The Community Center Brings Together Two Towns

Thanks to the members of folklore ensemble “Slav Boikin” from community center “St.st. Cyril and Methodius”, in Sremska Mitrovitsa, Republic of Serbia during August a new brotherhood of two towns was initiated. Rakovski and Panchevo, Republic of Serbia signed a preliminary agreement for partnership in the presence of the ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Serbia Mr. Giorgi Dimitrov, cultural attaché Mr. Ivailo Kirov, the Mayor of the town of Panchevo Mr. Sergian Mikovich and Stoyo Fitnev, a representative from the town of Rakovski. These public figures along with all the other guests squeezed into the village of Ivanovo for the holiday St. Vendelin, celebrated locally on October 20th, and the Day of Community Leaders, celebrated by the Bulgarians on November 1st. These two dates were the occasion for the dancers from folklore ensemble “Slav Boikin”, who had invitations to bring a program to the village of Ivanovo. Apart from the extended hour and a half performance, community center members gave books in Bulgarian language for cultural education of society in the village of Ivanovo and Belo Blato. Donors of the literature in Bulgarian language for the two cultural educations of society are Publishing House “Hermes”, “Zombori” Press, Community Library “Ivan Vasov”, the Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv, and Community Center “St.st. Cyril and Methodius”. Memories of the trip, performance, conference, and new acquaintances of the dancers from CC “St.st. Cyril and Methodius” owe probably the most thanks to the assistance of Mr. Frantz Kokov – Mayor of the Town of Rakovski, and the generous support of Vecelin Doshkov, manager of “Hebros Bus” OOD.

News with an Extension...

Today, October 18th, our new friend and colleague John Shryock begins work. After his two-day visit in town during September, now he begins with us as a volunteer from Peace Corps for two years. His assignment is to work with kids and youth in the community center and our partner organization – the newly-renovated school “Hristo Smirnenski”. John will organize free English language classes for beginners; those who wish to be included may call the community center. English classes are already organized together with members of the local Police Department, the school “Hristo Smirnenski”, and employees of Unicredit Bulbank, who expressed a desire to learn the language during John’s two-day visit last month.

After much thunder preparation and work, but again always with successful finish, tomorrow October 19th Folklore Ensemble “Slav Boikin” from Community Center “St.st. Cyril and Methodius” leaves for a two-day tour in the Republic of Serbia. It goes without saying that the young dancers will carry quite a lot of talents to our fellow countrymen living there. The Bulgarian cultural information centers will receive the donation of Bulgarian literature, computers, and a copy machine. Besides their presence and the donation youth members of the ensemble will bring, the ensemble will be part of the creation of a new friendship and partnership between the local governments of Rakovski and Panchevo.

Information on how and who helped this time to gather the donation and the ensemble that traveled to Serbia, how and what occurred there during the weekend will be available here on this blog on Monday, October 22nd.