On 10 July 2019, Ms. Ani Hristova and Mr. Michail Sougarev visited the regular meeting of Rotary Club Nova Zagora.
Mr. Valentin Vasilev, the President of Rotary Club Nova Zagora opened the meeting and gave the guest form Rotary Club Sofia International the floor to present the “Sofia Owls” sitting volleyball project. The members of Rotary Club Nova Zagora were enthusiastic about the idea and will organize a meeting with the local administrations to try and understand if a similar sitting volleyball team could be established in the region.
The meeting continued with internal matters of the host club, after which the fellowship continued with a lot of discussions and exchange of ideas.
Rotary Club Sofia International would like to thank Rotary Club Nova Zagora for the invitation and the hospitality.
On 10 July in Sofia other members of Rotary Club Sofia International met in “Pod lipite” restaurant in Lozenetz, Sofia. Our summer informal meetings are held there every Wednesday at 19:00.
The Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International attended the handover ceremony of Rotary Club Harmanli on 5 and 6 July 2019. The celebration started on Friday evening with a barbecue in the “Rotary Village” located on the shore of Ivaylovgrad dam near the Borislavtsi village. In the morning of 6 July a ceremony for raising the flags of Bulgaria, Rotary International and Rotary Club Harmanli took place.
The Handover ceremony was in the evening in the nearby village – Malki Voden, also on the shore of the lake. The President, Mr. Galin Karagyozov and also friend of Rotary Club Sofia International in an emotional speech thanked his board and presented the chain to the new President – Mr. Milko Milkov.
Ms. Hristova will like to thank all members of Rotary Club Harmanli for the great weekend and Mr. Dimcho Nalbantov and Mrs. Zdravka Nalbantova for their hospitality.
Rotary Club Sofia International participated with 6 players (3 teams) in the first volleyball tournament, organized by the Embassy of Pakistan to Bulgaria. The event was held at the beach-volleyball complex at the courtyard of the University of Mining and Geology in Sofia. The tournament gathered more than 25 participants – Rotarians, diplomats, friends from Embassies and from private companies.
The 3 teams of Rotary Club Sofia international consisted of – Ms. Ani Hristova, Mrs. Dessy Tian, Mrs. Hristina Malchevska, Mr. Enrico Repouz, Mr. Yordan Dukov, and the club’s newest friend Ms. Anelya Maleva. All our players were dressed up in the newly designed jerseys of Sofia Owls, the sitting volleyball team of Rotary Club Sofia International.
After the tournament some of the “dream players” needed a refreshment, thus they visited the informal meeting of the club in “Pod Lipite”. Our dear friend and former member Mr. Ilian Madjarov, now President of Rotary Club Tallinn Global also joined us and explained about their club’s activities in Estonia. He also sent greeting to all members of Rotary Club Sofia International from the members of Rotary Club Tallinn Global.
The celebrations for that very special day in District 2482 – the handover of the District Governor’s chain – started on Friday 28 June, when members of the Rotary Club Veliko Tarnovo showed their warm hospitality and friendly company in “Shtastlivetza” restaurant.
Later on in the Musical and dramatic theater “Konstantin Kisimov” the handover ceremony of District 2482 took place. Mr. Veselin Dimitrov made a quick recap of his year as a District Governor and then handed the jewel to the next Governor – Mr. Mitko Minev. He in his turn thanked for the high honor and responsibility that Rotarians in the country vested upon him. He assured everyone that he would work with all his heart and soul for the prosperity of the largest humanitarian organization.
On behalf of the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, Mr. Daniel Panov, the deputy mayor, Mrs. Snezhana Daneva – Ivanova expressed the recognition of the municipal administration and of the citizens of the old capital for the active and tireless work of Rotary Club Veliko Tarnovo. She congratulated the participants in the ceremony. She presented Mr. Minev with an icon of Jesus Christ to protect him during he service above self and during his year as a District Governor.
All the new Presidents of Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs who were present also exchanged their chains.
The highlight of the weekend was a concert by the orchestra and singers of the “Konstantin Kisimov” theater.
Rotary Club Sofia International was represented by the President 2019/2020, Mr. Plamen Kertev and Past President Ms. Ani Hristova.
The celebrations continued with a dinner, exchanging of presents and flags, accepting new members in Rotary Club Veliko Tarnovo, for the first time in its 80-years history, the the club accepted women. The night continued with awarding distinguished Rotarians, lots of music and good mood. The municipality of Veliko Tarnovo was delighted to take part in the celebration with the “Sound and Light” show. A “quiet” raffle was held during the dinner. The money collected was over 3000 BGN. They will be used for the cause of Rotary Club Veliko Tarnovo “Fruit for a Drop of Blood” – a project for preventive screening of children for diabetes.
The networking continued until the small hours of the day.
The last regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International on 26 June, 2019 was a culinary trip to the Armenian restaurant in Sofia “Egur Egur”. The proper atmosphere in this authentic taste-bud-experience took care for the President’s chain exchange from Mr. Enrico Repouz to our next President, Mr. Plamen Kertev. Mr. Plamen Kertev took the helm in the presence of numerous members and our guests: Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mrs. Irina Repouz, Mrs. Kathrine Rossi, Mr. Borislav Boynov form a Rotary Club in Zimbabwe, Mr. Thomas Metz, Mrs. Regina Simon.
Before giving the floor to the new President Mr. Repouz drew the attention of the present to a few internal topics. Our club has been asked by Rotary Club Sofia Balkan to support their endeavor “Braking the Circle of Poverty for Mothers of Children with Disabilities” by pledging a modest amount of money to the project. The proposal was voted unanimous by all 23 present members. Another announcement was the Beach Volleyball Tournament organized by the Embassy of Pakistan. The tournament will take place on 3 July and the following people will take part: Ms. Ani Hristova, Mr. Yordan Dukov, Mrs. Dessy Tian, Mrs. Hristina Malchevska, Mr. Enrico Repouz all from Rotary Club Sofia International, and a friend of our club Ms. Aneliya Maleva. Jerseys are being branded and Rotary Club Sofia International will use this event to promote Sofia Owls and create awareness for the sitting volleyball as a sport. The last internal item announced was a call for help. A friend is in need. A 32 years old woman named Kamelia has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Kamelia and desperately needs unaffordable for her family amount of money for stem cells transplantation. You can help either by donating money here, or by donating things that can be sold. For further information you can contact our Past President Ms. Ani Hristova.
The meeting continued with the President’s chain exchange ceremony. The Rotarian year came to an end and with it the Presidency of Mr. Enrico Repouz. In his touching speech he acknowledged with gratitude the hard work that has been done during the year and the work of all his predecessors. He thanked all members, who took great part in shaping our club by organizing and following through old and new projects, paying attention that our statues are in order and that we do right. He took the opportunity to personally thank Mr. Thomas Westerhoven, Mr. Jörg Schenk, Mr. Svetozar Shkoutov, Ms. Ani Hristova, Mr. Michail Sougarev, Mr. Rumen Rusinov, Mr. Peter Simon, and Mrs. Snejana Doncheva for their support.
The President 2019/2020 Mr. Plamen Kertev took the floor and wished that during his year the club will continue to progress and be among the top clubs in the District. He then announced that during the summer break informal meetings will take place at Pod Lipite Restaurant every Wednesday at 19:00 and after wishing all a good summer closed the official part for the fellowship to continue.
On 19 June 2019 Rotary Club Sofia International officially endorsed Mrs. Svetla Todorova as a candidate for Rotary Peace Fellowship scholarship. She was met with “friendly fire” by the Rotary Peace Fellowship (RPF) Committee to check on her aptitude for the program. The interview lasted one and a half hours, during which Svetla had to answer many questions, and to describe her vision for the work ahead, in case of successful completion of her education and upon her return to Bulgaria.
The committee consisting of: Prof. Dr. Ilse Pejeva, Bulgarian Academy of Science (BAS) Chair of Humboldt Association; Prof. Dr. Tanya Kazangieva, BAS; Prof. Dr. Snejana Doncheva, BAS, Chair of Committee of RPF; Mrs. Viliona Kostova, Charir of Rotary Foundation, D-2482; Mr. Veselin Dimitrov, District Governor 2018/2019 of D-2482; Mr. Mitko Minev, District Governor 2019/2020 of D-2482; Mr. Jörg Schenk, Chair of Membership Committee of Rotary Club Sofia International and Past President; Ms. Ani Hristova, Chair of Subcommittee Donation and Recognitions of D-2482 Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International; Mr. Enrico Repouz President 2018/2019 Rotary Club Sofia International.
Later that day our regular weekly meeting was held at the cozy Persian restaurant “Ashurbanipal” located in the center of Sofia. Excellent food from the Middle East contributed for the good atmosphere and gathered 21 members and 8 guests. Master cook and owner and has more than 30 years master-chef experience in high end restaurants in Embassies.
In order to be able to enjoy the food, the official part was limited to presenting the new jersey of the “Sofia Owls” sitting volleyball team, modeled by our friend Mr. Yordan Dukov.
On 12 June 2019 Rotary Club Sofia International met in usual atmosphere at our home base Hilton Sofia. We welcomed 6 guests – Mr. Brandur Haukson, Ms. Angelika Radeva, Mr. Atanas Andreev, Mr. Anthony Ivagnes, Mr. Richie Tian (12 years old.) and Ms. Anna Staykova (9 years old).
The meeting started with announcements on internal topics. As a first subject our President Mr. Repouz shared that our candidate for Rotary Peace Fellowship is entering the second round of approval .
Mrs. Inna and Mr. Claude Badan are back from their long trip overseas and
elsewhere in Europe. Claude gave as brief account on their tête-à-tête involvement with their home Rotary Club in Ferney-Voltaire along with resume of the town history. Insight form their experience is that when collecting money for a good cause through selling items, before hand pricing of items could be counterproductive. Best is to let the buyer determine the value of money she is willing to pay for any given item. As a Rotary Club Ferney-Voltaire doubled their sales results.
The donation project for medical equipment from Austrian hospitals is proceeding. Logistics issues and the payment of transportation fees need to be solved. Rotary Club Sofia International has already received a donation to partially cover some of the cost. Total transportation cost will be announced soon. Since the project will continue for many months ahead Rotary Club Sofia International is looking for donations to cover the associated cost.
The meeting ended up with a request for help with contacts from Mr. Evgeni Grigorov from Rotary Club Sofia Balkan. They presented their club’s latest project in collaboration with “Ole Male/ Mama Mia” – “Braking the Circle of Poverty for Mothers of Children with Disabilities”. Rotary Club Sofia Balkan are looking for support from clubs in foreign districts, who are willing to pledge little cash amounts for the cause.
After the meeting the fellowship continued in the lobby bar of the hotel.
After the interesting and new places, that we visited and meet, Rotary Club Sofia International had his regular meeting on 5 June 2019 at Hilton Sofia. We welcome numerous guests: Ms. Miglena Micheva, Mr. Evgeni Grigorov, President of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan, Ms. Angelika Radeva, Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mr. Dragomir Draganov, Mr. Nikolai Pangarov, Mr. Thomas Metz, Mr. Anthony Ivagnes, Mr. William Gunter from Rotary Club Santa Sara CA, USA, Mr. Vianney N’goran, Past President of Rotaract Club Daloa in Ivory Coast District 9101.
Mr. Promberger made truly entertaining and informative presentation on “Alcohol and Stimulants”. He took us on a journey through time, crossing more than 12,000 years. Al cohl is Arabic and means “taste full”. Alcohol and its abuse are major social problem and world wild alcoholism is considered a disease.
Mr. Repouz explained about the visits of the Sofia Owls’ Ambassadors in a number of Sofia Rotary Clubs, where they promoted our sitting volleyball team. Soon the Ambassadors are starting visiting clubs in the country. Every member of Rotary Club Sofia International can become a Sofia Owls Ambassador by dispersing the brochures and promoting the initiative at suitable events. The new logo of Sofia Owls is designed by the renowned artist Stanislav Trifonov “Nasimo”. Nasimo is best known for his graffiti and highly recognized amongst international peers.
Mr. Evgeni Grigorov, President of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan was later given the opportunity to inform the present on the Global Grant project they are preparing in collaboration with “Ole Male/ Mama Mia”: “Braking the Circle of Poverty for Mothers of Children with Disablities”
After the meeting the fellowship continued in the lobby bar of the hotel.
On 4 June 2019, Ms. Ani Hristova, Ms. Dessy Tian and Mr. Enrico Repouz from Rotary Club Sofia International visited the regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan in Rosslyn Central Park Hotel, Sofia.
Mr. Evgeni Grigorov, the President of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan opened the meeting and gave the floor the President and the Secretary of their Interact Club Balkan in Sofia High School of Mathematics. Then Mr. Grigorov continued with internal announcements. After that e briefly updated all the present on the status of the Global Grant Project the club is trying to organize together with Ole Male Foundation.
The evening continued with the President of Rotary Club Sofia International sharing news about our “Sofia Owls” sitting volleyball team. The members of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan were excited to hear that 15 years after they started the first basketball team for people in wheelchairs, our club is undertaking the establishment of a volleyball team for athletes with disabilities. The members of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan shared many valuable lessons learnt form their experience over the last 15 years.
After Mr. Grigorov presented Interact Club Balkan in Sofia High School of Mathematics with a new banner he closed the official part and the fellowship continued. Ротари клуб София.
On 27 May 2019 Rotary Club Sofia International and Rotary Club Sofia Triaditsa held a joint meeting in Marinela hotel in Sofia. After the official opening of the evening, Ms. Boyana Bankova, the President of Rotary Club Sofia Triaditsa, updated the present with the latest status of their projects – The Academy for Talented Children, for scholarships for talented kids, realized together with Lions Club Pleven, Lions Club Sofia Capital and with the Association for Child Support; Prevention of Ambiliopia in Lozenetz Hospital – a free eye screening for kids with Refractometer, an apparatus purchased by the club.
Later on, Ms. Bankova gave the floor to Mr. Luybomir Stanislavov, who updated us for the project of the Community Center in Fakulteta neighborhood (together with Rotary Club Sofia-Serdika).
The highlight was the acceptance of new a member of Rotary Club Sofia Triaditsa – Ms. Anna Chanova.
“Rotary has magic and part of it is hidden in the ability to find friends at any point in the world, another part is hidden in the ability to touch the knowledge and experience of these friends” said Ms. Bankova and invited their guest – Mr. Christian Noll to share his thoughts and experiences.
Mr. Noll is from Rotary Club Prague International, a club comprised mainly of expats. Rotary Club Prague International operates internationally in joint venture with other Rotary Club in India, catering food for the poor people and engages very actively in Rotary International and Rotary Foundation projects. The public relations are very important to Rotary Club Prague International and the club makes sure they publicize all their activities to as many people as possible. Christian also stressed the importance of having members of the club participate in the District.
Later on Ms. Bankova gave the floor to Mr. Repouz, who explained about our project “Sofia Owls” – a sitting volleyball club for athletes with disabilities. Mr. Repouz rounded up his expose with an account of the joint project of Rotary Club Sofia International with Rotary Club Korneuburg and Rotary Club Klosterneuburg for donation of medical equipment to three hospitals in Bulgaria.
We also hosted as guest Mr. Steve Hoa, General Manager of the Chinese Cultural Institute in Sofia, who was invited by Rotary Club Sofia International’s member Ms. Dessy Tian. Dessy will be an advisor to Mr. Hoa.
The fellowship continued with lively discussions and networking in a nearby bar.
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On 10 July 2019, Ms. Ani Hristova and Mr. Michail Sougarev visited the regular meeting of Rotary Club Nova Zagora.
The Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International attended the handover ceremony of Rotary Club Harmanli on 5 and 6 July 2019. The celebration started on Friday evening with a barbecue in the “Rotary Village” located on the shore of Ivaylovgrad dam near the Borislavtsi village. In the morning of 6 July a ceremony for raising the flags of Bulgaria, Rotary International and Rotary Club Harmanli took place.
Rotary Club Sofia International participated with 6 players (3 teams) in the first volleyball tournament, organized by the Embassy of Pakistan to Bulgaria. The event was held at the beach-volleyball complex at the courtyard of the University of Mining and Geology in Sofia. The tournament gathered more than 25 participants – Rotarians, diplomats, friends from Embassies and from private companies.
The celebrations for that very special day in District 2482 – the handover of the District Governor’s chain – started on Friday 28 June, when members of the Rotary Club Veliko Tarnovo showed their warm hospitality and friendly company in “Shtastlivetza” restaurant.
The last regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International on 26 June, 2019 was a culinary trip to the Armenian restaurant in Sofia “Egur Egur”. The proper atmosphere in this authentic taste-bud-experience took care for the President’s chain exchange from Mr. Enrico Repouz to our next President, Mr. Plamen Kertev. Mr. Plamen Kertev took the helm in the presence of numerous members and our guests: Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mrs. Irina Repouz, Mrs. Kathrine Rossi, Mr. Borislav Boynov form a Rotary Club in Zimbabwe, Mr. Thomas Metz, Mrs. Regina Simon.
On 19 June 2019 Rotary Club Sofia International officially endorsed Mrs. Svetla Todorova as a candidate for Rotary Peace Fellowship scholarship. She was met with “friendly fire” by the Rotary Peace Fellowship (RPF) Committee to check on her aptitude for the program. The interview lasted one and a half hours, during which Svetla had to answer many questions, and to describe her vision for the work ahead, in case of successful completion of her education and upon her return to Bulgaria.
On 12 June 2019 Rotary Club Sofia International met in usual atmosphere at our home base Hilton Sofia. We welcomed 6 guests – Mr. Brandur Haukson, Ms. Angelika Radeva, Mr. Atanas Andreev, Mr. Anthony Ivagnes, Mr. Richie Tian (12 years old.) and Ms. Anna Staykova (9 years old).
After the interesting and new places, that we visited and meet, Rotary Club Sofia International had his regular meeting on 5 June 2019 at Hilton Sofia. We welcome numerous guests: Ms. Miglena Micheva, Mr. Evgeni Grigorov, President of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan, Ms. Angelika Radeva, Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mr. Dragomir Draganov, Mr. Nikolai Pangarov, Mr. Thomas Metz, Mr. Anthony Ivagnes, Mr. William Gunter from Rotary Club Santa Sara CA, USA, Mr. Vianney N’goran, Past President of Rotaract Club Daloa in Ivory Coast District 9101.
On 4 June 2019, Ms. Ani Hristova, Ms. Dessy Tian and Mr. Enrico Repouz from Rotary Club Sofia International visited the regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia Balkan in Rosslyn Central Park Hotel, Sofia.
On 27 May 2019 Rotary Club Sofia International and Rotary Club Sofia Triaditsa held a joint meeting in Marinela hotel in Sofia. After the official opening of the evening, Ms. Boyana Bankova, the President of Rotary Club Sofia Triaditsa, updated the present with the latest status of their projects – The Academy for Talented Children, for scholarships for talented kids, realized together with Lions Club Pleven, Lions Club Sofia Capital and with the Association for Child Support; Prevention of Ambiliopia in Lozenetz Hospital – a free eye screening for kids with Refractometer, an apparatus purchased by the club.
