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International Women’s Club of SofiaSince 1989

November2019

LOCATION: TBA“THANK YOU”

COFFEE MORNING

10 DECEMBER 2019 (10:30)

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Dear IWC members,

What a fantastic time for our organization!We should all be proud and honored to be the current IWC members and

Board during such memorable celebrations, events and the elevation of the IWC to becoming one of Bulgaria’s most significant organizations.

Our 30th Anniversary Gala was fully booked - it was a pleasure to have an entire table of former IWC members and a former President, who came from around Europe and as far as the USA to be with us on this special day. Thank you all for being there, thank you for the lovely feedback and complements after the celebration! Thank you for the togetherness and contribution that each one of you gives to the Club!

The IWC sponsored disability run was great success and surprisingly it was supported by the Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, who joined us in person and participated in the run. The disabled community in Bulgaria, wishing to be active, has our support through the 5km run charity organization.

25th Annual Bazaar preparations are in full motion. Gratitude to this year’s Bazaar organizer Angelina Lyakova and the entire Bazaar team for dedicating so much of their time in the past month for the successful organization of our main charity event!

I am pleased to report that the boy Tonizar and his family, who suffered an attack earlier this year and were helped financially by the IWC to overcome their difficult situation, have just reported about his great success – he became a national karate champion in his category.

It’s all good and positive when it comes to the IWC thanks to our joint efforts in spreading goodness. It is so nice to be appreciated – gratitude to the UAE Ambassador and his wife Madam Nadya for the beautiful flowers that arrived at the office. I would finally like to encourage everyone to get involved and support the forthcoming Bazaar on the 1st of December. Every little helps and makes a huge difference.

Blessings!

Yours,Albena JonesIWC President

IWC EXECUTIVEBOARD 2019-2020

PresidentAlbena Jones, UK gsm: 0879 119 152

president@iwc-sofia.org

Vice-PresidentFatma Senem Ustun

Turkeyvicepresident@iwc-sofia.org

TreasurerDesislava Ivanova, BG

treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

Charity ChairpersonKrastina Aranitasi, UKcharity@iwc-sofia.org

Bazaar CoordinatorsAngelina LiakovaTeodora PetrovaOlga Georgieva

c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com

Address2 Maria Louiza Blvd., TZUM,

fl.71000 Sofia

tel: 02 951 6117www.iwc-sofia.org

Office Manager &Membership Coordinator

Zarina Benoun-Takovagsm: 0895 571 813

office@iwc-sofia.orgtel.: 02 951 6117

(please call before visiting)

Project and OfficeSupport Associate

Milena Varzonovtseva admin@iwc-sofia.org

www.iwc-sofia.org https://www.facebook.

com/IWCSofia2018/

president’sletter

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IWC Club Policy

Rules For Announcements From Members

SmokingPlease note that all IWC Coffee Mornings are non-smoking.

LanguageDon’t let a lack of fluency in English keep you from attending the monthly coffee mornings and other club activities. Many of our members speak other languages. Remember, we are an international club, and we are here to support you. You’re welcome at any time.

Suggestion BoxThe suggestion box is always available at the members’ sign-in table. Feel free to write your ideas, concerns, complaints, and suggestions to the IWC Board and drop them in the box. Because you’re important to us, we want to hear from you.

IWC Visitors PolicyThe IWC doors are open to visitors throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to attend up to two coffee mornings and two activities prior to applying for membership. A 15 BGN fee is payable upon registration at the sign-in table during the coffee morning. For more information, please contact the Membership Coordinator at admin@iwc-sofia.org.

Events ChargesAll events are available to fully paid up members of the IWC. Where there is a cost involved, it will be kept to the very minimum.

Guests will be able to attend the events that are specified at the time. Not all events will be open to guests. Events that are open to guests will also carry a ‘guest’ surcharge as follows:

Monthly EventsFree monthly events are free to guests. Events costing under 20BGN, there is an additional charge of 5BGN.Events costing 21BGN or more, there is an additional charge of 50%.

Monthly Activity GroupsMonthly activity groups are free and any charge for guests will be at the discretion of the organiser of the group, a charge

may be added for instance if a guest regularly frequents one of these activities without becoming a member.A deposit is required from all members and guests attending an event with a cost involved. This deposit will be forfeited in the case of non attendance.

*Charge for guests at the discretion of the activity group organiser with a min. sum of 10 BGN. Use of IWC LogoThe Board has established the following policy for the use of the IWC logo and brand name. In order to prevent any misuse.1. Written Permission must be requested from the Board a minimum of 2 weeks prior to event;2. The partnering organisation/company should be in good standing in the community;3. The event should seek to pursue the goals of the IWC;4. No third-party usage will be permitted. An agreement will be signed between IWC and partner organisation;5. The Logo may be used only for the agreed event and for specified time period.

Guidelines for Paid Advertisement1. Priority for any vacant advertising spaces will be given first to IWC members, then to outside advertisers.2. Advertisers are welcome to run or extend their advertise-ments for a period of six months. After that time, if there is a waiting list for advertisements of that size, the situation will be reviewed, and priority for available spaces will be given to (a) IWC members; (b) new advertisers; (c) existing advertisers. The same order of priority will apply to smaller ad space that may become available.3. There is no waiting list for advertisements of a given size, the current advertiser may extend their advertisement for the contract period of their choice.4. These guidelines may be revised at any time with the agreement of the IWC Board.5. Paid advertisers are not endorsed by the IWC.

1. Advertisements will be run in two consecutive issues. If the member sends a request to run the advertisement again, it will be extended for a further two issues. After that, the advertisement will be removed. If the member still wishes to include the advertisement after that time, the request will be considered, but placement is not guaranteed.

2. Advertisements must be submitted by members. Members may not submit ads for non-members (e.g., for a friend who is selling a car, etc.).

3. Members may not submit recommendations for businesses. These recommendations may be submitted to the IWC Go To Guide. Businesses are also welcome to purchase advertising in the newsletter.

4. Recommendations for individuals engaged in business (e.g., dentists, hairdressers, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

5. Final discretion as to whether to include an announcement rests with the Newsletter Editor.

We ask members to send all announcements for the newsletter via e-mail. The size of ads should not exceed a single paragraph of five lines. The IWC board is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided in these announcements.Please send your contributions to newsletter@iwc-sofia.org not later than the 15th of the preceding month.

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IWC President Albena Jones with the Anniversary Gala Guests of Honour

with art designer Asen Milchev

with Mrs. Busisiwe Thage

with Mihaela Bratanova TZUM

with Carol Mamabolo - stallholder for South Africa

with Jane Muita - UNICEF and Mihaela Dobre - IWC Bazaar organizerwith H.E. Mr. Thabo Thage and Mrs. Thage - Ambassador of South Africa and Mrs. Iva Vladimirova

- Business on High Heels Club

with Mr. Maxim Behar - M3 Communications and Honorary Consule of the Seychelles

with H.E. Mrs. Nargiz Gurbanova - Ambassador of Azerbaijan

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30th Anniversary Wall

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30th Anniversary Members and guests

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30th Anniversary The celebration

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Продавам в гр. Кюстендил 63 кв.м. апартамент в малък блок до спа-център.Цена: 40 000 EUR

За контакт:Лили Борисовател: 0879 529 680_____________________________________________________________

Small apartment for sale in the town of +Kystendil, 63 sq.m. in a small building near a spa-center.Price: 40 000 EUR

For contact:Lili Borisovatel: 0879 529 680

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First Stallholder Meeting – 24 SeptemberThe First Stallholder Meeting was held at the Moroccan ambassador’s residence. Her Excellency Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui was a gracious host. It was attended by approximately 50 stallholders. Initial information about the Bazaar preparation and the new implementations for the 25th IWC Annual Charity Bazaar were shared with the attendees. A stallholder pack with guidance was handed out and we all enjoyed delicious Moroccan sweets and aromatic Arabic tea and coffee.

Albena JonesIWC President

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5km run / IWC Disability run – 19 OctoberOn a sunny Saturday morning over 200 runners got together in South Park for the weekly 5km route. This run was different as 20% of the runners were disabled young people. Most were partially or fully visually impaired, so they were running coupled up to guide-runners. We even had one wheelchair participant. It was a pleasant surprise and great honor for everyone to have President Rumen Radev join our event. His presence, kindness and encouragement brought smiles to everybody’s face. Gratitude to Georgi Stanoilov – the founder of 5km run, for the brilliant event organisation! I was very happy to be able to present the disabled participants with token gifts from the IWC at the finish line.

Albena JonesIWC President

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October HighlightsHISTORICAL WALKING TOUR

IKEBANA EVENT

MONTHLY LUNCH

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novemberbirthdays

Patchwork GroupThis group consists of seven members and we are meet-ing every Monday in the PLUS TOVA café, situated in Marin Drinov 38 st., from 10 am to 12 pm. Teacher of the group is Dusica Trkulja who is showing the making of patchwork. The members of the group have made a patchwork pillow which they would like to show to IWC members during the morning coffee in November. The group will continue again in January 2018 with its classes as in the following few months we will focus on the char-ity Christmas Bazaar preparations!

Book ClubMembers read one book a month, and then get together to discuss the book (discussions are in English and are usually very fun and lively). We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from writers of all nationalities. There is a morning meeting once a month on Friday. For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@ya-hoo.com.

English Conversation GroupWe are five native English speakers who take it in turns to lead a weekly conversation group every Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Different venues and topics are chosen every week. All members and all levels are welcome. Co-ordinator of the group is Avantica Shinde, email: avantica@gmail.com.

Spanish Conversation GroupEverybody who wants to practice and improve her Spanish is welcome to our weekly meetings. Also, if you are already fluent in Spanish or if you are a native speaker and you would like to participate, please enquire at CM to see who is leading this group, as there were changes.

Bulgarian Conversation GroupFive Native Bulgarian speakers joined to form a conver-sation group by special request – just for you to grow and increase and to practice your B U L G A R I A N! We meet weekly at 10.30 every Tuesday. Please contact Petya Videnov for location – the teachers/ tutors are all wonderful Bulgarian friends from IWC who you respect

and know. Don’t be afraid! Come join us! Zapovyaday!! Contact Petya by e-mail:petyavidenov@yahoo.co.uk or phone: 02/944 80 47

Russian Conversation GroupTo the attention of anyone who wish to improve conver-sational Russian language regardless of the level of her knowledge and practice: the new Russian Conversation group starts from February planning to meet twice a month. Everybody who is interested is welcome. Please contact Marieta Neykova who is a native Russian speaker by e-mail: neykova-mp@dir.bg or tel. 0889 84 93 54.

Hiking ClubThe hiking group is an energetic group of dedicated hik-ers who head up to Vitosha and the surrounding moun-tains every Friday. We usually meet at 9 am at Fantas-tico in Dragelevtsi. An email is sent to all hikers every Wednesday with more specific plans and this often in-cludes different meeting points. A typical hike will bring us back to our meeting point at 2 or 3. For more infor-mation please write to Bistra Karakoleva (biskarakoleva@ gmail.com).

TennisA group of members are starting to regularly play ten-nis together. We are of mixed ability and if you wish to join us or get on the regular emailing list then please contact Teodora Petrova on 0888 495066 or her email: teodora_p@yahoo.com.

Tuesday PlaygroupMums and dads with babies, toddlers and small children, please come along to our weekly playgroup! We meet every Wednesday at 10am, at someone’s home or in a park or play centre. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people (some of us have lived in Sofia for many years so are great sources of advice and information too), and for the children to make friends. It’s totally free and there is no obligation to host, so please do come and join us! For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please email Stephanie.Karaolis@gmail.com.

Maya Metodieva - 7 NovemberParomita Sanatani - 15 November

Nevena Doycheva-Ryan - 17 NovemberSylvia Stamenova - 17 November

Regular activities

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IWC NOVEMBER activitiesDear friends, thank you for your

participation for last month’s events. We scheduled a variety of activities for you again and are looking forward to see you participate!

Fatma Senem UstunIWC Vice President0889103323

“Being creative and artistic is not a hobby, it’s a way of life!”

“EBRU” MARBLING - DEMONSTRATION AND COURSE

The art of ebru, or marbling as it is known in English, is a mysterious art whose history and technique hold many secrets. By whom, when or how ebru was discovered is unknown. However, researchers agree that it originated in the city of Bukhara in Turkistan, and from here spread via the Silk Road to Persia, India and Anatolia.

The difficulties entailed by ebru lend it an uncertainty which is certainly part of its fascination.

In the past patterned paper was traditionally used to line book bindings, but today ebru works are often framed as pictures.

In outline the traditional method is as follows: First a solution of gum tragacanth is placed in deep tray. The sap obtained from the stems of Astragalus Tragacantha, gum tragacanth, lends viscosity to the water.

Who originally had this idea? No one knows. The origin of the method of preparing the pigments is another mystery. Having been ground to a fine powder the pigments are mixed with some kind of solutions. Then one or two small spoonsful of fresh cattle gall are added to aid surface fluidity. The paints are now ready to use. The paints are dripped or sprinkled onto the surface of the solution with a brush. Dipping a stick into the water, the paint is gently swirled into the desired pattern. The sheet of paper is now gently placed on surface of the solution, and after waiting few seconds carefully lifted.

Place: Dancing studio “Мушмула” (Mushmula)Adress: “Dimitar Dospevski” 9, 1784 Mladost 1, SofiaDate & Time: Saturday, the 9th of November, at 10:30 amDuration: Aprox. 1,5 hours Fee: 20 BGN per person, All necessary materials to create an original work of art. As a compliment - some refreshments and cookies.Contact Person: Antoaneta BebenovaMob.: +359 887 470 366e-mail: abebenova@abv.bg

OPEN DISCUSSIONAre you struggling to connect on a deeper

level with the opposite gender?Or are you sick of not feeling seen, heard

or valued in your relationship?Is there a way to break through these

endless cycles?In this 2 hours open discussion we will

get deep and personal. We will share our experience of how to connect deeply even with people you meet for the first time and how to change a relationship that is full of standoffs, arguments, and fights.

After laying down the structure of communication and the main differences between women and men, we will give

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practical answers to your questions.Who are Maria and Tolee:Maria Alexiadou: Life Coach and Beauty

ExpertTolee Fotitzidis: Personal and Biz StrategistWe are together for 21 years and married

for 11 years with two daughters. This wasn’t an easy journey for us, and it is still challenging. But challenges don’t have to be painful. Overcoming a challenge means growth. We can decide if it breaks us or if we go through it with certainty and inner peace by using the tools and methods we will present on that Saturday.

Date & Time: Saturday, the 9th of November, at 10:30 amDuration: Aprox. 2 hours Place: Sequoia Events Adress: 5, Sasha Popov, BoyanaFee: 5 BGN, refreshments will be served

WALKING TOUR, HISTORICAL ROUTE SOFIA, WOMEN’S MARKET

It tells about Bulgarian General, Minister of Justice, Sofia Mayor, old Jewish families, and many other unknown historical heroes of Sofia. All this is happening in front of houses, built in the beginning of 20th century, or some of the most impressive buildings in the Bulgarian capital, such as Central Halls and Central Mineral Bath, Sveta Nedelia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque and the Synagogue. Along the route you will find out:

- what is the reason behind the name Women’s Market;

- what was the Women’s Market looking like in 1918;

- what is the common between Eagle’s Bridge and Lion’s Bridge;

- where was the Arie Brothers’ Perfume Factory and the Peevi Brothers’ Chocolate Workshop;

- who was the architect of the Central Halls, where was his studio and where he lived;

- what Maria Louisa Boulevard looked like before the air raids on Sofia during World War II and before the construction of the Largo Complex.

It starts from the Lion’s Bridge and is about 2,5 hours but of course it can be shortened depending on the weather. Here you can find the map (it is in Bulgarian)https://historicalroutes.bg/map-jenski/

Date & Time: Wednesday, the 13th of November, at 10 am Duration: Aprox. 2,5 hours Meeting Point: Lion Bridge Fee: 15 BGN for Min. 6 participants

GREEK COOKING DEMO WITH EFI MOUCHOU Menu:- Flumenty soup with feta (Trahana)- Stuffed onions with grounded beef and

cumin- Hommade chicken gyros with pita and

tzatziki- Pasta flora (jam tart) and grape must

pudding (moustalevria)

Place: Sequoia Events Adress: 5, Sasha Popov, BoyanaDate & Time: Thursday, the 14th of November, at 11:30 amFee: 40 BGN per person, including a glass of wine, tea and coffee.

MONTHLY LUNCH IN HADJIDRAGANOV’S HOUSES RESTAURANT

Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant offers Bulgarian national cuisine on fire, on a hot plate and in an oven. The restaurant is in the center of Sofia consisted of four restored houses from 1866 year representing architecture

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NOVEMBERMON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

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10:30 - “EBRU” MARBLING 10:30 - Open Discussion

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10:00 - Walking Tour

11:30 - Greek Cooking Demo

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12:30 - Monthly Lunch

10:30 - Painting Workshop

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and style from beautiful Bulgarian towns Koprivshtitsa, Zheravna, Melnik and Bansko, combined with a joint yard and a beautiful summer garden.

They offer extensive menu with Bulgarian recipes and wines. In the evenings there is live folklore music.

Place: Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant Adress: 75, Kozloduy Street (near Ramada hotel and Lions’s bridge) - Sofia. Walking distance from a metro station Lion’s Bridge (Laov most)Date & Time: Thursday, the 21st of November, at 12:30

PAINTING WORKSHOP FUNDRAISER EVENTDear Friends, The Dominican Republic Stall

for the IWC-Charity Bazaar 2019 , sponsored by Sequoia Events, invites you and your friends to join a morning full of creativity and festive mood. During this event you will learn how to paint, step by step, a winter scenery on a wooden tray that you can take home with you to offer your guests refreshments

on a very distinctive way!. The Christmas Holidays are fast approaching and the beautiful tray makes a perfect personalize gift for teachers, friends or relatives. Your contribution will proceed to help support the multiple charitable projects supported by IWC’s Charity Foundation. “Giving is not about making a donation, It’s about making a difference” -Kathy Clavin- Help us to help others!

Date: Sat. Nov 23th, 2019Time: 10:30 amVenue: Sequoia EventsCost: 60BGNThe Workshop Includes:

• Wooden Tray 34 x 24 CM• Brushes• Acrylic paint• Expoxy Resin (to seal your artwork forever)• Complimentary RefreshmentsYou can reserve your spot by contacting

Fatma Senem Ustun at:fsustun@gmail.com+359 88 9103323

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