June 26th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, Meeting, News and Events.
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.
Ротари клуб София Интернешънъл
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June 19th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, Meeting, News and Events, Theme evenings.
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.
Ротари клуб София Интернешънъл
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June 12th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, Meeting, News and Events.
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.
Ротари клуб София Интернешънъл
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June 5th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Future projects, Galleries, Meeting, News and Events, Service support.
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.
Ротари клуб София Интернешънъл
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June 4th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Future projects, Galleries, News and Events, Visits to clubs.
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.
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May 27th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, Guest Speakers, Meeting, News and Events, Visits to clubs.
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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May 22nd, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, Meeting, News and Events.
Rotary Club Sofia International have once again held its regular meeting at a different venue. On 15 May we met at SPARK Fitness & SPA, situated at Residential Park, Sofia. The club would like to express gratitude to Mrs. Vessela Toncheva-Schenk who had put all elements of the night together for us.
Our visit started with a site visit through the premises of SPARK Fitness & SPA. We explored the spacious, bright and sunny sports hall, the salt water swimming pool, the modern SPA and massages area, the gym, the secluded garden.
After the tour the members and guests of Rotary Club Sofia International had 1 hour lesson in three different types of Bulgarian folkdance – “horo” – Standard, Haskovo, and Rhodopian. The lesson was accompanied by a live back pipe performance.
After we burnt some calories and learned to play the horo, we continued with a well-deserved healthy meal in the garden.
We all had fun and enjoyed the evening having friendly talks at the informal atmosphere of club’s garden.
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May 21st, 2019 - posted in Activities, Future projects, Galleries, News and Events, Service support, Visits to clubs.
On 21 May 2019, Ms. Ani Hristova, Mr. Enrico Repouz and Mr. Plamen Kertev from Rotary Club Sofia International visited the Regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia Serdika in Arena di Serdica hotel, Sofia.
It was special day for two members of the host club – our Assistant District Governor – Mr. Konstantin Yanakiev and Mrs. Elena Boyanova, as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks 21 May as the day of St. St. Konstantin and Elena.
The meeting was opened with the bell by the President of the Rotary Club Sofia Serdika – Mr. Kristin Gaydarov. After the official ceremony, he gave the floor to Ms. Hristova, Mr. Repouz and Mr. Kertev to introduce themselves. Mr. Gaydarov, then updated the attendees with the latest news concerning the project of the club for Community Center in Fakulteta neighborhood, which will be operated by the Rotary Community Corps. Later on Mr. Gaydarov gave the floor to Mr. Repouz, who explained about our project for the first sitting volleyball club in Bulgaria – “Sofia Owls” – for athletes with disabilities. During the presentation of Mr. Repouz, there was a lively discussion and a lot of interest in the project by our hosts.
Mr. Gaydarov closed the official part and the fellowship continued.
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May 19th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, News and Events, Visits to clubs.
Ms. Ani Hristova, Past President pf Rotary Club Sofia International and Chair of Subcommittee for Donations and Recognitions, Mr. Plamen Kertev, President Elect, Mr. Michail Sougarev, member of the District Team of Subcommittee for Donation and Recognitions attended the XII Annual Conference of Rotary District 2482 Bulgaria in Pomorie on 18 and 19 May 2019.
The conference started on Saturday morning, with the bell and the anthems of Bulgaria and of Rotary Bulgaria. The District Governor Mr. Vesselin Dimitrov opened the seminar. Mr. Nikolay Yanakiev, President of Rotary Club Pomorie and Mr. Ivan Alexiev, Mayor of Pomorie also welcomed the guests. Later on Mr. Peter King, Representative of the President of Rotary International Mr. Barry Rasin conveyed a special message to the participants and all Rotarians in Bulgaria form the Rotary International President. The program continued with the annual report of Mr. Dimitrov, District Governor 2018/2019 of District 2482 Bulgaria.
After the lunch break Mr. Dimitrov continued with the topic “People in Action – our Inspiration” followed by awarding of the distinguished Rotarians and Rotary Clubs throughout his year as a District Governor. Rotary Club Sofia International also received an award, for a consecutive year. The conference wаs closed by the next District Governor, Mr. Mitko Minev.
This year the organizers had also thought about promoting the businesses of Rotarians by setting up a “House of Friendship”, where the Rotarians had the opportunity to presente their companies.
In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner reception, where for the good mood of the guests cared the singers Mrs. Toni Dimitrova and Mr. Rosen Senkovski.
On Sunday the General Assembly of Rotary Bulgaria was held, where the budget and the new statutes of the District were adopted.
Photo credits: Mr. Plamen Ilarionov (Rotary Club Gabrovo) and private archive.
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May 15th, 2019 - posted in Activities, Galleries, Meeting, News and Events, Visits to clubs.
Thanks to our Chinese Rotary Club Sofia International member Mrs. Dessy Tian we held our regular meeting on 15 May at a hidden gem in the culinary scene of Sofia – the authentic Chinese Restaurant Great Harvest. Our friend Dessy Tian put a special and colorful menu together for us to try. The dinner was a treat – two full tables for altogether 24 people, including eight guests – Mr. Anthony Ivagnes, Mrs. Olga Ivagnes, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Danchev, Mr. Fridtjof Schenk, Mr. Brandur Haukson, Mrs. Irina Repouz, and a friend of Ms. Dessy Tian. All present had the chance to sample form 15 different and authentic dishes plus soup as desert to fill the small gaps remaining in our stomachs.
Interesting things that were noticed:
1. Menu for Chinese customers is only 3 pages long vs menu for none Chinese customers 30 pages;
2. Dishes ordered form the menu in Chinese for Chinese are generally more expensive, because of the higher quality ingredients. None Chinese are served lesser quality foods;
3. Chinese eat only two types of rice: plain and/or with eggs and it is always served separately;
4. Chinese are very aware of food quality and treasure costly products such
as rare vegetables, fish and meats.
Ms. Hristova and Mr. Repouz have shared their experience as Ambassadors of “Sofia Owls” and the sport of sitting volleyball. They are visiting Rotary clubs to spread the word on Rotary Club Sofia International’s initiative. RC Sofia Triadisa was their first stop and the presentation was very well received. You can find the summary of the visit here.
Everyone is welcome to help spreading the word of “Sofia Owls” and to join the Ambassadors team.
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