@iwc-sofia.org

Charity Chairperson Mihaela Dobre 0879 119 154 charity@iwc-sofia.org

Treasurer Claudia Mohite 0879 506 800 treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

Vice-President vacant president@iwc-sofia.org

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

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

Web/Newsletter Editor: Elitsa Lingorski 0877 369 483 office@iwc-sofia.org International Women’s Club 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.

will be open to guests. Events that are open to guests will also carry a ‘guest’ surcharge as follows:

Bulgarian Applicants Unfortunately, due to a lack of available spaces, new Bulgarian applicants will be added to the waiting list, until further notice

Monthly Events

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.

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

these activities without becoming a member.

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.

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 ex-

Guests will be able to attend the events that are specified at the time. Not all events

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.

Letter from the Charity Chairperson

Charity update

First of all I would like to thank all of you that voted for me. The results are completely satisfied and in the future it will be very important to trust each other.

The main reason to apply for this important and non-profit position for me was the lack of candidates and my strong will to help people in need and spending the money earned from the Christmas bazar as sufficient as possible.

For sure I will need your help, all of you that have time are welcome to participate in discussion of future projects or current one that Maria Ilieva has started. More than welcome to join the club visits connected with different projects, some of them out of town.

As part of the board I would like to invite all of you to join the other events too that a club organizing for all the ladies, come with new initiative too. For example ECG, monthly lunch, patchwork by Dushiza and etc. are quite successful. As you know we still don’t have Vise president and it is difficult for the board to fulfill all obligations and in the same time to develop the club. Means attract new members, help Mihaela Dobre to earn more money at the bazar for donations, come with new proposals for different events, interesting for all of you ladies.

Please, do not hesitate to contact me any time or call me – 0888923570.

Very best regards,

Iliana

IWC & Tabitha Foundation Yearly BBQ at the Center for Social Services for Children and Families in Roman

18th July 2017 10:30 – 16:00 Meeting point: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 10:00 and the expected return time will be around 16:30.

Transport: Tabitha’s van (7 seats available) and Carpooling. The town of Roman is 125 km NW of Sofia.

There are 50 children in the center between the age of 7 and 19 years; 30 children in the Social Center for Family Type Accommodation itself and 20 at the Day Care Center for Children with Disabilities.

Every summer, for more than 15 years IWC and Tabitha Foundation have organized a BBQ at the center in Roman. IWC Sofia has supported renovations in the home and educational and vocational programs and academic scholarships. The IWC supports two grandmothers in Roman on the Baba project. The BBQ is an opportunity to spend a day with the less fortunate children from the center and pay them attention. There will be a group of young volunteers from Holland, who are helping the children. We will also visit the Day Care Center for Old People in Roman, set up by Tabitha Foundation where the IWC baba works as a volunteer.

We kindly request the participants to bring for the BBQ, some cakes, sweets, fruits, soft drinks, quiches, salads, etc. If you want bring your children, too!

For further details, please contact: Albena Matova on 0888 511 519 (tabitha@dir.bg) or Iliana Zlatareva, Charity Chair at 359-888-923570.

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When in Bulgaria

Cape Kaliakra

Cape Kaliakra is one of the most beautiful and historic Capes in Europe. Situated close to the Romanian border, it is a favourite stop for tourists looking for pretty sights and interesting historic places to visit north of Varna. The fortress was successively used by Tracians, Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians.

According to legends, the fortress was guarding the treasuries of Lyzimah, successor of Alexander the Great. Today there are quite many remains of those ancient settlements, which can be seen exhibited in a small museum. One can also read there a legend telling the story of several Bulgarian girls who chose to jump from the high cape into the sea but not to be captured and converted to Islam by the Turks. The Kaliakra cape was declared a protected area in 1941.

It is one of the few places where the rare species of sea and bird life. Nearby he Durankulak Lake is famous for hosting more than 250 rare species – fish, reptiles, amphibians, marsh birds and plants, many of them included in the Red Book of Bulgaria. The lake is declared a protected area. But it is not only nature that attracts experts and tourists to this place. On the Big island, in the lake, is located an archaeological park called by the scientists “Bulgarian Troy”.

At Cape Kaliakra, you will find endless ways to fill your days from Golf on three of the finest courses in Europe, bathing in several private beaches to indulging in a pampering massage. As the sun sets over the coast, enjoy dining in our luxury restaurants or head into Varna for a taste of Bulgaria’s nightlife at our largest coastal city. Then retreat to the luxury of a spacious guest room or our fully serviced Villas, and let your dreams take flight.

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Ivan Vazov National Theatre – the most imposing theatre in Bulgaria The “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre is Bulgaria's biggest theatre, as well as the oldest and most stand out theatre in the country and, additionally, one of the major landmarks of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.

The exquisite theatre is located in the centre of the city and its imposing edifice faces the City Garden.

National Theatre 'Ivan Vazov' is amongst major landmarks in Sofia due to its prime location and grandiose architecture.

Founded in 1904 by the artists from the ‘Salza i Smyah’ /in English: ‘Tear and Laughter’/ theatre, initially, it was called simply the National Theatre, but soon after it was named after the prominent Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov.

The theatre's Neoclassical building, designed by famous Viennese theatre architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, was finished in 1906 and opened in 1907. After a fire in 1923, which seriously damaged the imposing theatre, it was rebuilt and reconstructed between the years 1925 and 1928 from architect A.Momov and engineer M. Sakelarov according to the plans of an architect from Dresden Dulfer. Thus, the seats in the main hall are increased to 1200, the scene is more spacious and provided with modern equipment. Virtually the original appearance of the theater was preserved, however, changes were made in the volume, interior and facade.

A theatrical school was established as part of the National Theatre in 1925. Again the bombing of Sofia in World War II caused considerable damage to the building, but it was reconstructed in 1945.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre has a well-equipped main stage with 750 seats, a smaller 120-seat stage and an additional 70-seat one on the fourth floor.

The theatre employs some of the country’s best actors and stage directors, many of whom are widely popular all over Europe.

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Events in July and August Sunday, 2nd July 10.00am: Asian Bazaar Tuesday, 11th July 10.30am: Monthly Coffee Morning, Capella Restaurant

Tuesday, 18th July 10.30am: IWC Charity event Tabitha Foundation visit to the Social Centre in the village of Roman Wednesday, 26th July 12:30pm: Monthly Lunch Villa Spaggo

Tuesday, 1st August 10.30am: Monthly Coffee Morning at Capella Restaurant Saturday, 12th August 12:30: Monthly lunch Claudia Mohite's residence Saturday-Sunday, 26th – 27th August Urban Cultural Festival, Sofia

Ongoing activities 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 hik ers 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

Bootcamp

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.

We are an English language OUTDOOR exercise group.We meet every Tuesday (bootcamp) and Thursday (pilates/ yoga) at 10.30 am. In the warmer months we do our trainings at the park behind PCS (Park Center Sofia) mall. In colder months/unsuitable weather, we train at the 360 Health Club in Park Center Sofia (top floor). Motivated by an expert instructor, we spend up to 1 hour of great workout with plenty encouragement and support to reach our fitness goals while enjoying exercise in a group atmosphere. Any level welcome! Contact Nadya Wuisan-Bratanova at nw.bratanova@gmail.com for more information.

English Conversation Group We are five native English speakers who take it in turns to lead a weekly conversation group every Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Different venues and topics are chosen every week. All members and all levels are welcome. Please enquire at CM to see who is leading this group, as there were changes.

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

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 email: jansory1@yahoo.fr.

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.

Bulgarian Conversation Group (NEW!!)

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.

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First Asian Bazaar comes to Sofía!

When approached by the Indonesian Ambassador to Sofia, H.E. Mme. Sri Astari Rasjid, to participate in the Asian bazaar to collect money for our charity foundation, the outgoing board were very happy to agree to run the Tombola, where all the proceeds would be donated for our projects.

On the day, the sun was shining (maybe a little too much! ) and due to the great publicity, people flocked to Borisova Gradina to enjoy everything the bazaar had to offer. Food, entertainment and souvenirs were going down well, not to mention the purchase of our Tombola tickets, with a chance to win a return flight for two to an Asian destination, donated by Turkish Airlines! There were also great consolation prizes from Riu Pravets Hotel, Victoria Spa, Hilton and Imami restaurants. We were busy all day and we estimate over 800 tickets were sold raising 4265 BGN for our charity projects. To add to this amazing amount, the embassies of Thailand and The Philippines donated the proceeds from their own stalls, 1940 BGN and 711 BGN respectively together with donations from Indonesia, 500 BGN and Vietnam 600 BGN, a grand total raised on the day of 8016 BGN.

The tombola draw was at 20:00 that evening at the closing of the bazaar, all winners if not present, will be contacted by telephone by the event organisers. As soon as we have a list of the winners we will publish the details on our Facebook page.

Our thanks to all who came to enjoy this great event with us, especially those who purchased tickets and a big thank you to the Asian community for including us in this wonderful event and for all the donations, greatly received.

Angela Bird We look forward to the 2nd Asian bazaar!

IWC President 2016-2017

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July birthdays Susan Barclay, 7 July

Dusica Trkulja, 9 July

Toi Castelló Reñé, 18 July

Maya Alexandrova, 23 July Sory Jan, 23 July Penka Baltova, 24 July

Sevdalina Rankova, 25 July Iliana Zlatareva, 26 July

Maria Naslednikova, 28 July

August birthdays Natalia Evtimova-Sotirova, 2 August Franziska Bieri, 4 August Petya Videnov, 6 August Jane Ewing, 6 August Diana Kolarova, 8 August Souad Jindi, 9 August Stephanie Karaolois, 10 August Marsha Foster, 13 August Mary Gulett, 15 August Marianna Maclaren, 20 August Claudia Mohite, 23 August Asya Alexandrova, 28 August Maria Piguleva, 28 August Maria Casals Rosello, 31 August

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Sofia Breathes In 2017 the urban culture festival Sofia Breathes will take place in June and August In 2017, the urban festival Sofia Breathes, which for the eighth consecutive year will close some of the central streets in the city for vehicles to open space for art and culture, will have a new model of conducting.

Traditionally, the festival was held every Sunday in August, and last year it covered green areas and park areas around its locations. This year, the organizers – Sofia Breathes Foundation and Sofia Municipality offer the summer festival to be held on the last Saturdays and Sundays in June and August – June 24 and 25 and August 26 and 27. The idea is to broaden and diversify the scope of the festival in order to include it in the active cultural program for the preparation of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe in 2018.

Sofia Breathes Foundation also announces an open invitation to all Bulgarian and foreign artists who would like to join the festival at www.sofiadisha.com. This year’s festival will once again focuses on the support and performance of young Bulgarian artists in the field of applied, visual arts, music and cinema.

During Sofia Breathes 2017, the locations will be divided into thematic areas, which has become a successful model since last year. “The Art Zone” will host the planned concerts, exhibitions and screenings of the festival program, in support of the creative talents of Bulgaria. The Children’s Zone will host all the active events that educate, train and entertain our small visitors and their parents and will support the cause against child abuse. “The Sports Zone” will have a variety of sports facilities and sports items, as well as demonstrations and outdoor trainings on different sports in support of the healthy lifestyle. “The Bargain Zone” will presents Bulgarian hand-made artists and designers, as well as exhibitions of the participating artists. The new “Bulgaria Zone” will presents traditional Bulgarian crafts, music and dances.

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Opera in the park Head to the Military Academy for some great summer opera performances. Tickets can be purchased from the Sofia Opera in Vrabcha Street. For more info call + 359 2 8006266 or E-mail: reservations@operasofia.bg

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Summer Opera in Sofia

Opera at the Antique Theater in Plovdiv

SOFIA OPERA AND BALLET

Thu, July6 DON QUIXITE A dance performance of ballet ARABESQUE and the orchestra of Opera Plovdiv Sat, July 8 CHICAGO Coproduction of State Opera Plovdiv and State musical theatre Stephan Macedonski Sat, July 15 LA FORZA DEL DESTINO – G. Verdi International co-production Fri, July 21 TURANDOT– Puccini with special guest Lila Lee and Kamen Chachev Sun, July 23 THE SOUND OF STRADIVARIUS with special guest Chamber Stradivarius Orchestra, Holland Wed, July 26 VIVA L’OPERETTA Sat, July 29 AIDA – G. Verdi

Members Announcements Lovely Guest House that I would like recommend. It is a house from 1871, very nicely restored, with 6 or 7 rooms. The house can accommodate 15 people in total. It is open all year long, it has a swimming pool for the summer and a fireplace in a nice living room for the winter. There is a kitchen to share with all the guests or you can order your meals. It is run by a local family and they serve real home made food made of products from the farmers in the area or from their own garden. Service is really excellent and they always make you feel at home. The house is suitable either for families with children, for couples or for groups of friends.

It is located in Lyaskovets, at 7 km of Veliko Tarnovo and 4 km from Arbanasi. So many nice monasteries and places to visit around that you are not going to be bored, although the house is so comfortable that you can spend all the weekend there and simply relax.

We were so impressed with the house, the service and the kindness of the owner, that we would like to share our great experience with you. If you have the chance, don´t hesitate to visit it, it is really worth it.

You can book it directly by phone, +359 887 919 850, the name of the owner is Plamen. Or through booking.com, where you can see all the good reviews. Of course, more information on https://www.facebook.com/pg/pak.epohi/ about/.

Toi Castello

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June Events in photos June Monthly Lunch at Mediterraneo Restaurant

Meeting of new and previous members of the board

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Maki’s Farewell

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Katayoun’s spring brunch

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June Food Connection

Lisa Freij Farewell Party

Around the World with Hilton

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