June 2018

June 2018

of the International Women’s Club-Sofia

1st of June – International Children’s Day

July Coffee Morning – 3rd of July (10.30) Arena di Serdica Hotel

president’s letter Dear IWC ladies, The summer month of June kick starts with a wonderful celebration – 01st of June, International children’s day.

IWC Executive board 2017-2018

President Albena Jones, UK gsm: 0879 119 152 president@iwc-sofia.org Vice-President Maya Metodieva, BG vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org Treasurer Desislava Ivanova, BG treasurer@iwc-sofia.org Bazaar Coordinator Bazaar Team Nicole Simmons Diana Michaels-Christopher USA gsm: 0879 506 799 c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com Charity Chairperson Maya Gocheva-Ash UK/BG charity@iwc-sofia.org Address 67A Postoyanstvo st., 1111 Sofia tel: 02 951 6117 www.iwc-sofia.org Office Manager & Membership Coordinator Zarina Benoun-Takova gsm: 0895 571 813 office@iwc-sofia.org tel.: 02 951 6117 (please call before visiting)

Project and Office Support Associate Milena Varzonovtseva admin@iwc-sofia.org www.iwc-sofia.org https://www.facebook. com/IWC2017

As you all know here at the IWC we greatly encourage and support Bulgarian children charities year after year. At our recent funding support distribution for 2018, we supported 12 such charity organizations. Aiding children in need is a very humanitarian and rewarding experience.

Little Nasko is one of the children Actually the origin of Internationbenefiting from the IWC funding, he breathes assi al Children’s Day dates back to 1925 sted by a tube in his throat. Without our help his when an important event took place mother and grandmother would have not in Geneva on the 01st of June 1925 - the been able to afford his treatment.

World Conference for the Wellbeing of Children was held for the first time.

Since then Children’s Day is recognised on this date, each year by the following countries: Albania, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Macau, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tanazia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen and Algeria.

Personally when I was a child I really liked and looked forward to this day, as it so much fun and it was customary to receive a present from your parents. The International Children’s Day was introduced in Bulgaria in the early fifties of the 20th century. It was adopted by the Bulgarian children and adults on a personal level, as well as in schools and other public institutions. It coincides with the beginning of summer and takes place near the end of the school year.

This is also a day when we look at all children, to promote togetherness and children wellbeing, for that reason, as the IWC Ambassador I accepted an invitation and spent the day with my daughter in Plovdiv at the family support center of “For Our Children Foundation”, one of the NGO’s the IWC supports this year. It was a truly memorable day; we met and played with the children, parents and foster parents. The positive atmosphere – games, entertainment, presents and a big cake brought smiles to everyone’s face, for sure at this 01st of June celebration, most forgot kids about their personal or health challenges.

The event was beautifully and thoughtfully organized by the local management and staff of For Our Children Foundation.

Keeping in with the children’s theme this month, here at the IWC we decided to emphasize on family oriented club activities, to specially include children of all ages. Besides being parental role models, as a woman’s group it’s important that we integrate our young ones into our social interactions, so we can promote international awareness and togetherness among them too.

Enjoy the month of June ladies - enjoy the events, enjoy the sunny weather and enjoy the life we live to the fullest!

Love and blessings!

Albena Jones IWC President

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

group, a charge may be added for instance if a guest regularly frequents one of these activities without becoming a member.

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

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.

*Charge for guests at the discretion of the activity group organiser with a min. sum of 10 BGN.

Suggestion Box The suggestion box is always available at the members’ signin 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.

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.

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 Membership Coordinator at admin@iwc-sofia.org.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 newsletter@iwc-sofia.org not later than the 15th of the preceding month.

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.

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24 of June - Enyovden/Midsummer is the day of the healing herbs Enyovden is a traditional Bulgarian folk holiday which is celebrated each year on the 24th of June. This holiday coincides with the summer solstice and therefore much of the customs surrounding it are related to the path of the sun and its cult. On the same date the Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist, and often the rituals and traditions of the two feasts interweave.

In the different geographic areas the name is pronounced differently - in Sofia region the name of the holiday is Yanevden, Struga - Ivanen, Ohrid - Ivandon, Veliko Tarnovo - Ivan Bilobor or Dragyika.

In people’s beliefs with Enyovden starts the distant beginning of the winter. It is believed that on the morning of the holiday, when the sun rises, it “flicks”, “plays” and whoever sees it, will be healthy throughout the year.

Right at sunrise, everyone has to face the sun and observe their shadow. If it reflects the whole body, the person will be healthy during the year, if only half - he will suffer. It is believed that, before “going to winter”, the sun bathes in the water sources and makes the water healing. Then it shakes it off and the dew that falls has a special magic power. Therefore, everyone should wash before sunrise in running water or brush up in dew for health.

So it happened. The angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah and revealed to him the mercy of God: “Your prayer was heard: Your wife Elisabeth will bear you a son, and you will call him the name John ... he will be great before the Lord ... and many sons of Israel turn to their Lord God ... “.

The angel promised that this son would be a great saint and ancestor of the Redeemer of mankind.

Soon Elisabeth conceived. Pious spouses warmly thanked God for showing this great mercy to them. But the news of everything that happened soon became known. Jesus Christ was born in the time determined by the prophets.

On Enyovden the Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist, also called the Lord’s Forerunner for having prepared the way for the Savior to appear, later baptizing Him in the waters of the Jordan River.

In a panic, the cruel and suspicious King Herod, the Jewish King, who feared that Jesus was the descendant of King David, and could take away his throne, issued an order to kill all babies up to the age of two in Bethlehem and its surroundings.

John was born in the days of King Herod in the family of Zechariah the priest and his wife Elisabeth, who was a cousin to St. Anna, the Mother of the Mother of God. The two righteous people lived according to God, but they did not have a child, even though they were already old. However, they prayed to God to do a miracle with them: to give them a son.

John was also threatened with murder, so the anxious mother hid with him in a desert mountain cave. Soon older parents died. By God, their son grew up in the wilderness, and stayed there until the day that he appeared to Israel.

Maya Metodieva

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May highlights May Coffee Morning

After the May Coffee morning there was a Joint Board meeting between the old and the new board of IWC.

Monthly lunch - 15 May Due to popular demand last month’s IWC lunch was at Ranchero Bodega. We enjoyed a meat feast variety and some cocktails along with great conversation and laughter.

Make sure you join and enjoy our June monthly lunch!

Maya Metodieva

IWC Vice-president

English conversation (ECG) The English conversation group is one of the most popular IWC activities over the years. We have always relied on the good will of native English-speaking members to lead the event once a week. Currently the event is coordinated by the lovely Avantica Shinde. We are looking for more English native speakers to join our leader’s group. The commitment will be an hour and a half, on a Thursday, once a month

Azerbaijan National Day We had the pleasure to be invited by H.E. Nargiz Gurbanova, the Ambassador in Bulgaria, to attend the 100-year anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The event was attended by hundreds of distinguished guests at the Sofia Hotel Balkan on the 22 May. Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991, and the Azerbaijani people worked to shape a new state in which to enjoy their newfound liberty and independence, its leaders looked to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as a guiding light.

Albena Jones

IWC President

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Bazaar Team Meeting - 16 May The first Bazaar team meeting for 2018 took place on the 16th of May at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence and was hosted by the US Ambassador’s wife Nicole Simmons.

There were many ladies committed to the organization of the bazaar. Bazaar coordinators from the previous years shared their experience and knowledge with the new bazaar team members and the bazaar team was organized. 27 members have joined the team and 17 were present at the meeting. There is a lot of great experience and expertise on the team but there is still a lot of room for folks who want to help and have fun at the same time.

c) Stallholder coordination and stall layout team i) Angelina Makreva-lead ii) Gigi Balagot (stallholder coordination) iii) Toi Castello iv) Vessy Azar (floor plan/layout) d) Volunteer coordination (for Bazaar Week) team i) LEAD AND ADDITIONAL COORDINATORS NEEDED ii) Gigi Balagot—coordinate AAS student volunteers iii) Dominique Velociter—coordinate AEA student volunteers (requested) • The next meeting is on Wednesday June 6 at 10 am at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, 18 Veliko Tarnovo St.

e) Entertainment coordination (includes workshops) i) Svetlana Yanakieva—lead ii) Martina Mihaylova (also MC) iii) Tatyana Milanova-Kasimova (available after June 24) iv) Yana Petkova (possible)

• The first stallholder’s meeting is at the IEC on Wednesday June 13 at 11 am.

The preliminary team members list is: a) Sponsor team i) Diana Michaels-Christopher-lead ii) Gigi Balagot iii) Elitsa Lingorski

f) Security team i) Lori Pinkston-lead ii) Nicole Simmons iii) Albena Jones (requested) iv) Key member TBD from U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office

b) Public relations/advertising/municipal coordination team i) Elizaveta Petrusheva-lead ii) Nicole Simmons iii) Liliy Kisiova

g) Treasury team i) Desislava Ivanova—lead ii) Additional members to be recruited by Desi.

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INDONESIAN COOKING DEMONSTRATION AT THE INDONESIAN EMBASSY 21 May 2018 The May 2018 edition of International Women’s Club of Sofia featuring the Indonesian Cooking Demonstration, members has participate on a short journey of Indonesia culinary world.

A very enjoyable day, all the participants had the pleasure to learn how to cook the unique taste of Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng), Indonesian Chicken Stay (Sate Ayam) and Onde-onde sweet dessert (Sesame seed ball), guided by Indonesian Chef Tri Prasetyono.

By learning about the process on how to prepare the dishes, members would encouraged to practice and flourish their knowledge about Indonesian cuisine and how to prepare them.

Vivi Patricia Anis The recipes information:

Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng) Ingredients: • 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice • 2 eggs, beaten • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt • 8 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch strips (optional) • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 2 tablespoons chopped garlic • 1 medium onion, finely chopped • 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper • 1 tablespoon red chili (optional) • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce • 1 tablespoon) sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) • spring onions, finely chopped Directions: Boil rice in plenty of salted water until cooked.

Rinse, drain and spread the rice to cool.

Do this at least two hours ahead, or preferably, leave overnight in the fridge.

Combine eggs with salt and put aside (see below).

Heat wok or large frying pan over heat until hot.

Add oil and wait until it is very hot and slightly smoking.

Add the onions, garlic, and pepper, and stir-fry for 2 minutes.

Then add chicken and stir-fry for a further 2 minutes.

Add rice and continue to stir-fry for 3 minutes.

Now add the chili sauce (optional), oyster sauce and kecap manis/sweet soy sauce and continue to stir-fry for 2 minutes.

Finally, add egg mixture and continue to stir-fry for another minute.

Alternatively make 2 thin omelets from the egg mixture ahead of time and cut into strips.

These can then be used as garnish on the finished dish.

Turn onto large serving platter and garnish with the spring onion, cucumber, tomato and fresh cilantro.

Ready to serve. (for 6 people)

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Indonesian Chicken Satay (Sate Ayam) Ingredients: • 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 3/4 teaspoon salt • 1 pinch ground white pepper • 1 tablespoon sunflower seed oil • 24 wooden skewers Peanut Sauce: • 1 cup water • 5 tablespoons peanut • 2 tablespoons kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) • 1 tablespoon brown sugar • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 tablespoon lime juice Directions: Combine chicken thighs, 3/4 teaspoon salt, white pepper, and sunflower seed oil in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent burning during cooking.

Bring water, peanut, kecap manis, brown sugar, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a small saucepan; stir to combine. Remove from heat and add lime juice.

Thread marinated chicken onto skewers. Set about 2 tablespoons peanut sauce aside in a small bowl and brush the sauce in the bowl over chicken.

Heat a grill pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken skewers in batches on grill pan and cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve skewers with remaining peanut sauce from the saucepan.

Onde-onde (Sesame seed ball) Ingredients: • Filling: || 100 gr hulled mug bean, soak 4 hour || 100 gr sugar || 50 ml cream coconut milk || ½ teaspoon salt • Skin: || 50 gr steam potato [mashed] || 150 gr glutinous rice flour || 110 ml warm water || 50 gr icing sugar || ½ teaspoon salt || 50 gr Sesame seed || Oil for frying Directions: To make filing: In a steamer put mug bean, steam until tender.

Than blend together with coconut milk until smooth put the mixture in a pan Add sugar and salt. cook over medium heat while stirring dry and the mixture can be shape as marbles , Make about 16 piece for filling set aside To make skin: Mix potato, glutinous rice flour, water, sugar and salt together, knead to make smooth.

Roll the dough form small ball about ½ inch diameter flatten each ball and fill with filling mug bean ball.

Cover the filling completely with the dough and form ball again, dip the ball in the water and roll on sesame seed to cover the skin.

Heat oil in a frying pan and deep fry at low heat stirring well until golden brown and drain.

Arrange on serving plate and serve.

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PROGRAMM

XIV-th Mozart Festival – Pravets – 12 - 15 July 2018 Under the patronage of the Minister of Culture, Mr. Boil Banov Dedicated to 160 years since the birth of Giacomo Puccini, 200 years since the birth of Charles Gounod, 100 years since the birth of Leonard Bernstein, 120 years since the birth of George Gershwin

12 July, Thursday 19:00

The Square in front of the Pravets Municipality IN THE SPIRIT OF W. A. MOZART a concert in the Square Brass Orchestra – Veliko Tarnovo Conductor Vladimir Boshnakov OFFICIAL OPENING

20:00

Community Center “Zarya 1895” Stage Guest-performing for the first time in Bulgaria, Lindauer Marionetten Oper – Lindau, Germany W. A. Mozart DIE ZAUBERFLOTE an opera in two acts Director and Dramaturg Ralf Hechelmann Puppets Bernhard Leismüller Puppet Heads Sebastian Demmel Costumes Bernhard Leismüller Scenography Bettina Hummitzsch

13 July, Friday

14 July, Saturday

20:00

11:00

Community Center “Zarya 1895” Stage Guest-performing for the first time in Bulgaria, Lindauer Marionetten Oper – Lindau, Germany W. A. Mozart DIE ZAUBERFLOTE an opera in two acts

Community Center “Zarya 1895”

An Autograph Meeting – KALUDI KALUDOV – 40 years on the stage

Lindauer Marionetten Oper – Lindau, German

Presenter Boyanka Arnaudova

SWAN LAKE a ballet by P.I. Tchaikovsky

15:00

To the choreography

by Marius Petipa Choreographer, Coach Jutta Mähr Puppets Bernhard Leismüller Bernhard Morgenstern Puppet Heads Sebastian Demmel Costumes Bernhard Leismüller Amand Pérez Scenography Bettina Hummitzsch

Lindauer Marionetten Oper – Lindau, German SWAN LAKE a ballet by P.I. Tchaikovsky To the choreography

by Marius Petipa Choreographer, Coach Jutta Mähr Puppets Bernhard Leismüller Bernhard Morgenstern Puppet Heads Sebastian Demmel Costumes Bernhard Leismüller Amand Pérez Scenography Bettina Hummitzsch

21:00

Stage by the Lake 160 years since the birth of Giacomo Puccini TURANDOT an opera by Giacomo Puccini Co-production of the Stara Zagora State Opera and the Stara Zagora State Puppet Theater

21:00

Directors Ognyan Draganov, Darin Petkov Conductor Vladimir Boshnakov Scenography and Costumes Catalin Ionescu-Arbore (Rumania), Vasil Rokomanov and Silva Bachvarova Lighting Design Vasko Lisicov (Macedonia) Plasticity Hsieh Fu-Chien (Taiwan) Choirmaster Mladen Stanev Soloists Dragana Radakovic (Serbia), Dario Di Vietri (Italy), Zvetelina Vassileva, Yulian Konstantinov, Teodor Petkov, Georgi Dinev, Ivaylo Yovchev and others With the participation of Children and Adolescents’ Studio for Opera and Ballet “Margaritki” Actors from the Stara Zagora State Puppet Theater: Bilyana Raynova, Denitsa Yanakieva, Dilyana Spasova, Elitsa Stoyanova, Latina Berovska, Tanya Georgieva, Tatyana Andreeva, Kaloyan Georgiev, Kiril Antonov, Lyuben Chanev, Stanislav Matev, Tsveti Penyashki, Yancho Ivanov Proto-Bulgarian Survival School “Baga-Tur” Soloists, Orchestra and Choir of the Stara Zagora State Opera

Lake Stage 200 years since the birth of Charles Gounod PREMIERE WALPURGIS NIGHT a music-dance-and-theater spectacle Director Boyan Kracholov Choreography Filip Milanov Costume Designer Salvatore Russo (Italy) Soloists Ivaylo Mihaylov, Evgeniya Ralcheva, Ivaylo Dzhurov Actors Dimitar Krumov, Ivan Nikolov, Nadya Keranova Orchestra, Choir and Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera

23:00

Piano Bar, Riu Pravets Resort Hotel IN MEMORY OF THE BULGARIAN MUSIC GENIUS PANCHO VLADIGEROV – COMPOSER, MUSICIAN, CONDUCTOR, PEDAGOGUE AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST TO BE LEONARD BERNSTEIN – 100 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF THE EMINENT AMERICAN CONDUCTOR, COMPOSER AND PIANIST 120 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF GEORGE GERSHWIN With the participation of Teodora Kasmetska-Sorokov violin Ruzha Semova piano Aleksandar Vladigerov trumpet Konstantin Vladigerov piano and clarinet

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15:00

“Pravets” Hall – Riu Pravets Resort Hotel

Community Center “Zarya 1895”

Director and Dramaturg Ralf Hechelmann Puppets Bernhard Leismüller Puppet Heads Sebastian Demmel Costumes Bernhard Leismüller Scenography Bettina Hummitzsch

15 July, Sunday

21:00

Lake Stage PAGLIACCI an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo Conductor Ivaylo Krinchev Director Ognyan Draganov Scenography and Costumes Catalin Ionescu-Arbore (Rumania) Choirmaster Mladen Stanev Kaludi Kaludov - in the role of Canio Soloists Anna Dytry, Niko Isakov, Teodor Petkov, Ivaylo Yovchev With the special participation of artists from the troupe of Academic Circus “Balkanski” Soloists, Choir, Orchestra of the Stara Zagora State Opera

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June 2018

By Anya Ciecierski

Sofia Survival Tips for Newcomers: Parking Parking in the city center of Sofia is divided into BLUE or GREEN zones. In both zones there are 3 ways to pay the parking fee: 1) Send text message (SMS) to #1302 (Blue Zone) or #1303 (Green Zone) with just your license plate number. Note: You must have a Bulgarian phone with a local GSM operator so money can be deducted. You will receive a text to confirm the time when your parking expires and a reminder text when it is time to pay again or move your car.

2) Find a parking attendant, usually wearing a bright yellow vest, patrolling the area.

3) Display a pre-paid parking voucher called a “talon za parkirane” that can be purchased in advance from some shops or metro stations.

Tip: Buy some of these for guests who rent a car and want to park in the center as they likely don’t have BG phones.

BLUE ZONE

GREEN ZONE

SMS

#1302

#1303

Price

2 lv per hour up to 2 hours

1 lv per hour up to 4 hours

In Effect

Weekdays from 08.30 to 19.30 Saturday 08.30 to 18.00 Free on Sunday and national holidays

Weekdays from 08.30 to 19.30 Free on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays

You can see a map of the blue and green zones at: https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/media/uploads/parking/parking_ zones_blue_green.pdf There are also parking garages around the city center, charging between 2 and 3 leva per hour. You can find available parking garages at https://bg.parkopedia.com/.

Do you have any newcomer tips to share? Email office@iwc-sofia.org

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Top 5 Finds to Try There is something soothing about being served a special tea in your own pot. Smelling the aroma while you wait for the loose leaves to steep. There are several places in Sofia that specialize in a fancy tea experience with many loose leaf tea varieties to choose from.

Specialty tea and healthy food: 1) Tea House Sofia: ul. Georgi Benkovski 11 in an alley 62 P. Parchevich St (by Arena di Serdika) https://teahousesofia.com 2) Veda House: ul. William Gladston 2 (Center, West of Vitosha Blvd) http://www.vedahouse.bg Specialty tea only: 3) Drekka Coffee & Tea Shop: ul. William Gladston 60 (Center, East of Vitosha Blvd) http://drekka.bg/en/ 4) Tea Shop Sofia: ul. Parchevich 62 at corner of ul. Angel Kanchev (Center, East of Vitosha Blvd) https://teahousesofia.com 5) OCHA Green Tea House: ul. Gurgulyat 20 (by NDK) https://ocha.bg/en Do you have a Top 5 list to share? Email office@iwc-sofia.org

A New Experience: Blow Dry Bar For me, life just feels a little easier when I have great hair. So when I have a special event coming up, or just need a little boost, I go get a professional “blowout” at a salon. I am very happy that I found “AMA Blow Dry Bar by MinkoPetrov” at Paradise Center Mall. A wash and style (blowout) starts at 19lv.

I don’t like my haircut but I don’t know why.

Some women say that finding the right hair stylist is harder than finding the right man! I agree. I can honestly recommend the owner, Minko Petrov, as a great stylist. I told him, “I don’t like my haircut but I don’t know why”. He evaluated my cut and my hair type, told me why I didn’t like it, and then fixed it. He worked in London for many years, is friendly and speaks fluent English.

So why not treat yourself to a professional blowout, or a new style, because every lady deserves to feel beautiful.

AMA Blow Dry Bar by MinkoPetrov Paradise Center Mall (at bottom of escalator by exit to Vitosha Metro Station) 087 964 4088 https://www.facebook.com/AMA-Blow-Dry-Bar-by-MinkoPetrov-126914021358495/ Do you have a Sofia Experience to share?

Email office@iwc-sofia.org

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Cedar Foundation This year we affirmed the long term partnership between the International Women’s Club – Sofia and the Cedar Foundation by granting 9200 lv. as financial support to the worthy cause of the organization.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Cedar Foundation this year which was held on the 30th of April at the Hilton Hotel the IWC was presented with a Certificate of Gratitude.

Myself and Maya Metodieva, our vice-president, accepted the award on behalf of the IWC. The IWC has a long standing commitment to the Cedar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization registered in Bulgaria in 2005 that focuses on de-institutionalization: the process of closing down the big specialized institutions for children and young adults with physical and intellectual difficulty and replacing them with family-type community services.

The Cedar Foundation manages the Family-type homes “Siyanie” in the town of Kyustendil where 24 children and young adults with physical and intellectual difficulty live. They previously lived in an old, dilapidated and isolated institution in the village of Gorna Koznitsa prior to its closure in 2010, carried out with the active participation of the Foundation. The IWC supports financially the care for these children and youngsters.

Cedar also supports the work of a Day care Centre for children with special needs in the town of Kazanlak by providing trainings for the staff, professional exchange programs as well as additional staff, materials and equipment. http://www.cedarfoundation.org/en/

Albena Jones

IWC President

IWC Sofia

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JUNE birthdays Reshmi Shankar – 1st June

Dessislava Sevlievska – 27th June

Lina Valtcheva – 4th June

Irina Dilkova – 30th June

Federica Sette – 26th June

regular activities 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!

Book Club Members read one book a month, and then get together to discuss the book (discussions are in English and are usually very fun and lively). We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from writers of all nationalities.

There is a morning meeting once a month on Friday. For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@ yahoo.com.

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

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.

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 Toi Castelló Reñé by e-mail: iotcas@gmail. com

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! We meet weekly at 10.30 every Tuesday. 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.

Russian Conversation Group 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: neykova-mp@dir.bg or tel. 0889 84 93 54.

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

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.

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.

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JUNE EVENTS Bazaar Team Meeting 06.06.2018 10am

Monthly Lunch 20.06.2018 12:30pm

MCM 12.06.2018 10:30 AM

IWC Security Awareness Families Day 24.06.2018 11:00am

U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, 18 Veliko Tarnovo St.

Happy Bar and Grill South Park, 36 Bogatitsa str.

ARENA DI SERDICA HOTEL, 2 Budapeshta str.

Training provider: PrepYou.Eu Families Day In conjunction with military, medical & security Up to 40 people Special price for IWC members and their families and guests: Adults – 84.99BGN Kids – 64.99 BGN Family group – 279.99 BGN

First Bazaar Stallholder’s Meeting 13.06.2018 at 11am

Inter Expo Center, Tsarigradsko shose” 147, 1784 7-mi 11-ti kilometar, Sofia

Summer BBQ happening 16.06.2018 13.00pm18.00pm Seasons Terrace

Hilton hotel, 1 Bulgaria blvd.

Joint Club Event by IWC, Internations and Rotary Club - Sofia SUMMER FETE – a Saturday lunch-time family event for all ages with music in the garden of the Hilton Hotel

Dominican Cooking Demo at Joanna`s 27 June 10.30am

Akademik Ivan Buresh N9, corner with Ul. Professor Milcho Lalkov. The house opposite DermaVita Clinic. Two blocks behind Vivenda Meat shop on Cherni Vrah Blvd.

MENU: SALAD “SUMMER BREEZE” LETUCE LOLLO BIONDO, TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS, SPRING ONIONS, CAROTS, VINAIGRETTE BBQ SELECTION PORK MEDALION, MEATBALL, CHICKEN STEAK & SAUSAGE WITH VARIETY OF SIDEDISHES / PAPRIKA DIP, CABBAGE & CARROTS SALAD, GRILED CORN ON THE COB, PROVINCIAL VEGETABLES / ICE CREAM STATION

Cost: 25 BGN per person, limit 12 people Deposit 10 leva, please sign up at the Coffee Morning.

Contact: Joanna on 0884 19 24 07 You will enjoy an authentic Dominican dish and will join a fantastic Hat competition.

Hopefully weather will be sunny and hot, and you will wear your summer hats.

So let`s see who will win.

Package price per person: BGN 20.00 per person. The price is inclusive of 20% VAT. The package includes: BBQ selection + one drink (selection of soft drinks, wine, draft beer).

Menu is: MAIN: Moro de Habichuelas Negras: Rice with Black Beans Pollo Asado en Escabeche: Roasted Pickled Chicken SIDE: Tostones o Arepitas de Maiz: Plantain fritters or corn meal fritters SALAD: Cucumber abocado salad DESERT: Sweet Curdled Milk.

DRINKS: Wine, Water, Tea, Coffee

Bulgarian Cooking Demo at Angelina`s 18.06.2018 12.00pm Dragalevtsi, Kino Centar area, 6 Atanas Ishirkov str.

Cost: 25 BGN per person, limit 15 people.

Deposit 10 leva, please sign up at the Coffee Morning.

Contact: Angelina on 0898 598 222

5km run 30.06.2018 09.00am – IWC charity Adults and kids run for the support of blind people

Menu is as follows: Traditional Bulgarian and Balkan mountain food from Bansko region and South Bulgaria 1. Roasted peppers with eggs and white cheese salad 2. Mixed salad 3. Panned Smilyan Beans 4. Chomlek 5. Banitsa with lokum/halkum

Wk

Monday 28

Tuesday 29

4

5

Wednesday 30

South Park

June calendar

Thursday 31

Friday 1

Saturday 2

Sunday 3

6 10am: Bazaar Team

7

8

9

10

13 11am: Bazaar Stalls

14

15

16 1pm: Summer BBQ

17

20 12.30pm: June Lunch

21

22

23

24

27 10.30am: Dominican Cooking

28

22

23

11 24

25

18 12pm: BG Cooking 25

26

12 10.30am: MCM 19

26

11am: Families Day

16

29

30 9am: 5km run

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