The Kukeri Group will Aagain Perform in Bulgaria

On February 28th, 2009 the kukeri group from Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius", Rakovski, will be in Plovdiv, Northern District. The parade will leave from the parking lot of Sankt Peterburg Hotel and will finish in the garden of Brezovsko Avenue, where the kukers will dance to expel evil forces.

On March 1st, 2009 the kukers will decorate the roads with martenitsas due to the fact that
They are taking part in a kukeri festival in Momin Prohod, Municipality of Kostenets.

Martenitsas

The week of February 23rd to the 27th, at Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius", Rakovski, children will make martenitsas, after which a “Martenitsa Bazaar of Children’s Martenitsas” will open.

Once again, the staff of the community center and the lead teachers from the third grade at Hristo Smirnenski School, Mrs. Govedarova and Mrs. Pendakova, have taken on the task of organizing and implementing the event.

The kids will spend their free time constructively with the development of creative thinking and get a more detailed introduction to the March First holiday.

My Home is My Castle

This is the title of the production which will take place in the hall of Community Center “St. st. Cyril and Methodius”, Town of Rakovski on Tuesday, February 17th 2009 at 6:30 PM.
Entry is free!
The author of the production is Vladislav Karamfilov, director Alexander Iliev and composer Vlado Jambazov.
The cast includes Vladislav Karamfilov, Kiril Efremov, Kofe Babone, Plamen Peyev, Stefan Izvorov, Stefan Shterev and the Theatre Dreams troupe.
After the production an auction will be held for the winning wines from “Vinaria-Rakovski 2009”, which will take place on February 14th, 2009.

VINARIA 2009

The traditional Vinaria is being organized this year by the Municipality of Rakovski and Community Center “St. st. Cyril and Methodius”, Town of Rakovski, on February 14th, 2009.

Candidates who wish to participate in the competition for best wine may enter a sample of the wine – white, red and/or wormwood – from February 9th to the 13th at Community Center “St. st. Cyril and Methodius”, Town of Rakovski.

For the king of the wine and his runners up there will be different surprises, besides the traditions!

We await your arrival!

How the Festival Ended

The Seventh Annual International Festival of Kukeri and Masquerade Games “Kukove – Rakovski 2009” has come to an end. This year, in spite of the relatively short period of time for organizing, the 15 groups scrambled here for the prize. Two groups from the Republic of Macedonia participated in the opening ceremonies and at the beginning of the second day, followed by young majorettes from the Village of Trude in the Plovdiv Region who gave the start of the groups from Bulgaria.
A jury including Mrs. Irena Bokova, Mr. Angel Yankov, Mr. Nikolai Nenov, Mrs. Svetla Dimitrova, and Mrs. Tania Mareva, after a brief deliberation, delivered the following awards:
For good performance:
Village of Sokolitsa, Municipality of Karlovo; Town of Banya, Municipality of Karlovo; Village of Gabra, Municipality of Elin Pelin; Village of Kovachevtsi, Municipality of Kovachevtsi; Village of Kliment, Municipality of Karlovo;
For instruction in tradition:
Kukeri Association Alexandrovo – Osetenovo – Manolovo; Village of Karavelovo, Municipality of Karlovo; Village of Vasil Levski, Municipality of Karlovo; Village of Kamen, Municipality of Sliven;
For artistry and costumes:
Village of Stefanovo, Municipality of Radomir; Town of Batanovtsi, Municipality of Pavel Banya;
For artistry and support of the tradition:
Village of Shiroka Lucka, Municipality of Smolyan; Village of Turia, Municipality of Pavel Banya;
and the vote for complex performance:
City of Yambol; Town of Pavel Banya
Awards of achievement and encouragement go to the seven children’s kukeri groups from the municipality, who participated in the opening ceremonies of the festival.

Seventh Annual International Festival of Kukeri and Masquerade Games

The municipality of Rakovskli and Community Center “St. st. Cyril and Methodius”, Rakovski, are organizing the Seventh Annual International Festival of Kukeri and Masquerade Games “Kukove Rakovski 2009”. The festival will be carried out under the patronage of the Temporary Mayor of the Town of Rakovski, Mr. Stoyo Fitnev and the Chairman of the Rakovski Town Council, Mr. Ivan Antonov. According to the statute of the festival, it takes place every year the Friday and Saturday before Shrovetide, but this year the statute has not been followed due to the upcoming elections. The festival will take place on February 6th and 7th instead.
On February 6th at 5:30 PM, groups from the community centers and schools from the municipality of Rakovski will perform, and at 6:00 PM the real opening of the festival begins with the symbolic bonfire and the banishment of the evil spirits by the kukeri groups from the Plovdiv region and guest performers from Macedonia.
A majorette group with marching band will head up the second day of the festival, February 7th at 10:00 AM, when the groups from The Republic of Macedonia and The Republic of Bulgaria will perform.
A jury including Professor Irena Bokova from New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Mr. Angel Yankov from the Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum, Mr. Nikolai Nenov from the Russe Ethnographic Museum, Mrs. Svetla Dimitrova from the Stara Zagora Ethnographic Museum, and Mrs. Tania Mareva from the Smolyan Historical Museum will judge the performances of the groups of the seventh annual “Kukove Rakovski 2009”.

Kukove-Rakovski 2009

After a brief break in the participation of Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius" in the organization of the International Festival of Kuker and Masquerade Dances, this year we were once again assigned to making this event a reality for the entire municipality. In spite of the brief period of time during which the organization of the undertaking must be completed, the festival will take place a little earlier taking into account the statutory time due to the date on which the private elections will be held for Mayor of the Municipality of Rakovski . The dates during which the events will take place are the 6th and 7th of February, 2009.
During 2009, for a difference from other years, the festival will take place under the patronage of Vr. I. D. Mayor of the Municipality of Rakovski Stoyo Fitnev and the Chairman of the Rakovski Municipal Council Mr. Ivan Antonov.
We await confirmation from a number of collectives from around the country and outside of it.

And a little for the sponsors

The week devoted to the 100-year anniversary of Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius", Rakovski, was carried out under the patronage of Vr. I. D. Mayor of the Municipality of Rakovski Mr. Stoyo Fitnevand Chairman of the Rakovski Municipal Council, Mr. Ivan Antonov.
Backing received from ЕТ"ПАНЮК- Надка Мандраджийска", "Танита"ЕООД, "Масив-4" ООД, "Ориноко-Д" ЕООД , "ИМБО"ООД, "ЦИМА-99" ООД, "ИНСА"ООД, "ЛЕГИЯ"АД, Ямантиеви Wine Cellar in Ivailovgrad and Villa Vinifera in the Village of Brestovitsa. We would like to state our thanks to everyone who believed in us and supported us in the organization of one unforgettable week.

A Week Full of Emotions

It has been a week full of emotions, songs, dances, music and rejoicing. It all began on December 15th with the making of children’s Christmas sticks and Christmas loaves, combining the 100 year anniversary of the community center with the components of the Christmas and New Year holidays. The day continued with the opening of and exhibit of local artists, and concluded with a magnificent concert by the Trakia Folk Ensemble from Plovdiv.
The second day of the celebration was also quite interesting and instructive. The children from the kindergartens in town had the opportunity to be introduced to Mary’s Puppet, a production of The Puppet Theater of Stara Zagora. The evening continued with Egocentric café-theater, As a Bulgarian, Am I an Idiot?
For lovers of wedding music, The Young Thracians Orchestra performed a one hour concert which a number of young local singers took part in. Earlier in the day, the kids were glad to meet with Santa Clause in the community center.

With the oncoming of the big date the events started to become progressively more thematically intense. An exhibit featuring local photographer Nedelcho Stoikov called The Community Center Through the Years had opened, the event finished with a large variety of colors and patterns as well as the rich sounds and voices of the students from Luben Karavelov High School in Plovdiv.
The amateur variety program of community centers from the Municipality of Rakovski was rich with local talent. The Hristo Botev Community Center from the Village of Stryama were represented by their always-dominant “Stryaman Brides”, and the young dancers from Enlightenment Community Center in the Village of Belozem brightened the audience with the rhythms of Cha-Cha and Samba.
The Slav Boikin Folklore Ensemble from Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius" was in rather larger form due to the addition of participants from almost every incarnation of the group that has passed through the community center over the years.
The culmination of the week was on December 20, 2008, when the 100-year anniversary of the community center was marked with a concert by The Pirin Folk Ensemble from Blagoevgrad, a bonfire, and fireworks featuring the kukeri group from Vasil Levski Community Center in the Village of Kliment and the kukeri group from Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius" in Rakovski.

A tale of the people and the men and the young people with character

On September 13, 2008 a group of young enthusiasts thought, considered and determined that six years is more than enough time for a community center to exist without a stage. A stage, which solely for the entire town, and more, that this community center after one or two months would be turning 100 years old. What did they do? -Martin, Phillip, Nikolai, Andre, Boiko, Penka, Maria and Victoria!
They rolled up their sleeves and for months in a row, in defiance of everyone and everything, worked day and night in order to attain their one secret dream – to dance on the stage of the local community center.
And… they made it from a pile of wood, two hammers, nails, nuts, bolts and one cementer. In under three months they crafted the stage, on which to dance, to frolic, to teach themselves, and to spend every free minute on something healthy and creative.
From here began everything…
The community center staff thank these young people, who didn’t waste their talent and time and decided instead to voluntarily make something beautiful and healthy for the whole city!

100 Years Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius"

Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius", Rakovski, becomes a centenarian. The event will be marked during the week of December 15th - 20th, 2008 under the patronage of the mayor of the Municipality of Rakovski and the Chairman of the Municipal Council of Rakovski.

PROGRAM

MONDAY
December 15, 2008

2:00 The making of children’s Christmas sticks and Christmas pastry-rings with kids from the applied art club



Organization of Christmas borough



5:30 Opening of gallery show of local artists

6:00 Concert: Trakia (Thrace) Folklore Ensemble, of Plovdiv



TUESDAY
December 16, 2008

10:00 & 11:00 Children’s puppet theater – Mary’s Puppet

6:00 “Egocentric” café-theater presents As a Bulgarian, am I an idiot?, with Simeon Alexiev



WEDNESDAY
December 17, 2008

9:30 Opening of exhibition of children’s Christmas sticks and Christmas bread

2:00 Santa Clause at the community center

5:30 Concert: Mladi Trakitsi (Young Thracians) Orchestra, featuring soloists Vania Vulkova and Violeta Kalinova


THURSDAY
December 18, 2008

5:00 Gallery opening: local photographer Nedelcho Stoikov – The Community Center Through the Years
5:30 Concert: Students from Luben Karavelov High School (Plovdiv) with soloists:
Svetelina Carlakasheva
Ivalina Carlakasheva
Mariana Oreshkova
Lilia Stancheva
Veronica Borgodjieva

FRIDAY
December 19, 2008

10:00 Debate including community center chairpersons, secretaries, librarians, trustees, and the public: The Community Center – Naturally Attractive Center of the Community

5:30 Mixed program including amateur performers from the community centers of the Municipality of Rakovski



STAURDAY
December 20, 2008

6:00 Grand concert including the Kukeri Collective of Community Center “Vasil Levski” (Climent Village, Municipality of Karlovo), the Kukeri Collective of Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius" (Town of Rakovski), and the Pirin Folklore Ensemble (City of Blagoevgrad).

SUNDAY
December 21, 2008

5:00 Christmas Pageant organized by the children of “Holy Heart Jesus” parish

Kukers in Kurjali

The kukeri collective from community center "Св.св.Кирил и Методий" took Kurjali by storm on October 4th to celebrate 95 years of active community centers in the province of Kurjali, and more specifically the 95th anniversary of community center "Обединение" (Society), City of Kurjali.

The smallest participant in the kuker procession was the tiny Йоана, who is one year and 11 months old. One of the newest members in the kukeri collective of community center "Св.св.Кирил и Методий", Town of Rakovski.

For the excellence of their presentation, the collective was rewarded a certificate and a gift from the Regional Director of Kurjali Province. After the young people’s presentation at the 95th anniversary followed a short, two-hour tourism lesson. The group visited the area "Перперикон" (Perperikon), of course climbing to the top, and the smallest kuker didn’t quite make it.

Plovdiv on the night of the museums and the galleries

Despite the rain which fell throughout the entire day on September 26th, in the old part of the city of Plovdiv the night of museums and galleries was carried out. Surprisingly, even with the unusually wet and cold weather for this time of year, the old city was full of people who wished to visit the prepared events which occur once a year in the museums and galleries. One of the participating museums was the Ethnographic museum, which exhibited folklore wool this year. Participants included the ensemble and kukeri collective from community center “Св.св.Кирил и Методий”, Rakovski, amateurs from the city of Isperih and the village of Malevo. The ring of cow bells and from the kukeri from the community center and the cries of the devils in the streets of Old Plovdiv took command of the night, followed by a performance by Anna Mandrajiska, the presentation of the custom "Попрелки" from from the amateurs from the village of Malevo and the performance of the a cappella group "Бели карамфили" (White Carnations) from the Historical museum in Isperih. After completing their performance, the program continued until the early dawn and the dance and improvisation school of the folklore ensemble from community center “Св.св.Кирил и Методий” drew countless visitors to the museum.

For the people and the places the rulers

Community Center “Св.св.Кирил и Методий” has gone six years without a stage, but despite the wishes of many people for it to remain that way even longer still, we turned to the community for help with the reconstruction of the stage. The appeal to them did not go unanswered. Ten volunteers were collected starting this week, and the stage is already almost ready. With this attitude we are already sure that there is at least a real possibility of the planned events from December 15th to 20th, 2008 will take place in the auditorium of the community center.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the people who believe in us helped us to check up on the problems at the community center. We would also like to extend the sincere gratitude to the representatives of businesses who believe in our accomplishments and help us to organize activities. Sincere thanks to the municipal administration of Rakovski for their tireless work concerning the community center building, events which are organized by the community center, and the contribution for the lack of staff in the community center through the transfer of such in non-working community centers in the municipality.

The community center in Kurjali turns 95

The community center “Обединение” (Society) in the city of Kurjali will celebrate its 95th anniversary week from September 30th to October 5th.
On October 4th the kukeri collective from community center “Св.св.Кирил и Методий”, Rakovski, will take part in the celebration in the anniversary of community center “Обединение”. And on October 2nd the Director of the community center will be part of a round table discussion on the theme: “The community center secretary – traditionalist or modern manager.” A presentation on good practices of community centers from southern Bulgaria, organized by community center “Обединение”, Kurjali.

Night of the museums

The annual Night of the Museums will be conducted once again this year in the old part of the city of Plovdiv. The event takes place on September 26th and the doors are open for everyone. One of the participants in the night pageant are the dnacers from the folklore ensemble “Слав Бойкин” (Slav Boikin) from community center “Св.св.Кирил и Методий”, who will perform at one of the museums in Plovdiv.
The mission for the youth, however, is not only to perform at the event, but also to take on the role of instructors of folk fitness for the visitors of the Ethnographic museum – Plovdiv.

New association of the hard-working community centers

A new association of the hard-working community centers from the south central district was founded last week. The staff of Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius" participated in the establishment. The name of the association is "ЧАР-ЮГ" (or “Magic-South”), whose entire goal is to help the development and approval of the intellectual value, the civil society, the education and the culture through the community centers in the Southern central system region -- the traditional social center; to ensure favorable circumstances for the stable development of the area community, through the development and implementation of strategies, projects and programs, connected with the community centers in the Southern central system region; to further the development of community center work, through the help of community center projects and initiatives, consistent with the development and endorsement of the local cultural traditions, the aid of socially isolated social groups, educational – learning activities, social integration, and character development.
Membership of the association may be community centers, who have received two recommendations from members of the association.

Take the things in your hands !

This year, the “Komunitance” Foundation has announced a competition for talented and studies students from the 6th to the 13th grade – “1000 Scholarships”. The competition has two rings. The first ring is connected with the preparation of documents and applications, and the second ring consists of interviews with approved candidates from the first ring. Registration in the competition can be on the internet, but after July 15th.
Candidates may participate alone or together with a teacher. For more information, you visit the site of the “Komunitance” Foundation -- www.1000stipendii.org, or the library of Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius", where you will find paper copies of application forms, the brochure for the eligibility requirements for application a description of the project.

“Global Libraries – Bulgaria” Project

The research and assessment of the needs of the libraries for the new project “Global Libraries – Bulgaria” from the “Bill and Melinda Gates” foundation has begun. The project is accomplished in two phases: the first is the evaluation of the needs of 1,500 libraries from general number 2,814.
From the municipality of Rakovski, seven of the eight community center libraries are included in the evaluation of the needs, one of which is the library at Community Center "St.st. Cyril and Methodius", Town of Rakovski.
For the second phase, 1,200 libraries will remain and will be aided with the project. In these, the entire program will be carried out with a duration of 3 to 5 years.

Together we achieve more

For the third straight year, the staff of Community Center “ “ and the class instructors together with their graduates from “Hristo Smirnenski” Elementary School celebrated the big Bulgarian holiday – May 24th – The Day of Bulgarian Characters and Culture.


In what has practically already become a tradition, 45 kids participated from the 2nd grade class. Each and every child participated in a number of activities such as skipping rope, orienteering with maps and collecting the pieces of a puzzle, tug of war, forming sentences out of jumbled words, and a number of games in which the kids gave everything they from themselves both creatively and physically.



Of course, this year we didn’t forget the primary game


“What I made with Mom and Grandma” which includes the presentation of the dishes


which the kids had cooked together with their parents.


For the fulfillment of the undertaking, the teachers and the community center personnel would like to express their gratitude to the Director of the Budgetary function “Education” for the municipality of Rakovski, who provided transportation to the area in which the event took place.