February 25th, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 25 February 2026, members of Rotary Club Sofia International gathered for an informal fellowship evening, kindly hosted by our Club Secretary, Mr. Domagoj Stefan, at the premises of the Croatian-Bulgarian Cultural Association.
The gathering brought together our club members, members of Interact Club Sofia International, as well as several guests. It was a great opportunity to spend time together outside our regular meeting setting, strengthen friendships, and welcome new faces into our Rotary family.
After an informal discussion about club matters, ongoing projects, and future initiatives, we continued the evening with a delicious catered dinner and a selection of interesting and entertaining board games.
It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening filled with good conversation, laughter, and fellowship – a great reminder that the Rotary experience is not only about service, but also about the friendships and connections we build along the way.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening special, in true Rotary spirit.
For more information, contact us at info@rc-si.org.
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February 21st, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 21 February 2026, the beautiful city of Haskovo hosted the Rotary District 2482 District Team Training for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
This event marked the first official gathering of the District Team for the new Rotary year and provided an excellent opportunity for team members to meet in person, align their vision and way of working, and begin the year with confidence, inspiration, and a shared commitment to service. The goal is not only to fulfill leadership roles but also to build trust, support the clubs, and leave a lasting impact across the District.
We are especially proud to share that Mrs. Hristina Malchevska, a member of our club, will serve as Assistant District Governor for Zone 1. This important leadership position reflects her dedication, experience, and commitment to Rotary values, and we are confident that she will make a significant contribution to the success of District 2482.
We are equally proud that our Vice President, Mrs. Ani Hristova, has been appointed for a third consecutive year as Chair of the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Her continued leadership demonstrates her passion for fostering international friendships, promoting cultural exchange, and strengthening connections among Rotarians around the world. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Hristina and Ani, and wish them every success in their new Rotary responsibilities.
Mrs. Hristova attended the training in Haskovo together with Mrs. Iliana Vakavchieva, the most active member of the Rotary Friendship Exchange team and one of Mrs. Hristova’s closest collaborators in coordinating the program. We are also delighted to share that District Governor Mr. Plamen Tsvetkov personally congratulated Ani and Iliana and encouraged them and the wider Rotary Friendship Exchange team, recognizing their dedication and outstanding work.
Congratulations to both – we are proud to have you as part of the Rotary Club Sofia International family, and this achievement reflects the very best of the Rotary spirit.
Pictures: Personal archive and Rotary Bulgaria
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February 18th, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 18 February 2026, our Rotary Club held its 13th formal meeting at the Novotel Hotel.
During the evening, our Club Secretary, Mr. Domagoj Stefan, delivered an interesting and diverse presentation covering several areas from his professional and personal experience. The lecture included insights into various business sectors, such as telecommunications and the gaming industry, as well as an introduction to his home country, Croatia, its culture, and its traditions.
Mr. Stefan also shared some of his personal interests and passions, including his journey with foreign languages and cultural exchange, reflecting the international spirit and curiosity that are deeply connected with Rotary values.
The presentation provided an excellent opportunity for members to learn more about each other, exchange experiences, and discover new perspectives. As always, the evening continued in a warm and friendly atmosphere, filled with interesting discussions, fellowship, and the strong sense of community that characterizes our club.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to another memorable Rotary gathering!
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February 16th, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
How truly wonderful it is for each of us to be at home – no matter how much we travel around the world.
This is what our Vice President shared with us after her visit to her hometown of Haskovo.
Ms. Hristova was warmly welcomed by the President of Rotary Club Haskovo-Aida, Mr. Plamen Petkov. Together with the members of the club, he greeted her with genuine smiles and heartfelt hospitality, creating an atmosphere of openness and friendship from the very beginning.
The meeting was officially opened by President Petkov, who first gave the floor to our Vice President. She spoke about herself and briefly presented the activities and spirit of our club.
Following this, Mr. Petkov introduced the agenda of the meeting and highlighted the key initiatives carried out by Rotary Club Haskovo-Aida.
The club is currently actively involved in three major initiatives:
• Eye examinations for children in kindergartens in Haskovo, aimed at the prevention of a rare eye condition. When diagnosed at an early age, this condition can be completely prevented from causing long-term damage to children’s eyesight.
• Prostate health prevention and examinations for men, offered entirely free of charge and conducted at a medical center owned by a club member.
• The installation of a table tennis table, which will be purchased and assembled by the club and placed at a modern outdoor sports playground located in Kenana Park, equipped with contemporary fitness and recreational facilities.
A cherished tradition of Rotary Club Haskovo-Aida is that each member, following alphabetical order, introduces themselves and their profession. During this meeting, the floor was given to Ms. Nikoleta Kavakova – a wonderful young lady with a radiant smile, intelligent and curious eyes, and remarkable passion.
Ms. Kavakova is a Private Enforcement Agent.
In Bulgaria, a Private Enforcement Agent is a legal professional entrusted by the state with the compulsory enforcement of court decisions and other enforceable legal acts. Although operating as independent professionals, they are an integral part of the justice system and act under delegated state authority. Their work includes enforcing court judgments, collecting debts, and executing official legal documents.
Private Enforcement Agents operate under the supervision of the Minister of Justice, and their territorial jurisdiction corresponds to that of the relevant regional court. They primarily collect private claims, which distinguishes them from state enforcement officers. The profession is regulated by the Law on Private Enforcement Agents.
The profession was established approximately 20 years ago, and currently there are exactly 179 practicing Private Enforcement Agents in Bulgaria. It is a highly dynamic and, in the truest sense of the word, a challenging and sometimes dangerous profession. Ms. Kavakova shared that she and her colleagues are occasionally exposed to threats from debtors.
Despite the seriousness and difficulty of her work, Ms. Kavakova presented her profession with remarkable ease, confidence, and – most impressively – with a warm smile. She shared several striking real-life cases from her daily practice, showing not only professional competence but also personal grace and strength. She left a lasting impression as a very kind, positive, and inspiring person, who manages to bring humanity and dignity to a demanding profession.
In her capacity as Chair of the Rotary Friendship Exchange Subcommittee, Ms. Hristova also presented the Rotary Friendship Exchange Program, emphasizing the incredible opportunities it offers for cultural exchange, international understanding, and personal connections. She warmly invited Rotary Club Haskovo-Aida to participate in upcoming exchanges.
The meeting took place in the true spirit of Rotary – friendship, respect, and shared values.
Rotary Club Sofia International extends its sincere gratitude to Rotary Club Haskovo-Aida for the wonderful hospitality shown to Ms. Ani Hristova, Vice President of our club.
Until our next meetings, dear friends!
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February 4th, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 4 February 2026, our Rotary Club held its 12th formal meeting at the Hilton Hotel.
We had the great pleasure and honor of welcoming our guest lecturer, Mr. Nunzio Panzarella, who delivered an insightful and engaging presentation on several fascinating topics related to personal branding, spin doctoring, and strategic communication.
Through his lecture, Mr. Panzarella shared valuable perspectives on the importance of building a strong personal image, understanding communication strategies, and effectively presenting ideas and messages in today’s dynamic world.
The meeting provided our members with an excellent opportunity to gain new knowledge, exchange opinions, and reflect on the role of communication and leadership in both professional and personal environments.
We sincerely thank Mr. Nunzio Panzarella for sharing his expertise and contributing to another inspiring Rotary evening filled with learning, fellowship, and meaningful discussions.
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January 28th, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 28 January 2026, our Club Secretary, Mr. Domagoj Stefan, hosted an informal gathering of our Rotary Club at the premises of the Croatian-Bulgarian Cultural Association Stjepan Jurinic.
A special thank you goes to our dear member, Mr. Gregory Sharpe, for organizing a selection of board games, which added even more fun and interaction to the evening.
The gathering was relaxed, friendly, and filled with engaging conversations on a wide range of topics. Informal meetings like these provide a wonderful opportunity for members to strengthen friendships, exchange ideas, and enjoy the fellowship that lies at the heart of Rotary.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it another enjoyable evening together!
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January 21st, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 21 January 2026, our Rotary Club held its 11th formal meeting at Novotel Hotel.
During the meeting, our Vice President, Mrs. Ani Hristova, announced several exciting upcoming Rotary Friendship Exchange initiatives with Egypt, the United States, and Sri Lanka, offering our members new opportunities to strengthen international friendships and cultural exchange.
We were also pleased to announce the upcoming visit of fellow Rotarians from Rotary Club Stege, Denmark, and we look forward to welcoming them to our club.
Following the formal meeting, our members enjoyed an engaging and entertaining quiz organized by Mrs. Svetlana Bozhilova. The quiz, centered around the home countries of our club members, was a fun way to celebrate the international spirit and diversity that make our club so unique.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to another inspiring and enjoyable Rotary evening – true to the Rotary spirit of friendship and fellowship.
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January 14th, 2026 - posted in News and Events.
On 14 January 2026, our Rotary Club held its 10th formal meeting at Novotel Hotel.
During the meeting, our dear member Mrs. Hristina Malchevska presented the Rotary Danube Alliance’s “No Butts” Project, an inspiring environmental initiative launched in 2025.
We also enjoyed presentations from our Vice President, Mrs. Ani Hristova, and our candidate member, Mr. Teodor Totev, who shared his experiences from the Rotary Friendship Exchange held in Egypt earlier this month. Teodor spoke warmly of the wonderful time he had there, the welcoming people, the excellent organization, and the remarkable places they were able to visit as locals, seeing the country through the eyes of their Egyptian hosts. We extend our thanks to the Chair, Mr. Jean Moutran, and his wonderful team, for organizing the exchange and hosting our members so warmly. Mrs. Hristova, our Vice President, serves as Chair of the Rotary Friendship Exchange in District 2482.
They also presented the club flags exchanged during the visit, highlighting the spirit of international friendship and cooperation that Rotary proudly promotes.
Thank you to all presenters for making the evening both informative and inspiring!
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December 19th, 2025 - posted in News and Events.
On 19 December 2025, our club members and friends gathered for a warm and festive Pre-Christmas celebration hosted by the Croatian-Bulgarian Cultural Association Stjepan Jurinic, whose President is our Club Secretary, Mr. Domagoj Stefan.
The evening was filled with holiday spirit, joyful conversations, and the opportunity to meet new friends while strengthening the bonds within our community. It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate friendship, fellowship, and the values that unite us both within Rotary and beyond.
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December 10th, 2025 - posted in News and Events.
On 10 December 2025, the 9th official meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International took place, marked by a truly special highlight – the visit of District Governor of District 2482, Bulgaria, Mr. Plamen Tsvetkov.
We were honored to welcome Mr. Tsvetkov and his spouse, Mrs. Galya Pencheva, as our distinguished guests. Also in attendance were Mr. Teodor Totev (Candidate Member) and Mr. Georgi Nedyalkov from Rotary Club Cairo Cosmopolitan, District 2451.
The meeting was further enriched by the presence of Rotaract Club Sofia International and Interact Club Sofia International, who shared their inspiring activities and upcoming projects. Our young Rotarians continue to impress with their energy, dedication, and vision. Mr. Tsvetkov himself expressed admiration for their enthusiasm, calling them the “motors of Rotary” – a sentiment that beautifully reflects the promise of the next generation.
A moment of particular pride for our club was the announcement of the successful completion of the Global Grant project “Paradise for Kids”, supporting the Rehabilitation Center for Children with Oncohematological Diseases.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all Rotary clubs and members who contributed to this important initiative, whose impact will be felt for years to come.
The visit held special meaning for Mr. Plamen Tsvetkov, who was deeply impressed by the passion, commitment, and warmth of our members.
He personally presented our President, Mr. Badan, with the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition and pin, making the occasion even more memorable and significant for our club.
It was a truly inspiring and joyful meeting. We left the gathering with smiles and hearts full of Rotary spirit, strengthened by friendship, collaboration, and shared purpose.
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