Bulgarian Festival “As sam bulgarche” in Madrid
Nov 21st 2010, Madrid – the second Festival of Bulgarians Abroad took place under the title “Az sam bulgarche”. Initiated and organized by Deana Ivanova, Head of the Association of Bulgarians T.A.N.G.R.A, together with the Bulgarian Embassy, ABA, the Madrid Townhall and weekly “New word”. The event celebrated November 1st, Bulgarian Enlighteners' Day.
Ambassador Ivan Hristov welcomed the delegates of the Festival on behalf of Minister Bozhidar Dimitrov. The speech specifically addressed the need for Bulgarians living abroad to keep up and preserve the national spirit, culture and life, and encourage their kinship to learn their mother tongue.
A total of seventeen NGOs took part at the Festival as well as children at Bulgarian schools who presented Bulgarian culture before guests from Spain, Latin America, Romania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine, among other.
The alumni of schools involved in the National programme ‘Mother Tongue and Culture Abroad” proved their accomplishments and talents in a variety of competitions for children’s painting, literature and dancing and musical stage art titled “My City, My World”. The best were granted awards while all others received honorary certificates and presents provided by ABA.
The biggest award was the Festival’s Crown created and presented by Bulgarian sculptor Ivo Chochev.
The Second Festival of Bulgarians Abroad “Az sam balgarche” ended with a closing concert in which eight dancing ensembles of Bulgarians resident in Spain presented the richness of Bulgarian folklore.