IWC Newsletter - July/August 2018 by IWC-Sofia

July-August 2018

of the International Women’s Club-Sofia

Summer Opera July Morning

August Coffee Morning – 7th of August (10.30) Arena di Serdica Hotel

president’s letter

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

Dear IWC ladies, Summer is in its full swing, but for this month of June so is the pouring rain, thunderstorms and lightning, followed by the occasional double rainbow to brighten up the day. However, the wet weather cannot spoil the planned summer celebrations – parties, BBQ’s, get togethers and birthdays. We are continuing to enjoy a constant wave of various amazing cooking demos, month after month by IWC hosts. This month we witnessed a very significant celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II official 92nd birthday, IWC board and members were among the distinguished guests at the celebration. We had a great turn out at the first stall holders meeting at the IEC, presentations about the organization and new bazaar implementations were made by the charity bazaar team. Let’s keep up the good work and continue promoting the spirit of togetherness. Myself and the board are working relentlessly on positive changes for the IWC which we will present to you in due time, but for now let’s all enjoy the summertime, as it is the best time to travel and for most of us at the IWC it’s our chance to visit and re-unite with friends and family. Exploring new places and meeting new people are the best highlights of a summer vacation. The hot summer days are perfect to reduce stress, spending tranquil time with family on the beach, or in the mountains, is the most pleasant way to refill your mind with energy, positive emotions and lasting memories. I wish you all the best for your summer vacations. May all the happiness in the world embrace you, let your fun be unlimited with your loved ones. Bon voyage to all travelers!

Albena Jones IWC President

www.iwc-sofia.org https://www.facebook. com/IWC2017

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.

Balchik Palace and Botanical Garden Balchik Palace The palace and the botanical garden in Balchik form a unique architectural and park complex that is one of the must-see tourist attractions on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The official name of the palace was the Quiet Nest Palace. It was designed by Italian architects and constructed between 1926 and 1937 for the needs of Queen Marie of Romania, while Romania was still in control of the region. The palace complex includes the queen’s villa “Tenha Yuvah (“lonely nest”)”, some more residential villas, an Orthodox chapel, a traditional house and fountains from the Revival period, decorated with fine marble medallions with mythological characters, and many more buildings. As part of the residence in 1926 the Swiss botanist Jules Jani designed and built a park complex. In 1955 the Sofia University created here a botanical garden.

was considered extinct, until a Bulgarian scholar found a living plant during a scientific expedition in China. The garden is world famous for its unique collection of largesized cactuses - a second of this kind in Europe after the one in Monaco. It is open from April to October, spreading on an area of one decare. The collection of 600 specimens of giant succulents, some of which bloom only once in 100 years, is also impressive. Among the most beautiful flowers in the garden are the water lilies and the magnolias, as well as the magnificently arranged collection of annual plants at the entrance.

Balchik Botanical Garden

Especially interesting for the visitors are the chapel “Stella Maris”, the “Alley of wine”, the “Alley of ages”, the “Hanging terraces”, the tomb of Queen Maria, the “Garden of Allah”, the “English courthouse” garden, the “Garden of the cross-shaped water mirror”, the “Palace bridge and the boat garage”, the “Bridge of sighs”, the old mill, the “Silver well” and the numerous archaeological artifacts from antiquity and the Middle Ages. The palace is supplied with water from the springs “Byal Kladenets” and “Chatal chesma”. The villa where once the queen lived houses a museum exhibition, which displays her personal belongings, photographs and documents, as well as a collection of original paintings and icons; antique pottery found during archaeological excavations of Thracian mounds near Balchik and Revival Period weaponry. The hall that once served as the residence’s library is now a gallery. It displays paintings of Bulgarian and foreign artists.

The botanical garden occupies an area of 65 decares. Today it has more than 2 000 plant species from 85 families and over 800 genera. The collection of palm-trees, for example, includes 33 species, some of which more than 50 years old. Here you can see rare and exotic trees such as rubber tree, oriental raisin tree, paper mulberry, red juniper, ancient Ginkgo biloba, evergreen magnolia, etc. Attention attracts the Metasequoia, which

July morning July Morning is a unique Bulgarian festival, celebrated only in Bulgaria on the night before and the day of July 1st of each year. On 30th of June each year people from across Bulgaria and international visitors travel to the Black Sea coast to meet the first sun rays on the first day of July. They gather around fires, play music and wait for the sunrise. There is no mandatory ritual, ceremony or rite for this tradition and it is up to everyone’s personal choice how they spend the night before July 1st. This event first took place sometime in the 1980s on July 1st in Varna, the sea capital. In recent years, the festival is celebrated in Kamen Bryag, Kavarna, Shkorpilovtsi, Irakli, Burgas, Sozopol, Varvara, Ahtopol, Chernomorets, as well as the whole Bulgarian Black Sea coast. At many locations, there are concerts with professional and amateur bands.

rock and pop music of the time. As a country behind the Iron Curtain, Bulgaria did not have a music market similar to the ones in the Western countries and it was not uncommon for albums and tracks by Western artists to become popular years, sometimes decades, after their initial release. This seems to be the case with Uriah Heep’s song “July Morning”, which gave the name to the festival. British rock band Uriah Heep’s 1971 hit “July Morning” was widely popular in Bulgaria in the 1980s and their song remained central to this unique Bulgarian tradition. John Lawton, the lead singer of the band, for many years now takes an active part in the celebrations by performing his legendary song around Bulgaria. His connection to the country became so strong that he even filmed a documentary series about some Bulgarian cities and towns like Sozopol, Burgas, Smolyan, Pamporovo, Varna and Velingrad. In 2012 the Bulgarian movie “July” featured the theme of this so popular in the country tradition. The feast is also gaining an increasing popularity among the foreign visitors in Bulgaria and is becoming a frequently mentioned event in tourist articles and blogs about interesting things to do while visiting Bulgaria in the summer.

July Morning came into existence in the 1980s among young people as a subtle protest against the Communist regime. Even though there are no records of organized protests, there were informal and sporadic marches called ‘happening’ (Хепънинг). Many young people felt attracted to some of the so-called hippie ideals from the 1960s, communicated mainly through

First Bazaar Stallholder’s Meeting / Inter Expo Center / 13 June

The next stallholder’s meeting will include circulation of a packet with details about the bazaar and stallholders will be asked to register their requests for size and design of stall, among other matters. The 2017 fundraising record holders from the Greek stall will lead a discussion of tips for raising charitable sales. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00-11:30 on Wednesday September 26, at the Polish Embassy.

he preparation season for the IWC’s 24th Annual Charity Bazaar started off with a bang on Wednesday June 13 with the First Stallholder’s meeting held at the Inter-Expo Center. 31 potential stallholders from 17 countries attended.

The bazaar is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 from 9:00-19:00. Stallholders were informed about new features such as a second entertainment stage featured in a club-like “Evening at the Bazaar” from 17:00-19:00. Only stall names, stallholder names and contact information were requested at this point; stallholders were urged to start putting together their teams, planning for the bazaar and recruiting sponsors. Role Overall organization Sponsor recruitment

Stallholder coordination and stall layout

PR, coordination with Sofia municipality Entertainment program Volunteer coordination for bazaar week Treasury coordination

The presentation from the meeting is posted on the IWC website/ Annual Charity Bazaar/ Project Info: https://iwc-sofia.org/bazaar-information/ Contact information for the bazaar team is below:

Who Bazaar Co-coordinator Nicole Simmons Sisi Mahboub Bazaar Co-coordinator Diana Michaels-Christopher Gigi Balagot Zarina Benoun Takova Angelina Makreva Gigi Balagot Toi Castello Vessy Azar Anne Bang Elizaveta Petrusheva Nicole Simmons Liliy Kisiova M3 Communications Svetlana Yanakieva Martina Mihaylova Tatyana Milanova-Kasimova Nancy Smith-ACS and team lead Gigi Balagot-AAS Dominique Velociter-AEA IWC Treasurer Desislava Ivanova

E-mail c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com sponsor.iwcbazaar@gmail.com office@iwc-sofia.org stallholder.iwcbazaar@gmail.com

e.Petrusheva@mysextet.com

iwcbazaar.entertainment@gmail.com Volunteers.iwcbazaar@gmail.com treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

June highlights June Coffee Morning - 12 June At the June Coffee Morning we had some interesting guests: first of all, some of our member’s younger kids; baker Maria Tzatcheva from “Provance” bakery in the village of Chavdar, who showcased and distributed a variety of freshly baked products; Mr. Simon Feek, accompanied by our first four-legged guest service dog Lola. Simon presented the layout of the medical and security training day for IWC members and friends.

Summer BBQ Hilton – Joint Club Event to promote the friendship between our clubs, IWC, InterNations and Rotary Club-Sofia – 16 June

Queen’s Birthday – 15 June

Announcements We thank Vessy Azar for her personal donation of 200lv. that were distributed to the battered Lithuanian lady and to the boy whose family suffered from domestic abuse by the father.

Compliments to the British Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Emma Hopkins and the entire staff of the British Embassy in Sofia for hosting such a wonderful reception to celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday. It was our pleasure with IWC treasurer Desislava Ivanova to be among the distinguished guests at this wonderful event. The Queen’s birthday, also known as the Queen’s Official Birthday, is celebrated in many Commonwealth countries around the world. We enjoyed the traditional English food – deliciously prepared fish and chips.

Board meeting at the IWC Office - 21 June

JULY birthdays Dusica Trkulja – 9 July Svetlana Yanakieva – 10 July Toi Castelló Reñé – 18 July Sory Jan – 23 July

Penka Baltova – 24 July Sevdalina Rankova – 25 July Maria Naslednikova – 28 July

AUGUST birthdays Natalia Evtimova-Sotirova – 2 August Mary Douglas – 4 August Fatma Senem Ustun – 4 August Petya Videnov – 6 August Jane Ewing – 6 August Diana Kolarova – 8 August

Didem Ulusoy – 9 August Suad Jundi – 9 August Mary Gullett – 15 August Marianna Maclaren – 20 August Maria Piguleva – 28 August Asya Alexandrova – 28 August

regular activities 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 BULGARIAN! 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.

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!

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Events July MCM 03.07.2018 10.30am

Every summer since 2000, IWC and Tabitha Bulgaria Foundation have organized a BBQ in the social institution in Roman. In the last 17-18 years we have supported renovations in the home, educational and vocational programs, university scholarships, Baba program and a soup kitchen. The BBQ is an opportunity to spend a day with the underprivileged children from the institution and pay them special attention. There will be a group of young volunteers from Holland, who are renovating some rooms in the orphanage and helping the children. We kindly request the participants to bring some cakes, sweets, fruits, soft drinks, quiches, salads, etc. Tabitha Foundation and the Dutch volunteers will provide the BBQ. Bring your children, too! For further details, please contact: Albena Matova on 0888 511 519 (tabitha@dir.bg) or (your name or that of the charity chairperson) at her mobile or by e-mail.

ARENA DI SERDICA Hotel, 2 Budapeshta str.

Monthly Lunch 17.07.2018 12.30pm Bar&Dinner High Park, Simeonovsko shosse, Georgi Rusev str. 2

IWC Charity event 25.07.2018 10.00am Tabitha foundation Visit and BBQ at the Social Centre in the village of Roman Meeting point: at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 10:00 h. Expected time of return: about 16:00 h. Transport: Tabitha’s van (7 seats available) or carpooling; There are 50 children in the orphanage, aged 7-19, some with disabilities at Social institution (Complex for Social Services for children and families) in the town of Roman (125 km NW of Sofia). The Complex includes 2 Centre for accommodation of a family type, one Transitional home for teenagers over 15 years of age and a Day Care for children with disabilities from the community. There is also a Day Care Centre for Senior People from Roman.

Summer Brunch at Angelina`s 30.07.2018 11.30am Dragalevtsi, kino centar area, 6 Atanas Ishirkov str. Up to: 15 people. Contact: Angelina on 0898 598 222 Let’s have fun. Bring a dish and enjoy the summer!

Events August MCM 07.08.2018 10.30am

Syrian cooking demo at Suad`s 27.08.2018 – date/time to be confirmed

ARENA DI SERDICA Hotel, 2 Budapeshta str.

101 Bistrishko shosse str., Bistritsa terrace Cost 25.00 BGN, up to 15 ppl Deposit at MCM

Monthly Lunch 15.08.2018 12.30pm Street Lounge, 100 James Baucher Blvd.

July calendar Wk

Mon 25

Tue 26

Wed 27

Thu 28

August calendar Fri 29

Sat 30

Sun 1

Tue 31

Wed 1

Thu 2

Fri 3

Sat 4

Sun 5

10.30am: MCM

12.30pm: Montly lunch

10.00am: Charity event

Mon 30

11.30am: Summer brunch

Syrian cooking