Our meeting on 17 April 2019 did not sweep without news on our permanent topic – the sitting Volleyball club – “Sofia Owls”. Mr. Repouz circulated a leaflet with info on sitting Volleyball. The draft-brochure and the request for further commends and idea of improvement is still on and members were requested to respond and say what we do and what we don’t like. The training facility is found. Location Universiada Hall, downtown Sofia, same location as Volleyball team of VC Levski Sofia. Room is 250 m2 in size and has 6 m height ceilings. “Sofia Owls” has received a special price for training sessions. The management of Universiada Hall is behind our cause and will facilitate any help in the future incl. organization of bigger events.
The organization on Oktoberfest is still in progress. Our member Mrs. Malchevska has some leads at the Sofia Municipality. Volunteers are needed during summer period to help Hilton to organize the event which a planned for the first half of October 2019.
The meeting ended up with a presentation by our president Mr. Enrico Repouz on unique Bulgarian products, facts & trivia. Products presented: Chushkopek, Tesla, Gumshoes, Beekeepers tool, Samardela, The Bulgarian Bag, Cyrillic Alphabet, Bezir, Martenica, Troyan Pottery, Rose Oil. The presentation was very interesting not only for our foreign members, but also for our Bulgarian members.
Sometimes we need darkness to see the light. On 10 April 2019 our regular meeting was held in the theme Restaurant – “Tenebris” on 65 “Han Asparuh” Str., Sofia, where we all had dinner in the dark.
All club members and our guests: Mr. Atanas Andreev, Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mrs. Vessela Schenk, Mrs. Irina Repouz, were immersed in a world of dark, where vision is not present and other senses are let to take over. In an environment of pitch black darkness when the main sensatory channel – sight is no longer a source of perception you let your other senses take predominance. Our understandings for food, taste, aroma and texture were redefined, while we experienced an unforgettable culinary journey.
Another essential part of the “dine in the dark” experience was the human interaction. We had the chance to understand the word “timeless” and to get known ourselves and our company in a disparate way. We are thankful to the staff with impaired vision for introducing us to their dark-bright world full of sense, touch, emotion, sound and flavor. It was a nice experience for a better understanding of people with impaired vison and yourself.
The regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International on 3 April 2019 in Hilton Sofia was marked by the vivid and colorful presentation about Cognac by our dear firend and member Mr. Marc Bouzy. All present had the pleasure to listen to the rich in content lesson, while slowly sipping cognac and savoring the flavors.
Our guests were Mr. Atanas Andreev, Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mr. Christoph Glaser, and Mr. Thomas Metz.
The big mystery of Cognac was unveiled and lessons were learned:
1st: “Never get high on your own supply”. Cognac is chiefly an export spirit. 98.8% of all “tasteless” white wine spirit produced in the region and city of Cognac is for export.
2nd: French drink Armagnac (most of it stays within the country).
3rd: The theory of evaporation is wrong. Angels decent from heaven to steal Cognac while it is stored in oak barrels.
4th: Cognac is a mix of at least 3 differently aged bad white-wine distillates.
5th: The most popular distilleries are of British decent.
Thank you Marc for your very interesting presentation, we all loved it.
Further focus was set on the organizational issues for our traditional Whiskey Night Event which will be held on 30 May 2019.
We are also planning an Octoberfest, which will take place in the first week of October. Hilton Sofia has confirmed interest to do this event and is reassuring the team set up with our club. The locations of both events are still to be confirmed.
After the meeting the fellowship, as usual, continued in the lobby bar of the hotel.
On 28 March 2019 the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion (FSCI) celebrated its 10th anniverssary of Social Innovation. The cockatil was attended by numerous friends and partners of the organisation, amongst them Mr. Michail Sougarev from Rotary Club Sofia International. During his term as a President of the club he had the oportunity to realize together with the foundation a Global Grant for the establishment of a social enterprise – “HOPe Restaurant“.
The evening started with short presentation by the foundations’ staff on the achievements during the last 10 years. These include:
7 houses of opportunity in 6 different cities in the country, where 166 youths leaving the social establishments at the age of 18 have found care and support on their way to independence;
3 social enterprises – “HOPe Restaurant“, soap workshop “HOPe SOAP”, and a car wash “Izgrev”;
Yearly Christmas camaign tahns to which 80,000 presents have reached to children and elderly people from social institutions and to people from marginalized communities or extreme poverty;
Traditional summer and winter sports camps for disadvantaged children and youths from social institutions;
Social center for young people at risk of poverty;
The evening continued wirh congratulations from the parners of the foundation, followed by a coktail where the guests had the chance to sample the food prepared by “HOPe Restaurant“. You can visit the restaurant at 99, “Knyaz Boris I” Str. in Sofia center.
Our Club’s meeting on 27 March started with the official ceremony of a new member acceptance – Mrs. Dessy Tian, who was our regular guest in the past few months. She was welcomed with a speech by our President – Mr. Enrico Repouz – followed by the pin ceremony by her sponsors Ms. Ani Hristova and Mr. Rumen Rusinov and her thoughts on becoming a Rotarian. Dessy is a medical doctor in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has her practice in Sofia. Congratulations Dessy, we are very proud to have you among us.
The acceptance was witnessed by our guest Mr. Petrun Vardarov from Rotary Club Samokov. He presented himself and his club, as well as, their activities and projects. Mr. Vardarov, you are always welcome to be our guest.
Our President, Mr. Enrico Repouz, informed us about a wonderful private initiative and a great example of internalized charity. Our dear friend Mr. Wolf Harlfinger and his wife Mrs. Juliane Harlfinger have been collecting clothes form friends in Germany and on Monday 25 March they both delivered in excess of 18 large boxes to the children’s home in the city of Roman (“National Fund St. Nicola” Foundation – Children with mental impairment).
Further the meeting followed with update on the progress of the establishment of our sitting volleyball club – “Sofia Owls”. On 8 May we will welcome Rotary Club Sofia Balkan for presentation on how they started their basketball club for handicapped athletes. We hope to receive an insight of best practices from our friends and to apply these to our project.
One more important announcement concerning HOPe Restaurant, a social enterprise started with with a Global Grant by our club and the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion, has changed its location. The new address is 99, “Knyaz Boris I” Str. in Sofia. You are all invited to visit them and sample the food prepared by youngsters living in protected homes in Sofia.
The meeting cotinued with a presentation by Mr. Jörg Schenk on India and on Field Hockey. An impressive, non-suppressive, immersive, non-subversive, and sportive impressions of India with a heavy dose of field-hockey, powerful and comprised. The audience loved the insights of field hockey. Just a remember, our member, Mr. Jörg Schenk is the new Chairman of the Bulgarian Field Hockey Association.
After the meeting the fellowship continued in the lobby bar of the hotel.
The Presidents Elect Training Seminar (PETS) 2019 of Rotary Bulgaria, District 2482, took place in Bansko on 23 March 2019. Alongside the Presidents Elect training, a module for the secretaries was also held, as well as the Rotary Foundation module.
Four people from the club – Ms. Hristova, Mrs. Malchevska, Mr. Sougarev, Mr. Kertev, the President Elect attended the event.
The fellowship started on Friday evening with the friends from Rotary Club Harmanli and Rotary Club Samokov. On Saturday morning the seminar was opened in Regnum Hotel, Bansko with the traditional bell and the anthems of Bulgaria and of Rotary Bulgaria. The District Governor Mr. Veselin Dimitrov opened the Seminar. Mrs. Ayshe Medarova, President of Rotary Club Bansko-Razlog and Mr. Krasimir Gerchev the mayor of Razlog Municipality also welcomed the participants.
The District Governor Elect – Mr. Mitko Minev was next and started by introducing the 2019-2020 Rotary International President – Mr. Mark Daniel Maloney. He continued with the presentation of the Presidential Theme – “Rotary Connects the World”. Mr. Minev continued with introduction of his team – the District Officers of D-2482. We are proud with our member and Past President Ms. Ani Hristova, who is nominated as the Chair of the Subcommittee for Donations and Recognitions.
After the lunch break the participants were split into 3 groups – Presidents, Attended by our President Elect Mr. Kertev; Secretaries with the participation of Mrs. Malchevska; Rotary Foundation Committee Members, with Ms. Hristova as participant and presenter as a chair of a subcommittee. Each module focused around the tasks during the term of each group.
In the evening 290 guests enjoyed a wonderfully organization dinner reception for the 15th Birthday of Rotary Club Bansko-Razlog. The host of the evening was Mr. Yordan Aleksiev who catered for the good mood of the guests. The program also included performances of local folklore group and local comedians, followed by a charity auction and raffle. The evening concluded with dancing till the early hours of Sunday.
On 20 March 2019, at our regular meeting, the main focus was set on the results from the Wine It! – 2019 fundraising event and the experience we and our dear guests gained from it. Our President proudly announced the outcome from the happening in the presence of our guests Mr. Károly János Szücs from Rotary Club Dunaharaszti, Hungary, Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mr. Thomas Metz, Mr. Atanas Andreev, and Mr. Dimitar Dimitrov. Also on the day of the fundraising event – 14 March 2019 our sitting volleyball club got officially registered. Thanks to our member Mr. Svetozar Shkoutov who was engaged with the legal work of the registration.
All present agreed that Wine It! – 2019 event was successful, very well organized, and all present enjoyed the party until late hours. After drawing up the balance sheet, we had a total of more than 150 participants, 16 wineries, 15 additional sponsors, a DJ, more than enough finger food, a goulash cook-off between our members Mr. Peter Simon and Mr. Enrico Repouz. Kudos were for Peter, who become the goulash chief out of this competition. The duration of the event was about 3.5 hours.
Along with the fun, the nice atmosphere with friends, the music and dances, the goal was fulfilled. The final earnings from Wine It! – 2019 event which will go forward for our sitting volleyball team “Sofia Owls” are BGN 5,407.28.
Before the regular meeting, the board of “Sofia Owls” met for the first time to kick off the work and procedures. The club logo is nearly finished, organizational chart created, coaches are on stand-by, several options on training facilities are available, PR will start soon.
The official inauguration of “Sofia Owls” will be with a tree planting ceremony. The tree will be planted on the grounds of Hilton Hotel and will include a memorial plaque.
After the meeting the fellowship continued in the lobby bar of the hotel.
The traditional wine tasting fundraising event of Rotary Club Sofia International – Wine It! – 2019 – took place on 14 March, 2019 in Creative Hall Studio in Sofia. The funds collected at this year’s event are aimed for the establishment an further support of a sitting volleyball club for people with physical handicaps. We named this new club “Sofia Owls” to be linked to the mascot and logo of our club – the owl.
The venue hosted more than 150 people who had the pleasure to sample wines showcased by 16 different wineries and had the chance to bid for items or win presents at the raffle generously donated by the 16 additional sponsors of the evening.
The President of the club Mr. Enrico Repouz welcomed the guests shortly after 19 o’clock and presented the “oVo” sculpture – donation by Markov Studio, which is especially designed for the inauguration of the “Sofia Owls” suiting volleyball team. The sculpture was offered to the highest bidder in a silent auction and was sold to an anonymous buyer.
After that the guests had the chance to try the products of the wineries, have a bite form the never ending finger food, be the jury of a goulash cook off between our President Mr. Enrico Repouz and our member Mr. Peter Simon, network, dance, have fun.
The party was shortly interrupted by the charity auction with items generously provided by our sponsors, and by the charity raffle – presents for which were also courtesy of our sponsors.
The earnings from Wine It! – 2019 collected from tickets, raffle, auction, donations, sale of the “oVo” sculpture, which will go forward for our sitting volleyball team “Sofia Owls” are BGN 5,407.28.
This achievement would not have been possible without the numerous hours spent by the organizers of this event, the generous sponsors, and the numerous guests and friends who attended the event. Thank you all!
The “Fairy Tale Spring in Harmanli” event took place on 9 March in “Prikazkite” restaurant and was attended by our Past President, Ms. Hristova. Its purpose was to raise funds for the local school project “The School – an Attractive Center for Our Children”, which will constitute of construction of a multi-functional playground in the yard of “Ivan Vazov” primary school in Harmanli for volleyball, basketball, football, hockey and mini athletics tracks.
The charity evening was attended by 162 guests from Harmanli and other cities in the country. The long-time Deputy Director of the school Mr. Nikola Zaichev was also e guest of the evening and donated 1,000 BGN. Rotary Club Momchilgrad and the Rotary Club Nova Zagora also donated 1,000 BGN each. Among the big donors are also “The Business of Harmanli” with 2,000 BGN and Harmanli Municipality with 5,000 BGN. The women from Inner Wheel Club Harmanli supported the initiative by donating 500 BGN.
The kids from the school entertained the guests with musical program, where the youngest singer, was 3 years old. They also made six 3D “martenica”, which were bought for a total sum of 920 BGN at the auction. Rotary club Harmanli, gathered nearly 9,000 BGN on that event.
The sum collected will be added to the value of Global Grant project for 118,000 EUR. The repair of the playground is expected to begin next year.
Our Past President Ms. Hristova was a guest of the event. She would like to express her gratitude to the thanks to the hosts, especially to the President of Rotary Club Harmanli, Mr. Galin Karagyozov, and to Mr. Dimcho Nalbantov, Past President of the club.
Our member Mr. Rumen Rusinov had the pleasure to take part at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Rotary Club Sofia Vitosha. He joined the party on 9 March 2019, together with his family and friends from Rotary Club Korneuburg – Mr. Werner Kilian and his wife Mrs. Ralitza Kilian.
The Gala-dinner took part at hotel Marinela Sofia, where the club has its regular meetings. All guests were welcomed by the president of the club Mr. Asparuh Karastoyanov. During the official part some friends received their pin for being a Paul Harris fellow.
The audience was entertained by famous Bulgarian singers and actors. The atmosphere was fantastic and the party continued until the late morning hours.
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Our meeting on 17 April 2019 did not sweep without news on our permanent topic – the sitting Volleyball club – “Sofia Owls”. Mr. Repouz circulated a leaflet with info on sitting Volleyball. The draft-brochure and the request for further commends and idea of improvement is still on and members were requested to respond and say what we do and what we don’t like. The training facility is found. Location Universiada Hall, downtown Sofia, same location as Volleyball team of VC Levski Sofia. Room is 250 m2 in size and has 6 m height ceilings. “Sofia Owls” has received a special price for training sessions. The management of Universiada Hall is behind our cause and will facilitate any help in the future incl. organization of bigger events.
Sometimes we need darkness to see the light. On 10 April 2019 our regular meeting was held in the theme Restaurant – “Tenebris” on 65 “Han Asparuh” Str., Sofia, where we all had dinner in the dark.
The regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International on 3 April 2019 in Hilton Sofia was marked by the vivid and colorful presentation about Cognac by our dear firend and member Mr. Marc Bouzy. All present had the pleasure to listen to the rich in content lesson, while slowly sipping cognac and savoring the flavors.
On 28 March 2019 the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion (FSCI) celebrated its 10th anniverssary of Social Innovation. The cockatil was attended by numerous friends and partners of the organisation, amongst them Mr. Michail Sougarev from Rotary Club Sofia International. During his term as a President of the club he had the oportunity to realize together with the foundation a Global Grant for the establishment of a social enterprise – “
Our Club’s meeting on 27 March started with the official ceremony of a new member acceptance – Mrs. Dessy Tian, who was our regular guest in the past few months. She was welcomed with a speech by our President – Mr. Enrico Repouz – followed by the pin ceremony by her sponsors Ms. Ani Hristova and Mr. Rumen Rusinov and her thoughts on becoming a Rotarian. Dessy is a medical doctor in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has her practice in Sofia. Congratulations Dessy, we are very proud to have you among us.
The Presidents Elect Training Seminar (PETS) 2019 of Rotary Bulgaria, District 2482, took place in Bansko on 23 March 2019. Alongside the Presidents Elect training, a module for the secretaries was also held, as well as the Rotary Foundation module.
On 20 March 2019, at our regular meeting, the main focus was set on the results from the 
The traditional wine tasting fundraising event of Rotary Club Sofia International – 
The “Fairy Tale Spring in Harmanli” event took place on 9 March in “Prikazkite” restaurant and was attended by our Past President, Ms. Hristova. Its purpose was to raise funds for the local school project “The School – an Attractive Center for Our Children”, which will constitute of construction of a multi-functional playground in the yard of “Ivan Vazov” primary school in Harmanli for volleyball, basketball, football, hockey and mini athletics tracks.
Our member Mr. Rumen Rusinov had the pleasure to take part at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Rotary Club Sofia Vitosha. He joined the party on 9 March 2019, together with his family and friends from Rotary Club Korneuburg – Mr. Werner Kilian and his wife Mrs. Ralitza Kilian.
