Vasilitsa 2024 – a bridge between traditions, children and institutions

For the fifteenth year, hundreds of students, educational mediators and teachers from over 30 schools from all over the country traveled to Sofia to participate in the “Let’s rebuild the bridges between us” campaign, which the Amalipe Center organized on the occasion of the Roma Calendar Feast Vasilitsa. They were welcomed by the Prime Minister Academician Denkov, the Vice President Iliana Yotova, the Ministers of Education, Culture, Social policy, Defense, Internal affairs, Foreign Affairs, Members of Parliament, a number of other national institutions. Events were also hosted by ambassadors of the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, USA, Poland, India, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Belgium.

The schools recreated for the hosts the richness of the Vasilica feast, celebrated by many Roma as the beginning of the new year, its rituals and symbols, as well as the messages behind them. Specifically:

  • the Roma in Bulgaria are an ethnic community with their own culture and tradition, which are part of the national cultural treasury;
  • today’s Roma youth value education and, at the same time, their traditions and identity;
  • intercultural education should be an integral part of the education system, one of its main pillars;
  • Educational mediators are one of the key factors for full coverage, enhanced work with parents and connection between the school and the Roma community.

The students recreated the legends behind the Vasilitsa holiday and especially the legend of the bridge, wishing the hosts to build bridges between countries and citizens. In addition, they made specific requests to national institutions for better policies to support the efforts of schools, teachers and educational mediators, reiterating some of the most pressing issues:

  • The position of the educational mediator should receive full support and be institutionalized through: recognition of the profession “educational mediator” to be included in the list of professions with qualifications and training; the Ministry of Education should recognize the Network of Educational Mediators and include it in the advisory process in school education; to introduce a way of financing educational mediators and in schools without concentration of vulnerable groups; to increase the salaries of educational mediators;
  • The reform of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues, so that this structure has real powers and ensures the participation of civil society;
  • The regime of state aid, which inexplicably continues to be applied to the work of non-governmental organizations with vulnerable groups, deprives working organizations of the opportunity for real participation;
  • The need for the Ministry of Culture to support the activities of Roma community centers and centers that work to preserve Roma culture and identity.

 

11th January:

The Prime Minister Academician Denkov received students from Traiko Simeonov Secondary School – Shumen, as well as Deyan Kolev and Teodora Krumova from the Amalipe Center at the Council of Ministers on January 11. “Educational, health and social mediators are a pillar, support and driver of the changes that are needed in schools that we are trying to move and in which children get even better opportunities for development,” said Academician Denkov. He emphasized that the government will continue and strengthen support for educational mediators and for changing the public attitudes towards Roma and thanked the Amalipe Center and the schools working in partnership.

The Prime Minister Academician Denkov invited the guests to his office to share how the school process is progressing at Traiko Simeonov Secondary School. During the meeting, it became clear that only 10 years ago it was on the verge of closure, but after taking over its management in January 2014, the director Galina Sakarova and her team managed to transform it. With the projects and activities related to the learning process, the care of each child, the participation in the national programs of the Ministry of Education and Science, among them clubs under the national program “Together in the Arts and in Sports”, the leadership changes the learning environment in the school in Shumen and this is one of the good examples in our education system. The school has succeeded in halting the process of “secondary segregation” and, for 3 years, even returning majority students to classrooms that are already ethnically mixed. Deyan Kolev and Teodora Krumova presented the results from the report “Speech containing insults, prejudice and hatred compared to the Roma in the social Facebook media” carried out within COACH project.

At the Ministry of Education and Science in order to celebrate the ethno-cultural holiday “Vasilitsa” and award the educational mediator of the year. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov – Minister of Education and Science, Deputy Ministers Emilia Lazarova, Marieta Georgieva, the head of the minister’s office Natalia Mihalevska, the director of the Inclusive Education Directorate Greta Gancheva, the director of COIDUEM Lalo Kamenov, as well as and the representatives of the Bulgarian-Swiss cooperation program Thomas Stauffer and Temenuzka Kutevski.

After the award ceremony, students from “Hristo Smirnenski” Secondary School, Gulyantsi, presented traditional customs related to the celebration of the Roma New Year. By performing the song “Jhelem, Jhelem” and presenting a traditional Roma dance, the students shared their culture with the management and experts from the Ministry of Education and Science. They ended their presentation by survaking all those present at the ceremony, enriching the exchange of traditions and customs between the communities.

12th January:
Vice President Iliana Yotova for another year received students on the occasion of Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year. The students from “Hristo Botev” Primary School in the town of Maglizh recreated the ritual to welcome the Roma New Year! “We perceive your attention as sympathy not only with the work of the school, of the Center for Inter-Ethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe”, but also as support for the overall process of Roma integration!” said the representative of the Amalipe Center Neli Nikolova in her address.

The Members of Parliament from the Commission on Education and Science received students from PGHHT – Pazardzhik in the National Assembly. The young people presented the Romani legends related to Vasilica. The school’s brass band then dazzled the MPs with a virtuoso performance of jazz and other genres.

The chairman of the commission, Krasimir Valchev, thanked the school for being able to integrate students from the entire district and fighting to prevent dropouts, despite the difficult social situation of many of the families. He thanked also the whole school team (students, parents, and teachers) for showing another face of the Roma community at the place of the highest political level and thus breaking a lot of stereotypes He also thanked the Amalipe Center for its constant efforts in the field of education. In response to Deyan Kolev’s words, he undertook to include in the Preschool and School Education Law texts that promote educational desegregation. Deyan Kolev, in turn, underlined how important such events are because they are one of the most efficient tools to find the huge rate of hate speech in society referring to the report released by Amalipe with COACH project.

The day also began with the participation of students from the Professional High School for Agricultural Mechanization, Septemvri, and Regional Pedagogical Coordinator Silvia Stancheva took part in the program “100 percent awake” on Bulgarian National Television. Despite the huge excitement of performing live on national television, the band’s performance was wonderful. Hosts, directors, voice actors, everyone was fascinated by the wonderful performance and learned a lot about the traditions of Bango Vasil. The show reached a large number of viewers. YouTube views are steadily increasing. See here

HE Rob Dixon once again welcomed survakars to the British Embassy. The students from “Ivan Vazov” Primary School, Simeonovgrad, filled the institution’s office with smiles, colorful dresses, beauty and music. Within the framework of the event organized by the Amalipe Center, the students presented traditional dances, told the legend of Bango Vasil and greeted the ambassador and the staff of the Embassy with wishes for health and success.

During the event, Denitsa Ivanova – representative of Center Amalipe, discussed with Ambassador Rob Dixon Center Amalipe’s initiative for student ombudsmen, as the next step in empowering students. She expressed her gratitude for the Embassy’s support and active participation in the initiatives aimed at educational integration and the prevention of Roma children dropping out of school in Bulgaria.

The Embassy thanked for the cooperation regarding their “Ambassador for a Day” initiative. Ambassador Dixon sadly shared that this year is his last in Bulgaria, and despite the limitation in the amount of luggage he will be able to bring home, he will necessarily take with him the bag given to him by the students from Simeonovgrad.

The event at the British Embassy was another step towards closer cooperation between the Amalipe Center and the diplomatic community, creating opportunities for the development and integration of young people.

Source: British Embassy in Bulgaria

Source: British Embassy in Bulgaria

Source: British Embassy in Bulgaria

H.E. Marten and almost the entire staff of the US Embassy accepted the greetings of the students of the Elisaveta Bagryana Vocational High School for Clothing – Byala Slatina and their director Galya Yahova. The young people recreated the Romani legends and customs about Vasilica. They talked about the activities of the school, the youth group for tolerance and civic participation, thanking the US Embassy for the warm welcome.

Ambassador Merten congratulated the students and thanked the Amalipe Center for the long-term partnership. He pointed out that the US Embassy has always supported Roma integration efforts because they are a necessary part of Bulgaria’s development efforts.

Source: US Embassy

Source: US Embassy

Source: Ministry of Defence

Students from the Vocational High School for Textiles and Clothing “Dobri Zhelyazkov”, Sliven, visited the Ministry of Defense, where they were warmly welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov. The representatives of the high school presented to their hosts some of the traditions related to the Roma holiday “Vasilitsa” and greeted them with wishes for health and success. Deputy Minister Zapryanov congratulated the students, encouraging them to study hard, as their future realization as citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria depends on their studies.

The celebration was also attended by the head of the political cabinet, Dobromir Totev, and the director of the Social Activities and Military-Patriotic Education Directorate, Dimitar Iliev. High school students had the opportunity to explore the Ministry of Defense building and learn about its remarkable history.

Children from Primary School “N. Y. Vaptsarov, Selanovtsi congratulated the Embassy of Denmark in Bulgaria by presenting the Bango Vasil custom. They called for health and congratulated the embassy team with wishes for much success and health.

The Embassy of India in Bulgaria also opened its doors for students from the “Hristo Botev” United School, Stamboliyski, who showed the traditions characteristic of Vasilica, sent their greetings and wishes. With songs, dances and smiles, the students introduced the Ambassador HE Sanjay Rana to Roma culture and customs.

The representative office of the World Bank in Bulgaria received students from “Geo Milev” Elementary School, Belozem village, who showed traditional dances, as well as the ever-present fortune pie.

Source: Representation of the World Bank in Bulgaria

Source: Representation of the World Bank in Bulgaria

Children from the “Graf Ignatiev” Primary School in Graf Ignatievo presented the “Legend of Vasilitsa” – the Roma New Year – on the Bulgarian National Radio. In front of the First Studio of the Bulgarian National Radio, a children’s noise was heard, and the students performed a short dramatization, telling the legend of the Bango Vasil holiday. The space was enlivened by dances of different ethnic groups and “gypsy romance”, and ended with greetings from survacar girls to those working in the public media, expressed through traditional nicknames for the holiday.

Source: Bulgarian National Radio

Source: Bulgarian National Radio

Source: Bulgarian National Radio

Source: Bulgarian National Radio

The Embassy of Austria in Bulgaria welcomed the students of the United School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Devene, who presented the legend of Bango Vasil, Survakar nicknames and dance.

The students from the Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, the city of Ihtiman visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the children showed their talents – songs, poems and singing. The hosts, in the person of the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mrs. Elena Shekerletova and other officials were fascinated by the magic and beauty of Roma traditions.

 Pupils from 124 Primary School, Sofia visited the Regional Department of Education – Sofia city, where they greeted the Principal Vanya Kastreva with wishes for health and prosperity. Zhanna Vasileva from Amalipe Center expressed a message to the employees of the Sofia Regional Department of Education for fruitful cooperation and wished everyone a peaceful, healthy and successful year.

As part of the Amalipe Center’s initiative, students from the Vocational High School for Textiles and Clothing “Dobri Zhelyazkov”, Sliven, visited the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. “Mramorna” hall became the scene of an artistic presentation of the traditional celebration of Vasilitsa in a family environment. The students, each in their role, immersed the attendees in the atmosphere and emotions they grew up with. Pie, name-calling, survaka, wishes and songs brought smiles to the faces of the team of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.

Denitsa Ivanova, a member of the Amalipe Center team, presented the organization’s new initiative for a student ombudsman and introduced the attendees to the ombudsman of the Professional High School of Textiles and Clothing in Sliven – Atanas Atanasov. She shared about the upcoming conference and training of ombudsmen planned by the Amalipe Center and suggested that the ministers get involved in this important process. On the other hand, the educational mediator from the village of Pobeda Mira Stefanova exchanged information with the Ministry’s team about the problems of young girls from vulnerable groups, and specifically the still occurring “early marriages”, and strongly suggested that the institutions take more serious measures to deal with with this social problem.

In the course of the event, Deputy Minister Ginka Mashova expressed recognition to the representatives of “Amalipe” for their activity in the field of preventing Roma children from dropping out of school. She emphasized the importance of this contribution to the chances of these children to find quality education and subsequent successful professional realization. In their congratulations, Deputy Ministers Elka Nalbantova and Nikolay Naydenov expressed wishes for health, joy and success to the students who have devoted themselves to studying at the Vocational High School for Textiles and Clothing “Dobri Zhelyazkov”. The professional school, which celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2023, is established as the first textile school in the Balkans.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy

 The Ambassador of France to Bulgaria, Joel Meyer, received students from the “St. Kliment Ohridski” Secondary School, Simeonovgrad, who shared their traditions, and in response, he presented them with the traditional French “bread of the wise men” (galette de rois), which with great pleasure the children tried.

Source: Embassy of France

Source: Embassy of France

 The representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria opened its doors to the students of the “Vasil Levski” Primary School, Karadjovo on the eve of the Roma New Year. Dressed in colorful and traditional clothes for the Roma community, the children presented the traditional customs and nicknames associated with Bango Vasil, were treated to a delicious fortune pie and chanted for health, prosperity and success.

Source: Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria

Source: Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria

Source: Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria

Source: Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria

 On the occasion of Vasilitsa, the Roma New Year, the deputy head of the mission of the Embassy of Belgium in Sofia had the pleasure of welcoming a group of students from “Hristo Botev” Primary School, Gabare, who presented their best. wishes to the members of the embassy.

Source: Embassy of Belgium

Source: Embassy of Belgium

Source: Embassy of Belgium

Dressed in traditional Roma costumes, students from “Hristo G. Danov” Elementary School, Rozino visited the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bulgaria on the occasion of Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year. The children presented traditional dances and the survakan, and with their congratulations they wished the ambassador and the officials health, success and prosperity.

Source: Embassy of the Netherlands

Source: Embassy of the Netherlands

Source: Embassy of the Netherlands

The Ambassador of Ireland to Bulgaria, Her Excellency Ms. Martina Feeney, welcomed the students from “Hristaki Pavlovich” Primary School, Dupnitsa, who presented the custom of Bango Vasil, danced and wished for health and prosperity. The ambassador shared that every year he welcomes students from the “Amalipe” network of schools – “Every student will be a winner” and is happy with the energy and creativity of the students.

Source: Embassy of Ireland

Source: Embassy of Ireland

 The Regional Pedagogical Coordinator of the “Amalipe” Center Silvia Stancheva accompanied a group of students from the Secondary School “G. Stoykov Rakovski”, town of Kotel, who were special guests of the Embassy of Poland in Bulgaria. The Survakars and their director Mr. Stefan Dondev were warmly welcomed by Zam. the ambassador and the entire Embassy team. The students recreated the traditions for Bango Vasil, prayed for health and prosperity and sent their wishes. We have the promise from the Embassy that their doors are always open to us.

 The Commission for Protection from Discrimination was visited by survakarchetta, students from “Hristo Botev” Elementary School, Gradina village, Plovdiv Region. The occasion was the celebration of Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year, and the initiative was the Center for Inter-Ethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe”. On behalf of the Commission, Prof. Dr. Baki Huseinov – Deputy Chairman of the CPD, Zlatina Dukova, Prof. Dr. Nadezhda Yonkova, as well as representatives of the administration were present. The children were accompanied by Penka Petkova – director of the school, and Dimitrinka Alexandrova – teacher. The representatives of “Amalipe” were led by Valeri Angelov. The children presented songs and dances dedicated to the Bango Vasil holiday, and then greeted the attendees with wishes for health, success and prosperity.

Children from “Hristo Botev” Primary School, Gradina village, Plovdiv region, visited TSOIDUEM. The occasion was the celebration of Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year, and the initiative was the Center for Inter-Ethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe”. Dr. Lalo Kamenov expressed his congratulations to the “Amlipe” Center and the school, that for another year there are survakars as guests at the New Year’s party. The children presented songs and dances dedicated to the Bango Vasil holiday, and then greeted the attendees with wishes for health, success and prosperity.

The national publishing house “Az-buki” warmly welcomed the students from the Primary School “Geo Milev” in the village of Belozem, who showed artistry in the presentation of the Vasilitsa holiday.

Executive Agency “Education Program” was visited by a group of students from “Hristo Botev” Secondary School, Gabare, who served traditional dishes prepared by the students, danced and cheered the institution’s team.

Students from Hristo Botev Primary School, Batanovtsi village, made an incredibly attractive presentation on the occasion of the celebration of the Vasilitsa, at the Hungarian Cultural Institute, where they were warmly welcomed by the director Sandra Mishkezi and the employees of the institute. The students congratulated the holiday, congratulated the hosts and wished them health and prosperity in the new year. The hosts distributed gifts to the school and the children. Zhanna Vasileva from the “Amalipe” Center expressed the messages on behalf of Amalipe, that we must continue to build bridges between countries, peoples and cultures, because at the base of all cultures are the same values – kindness, love and friendship.

For health, prosperity and success in the priceless mission carried out by the UNICEF Foundation – to help children in Bulgaria and around the world, the students from “Nayden Gerov” Primary School, Gavrailovo za Vasilitsa, said.

The students from the Vocational High School of Chemical and Food Technologies, Pazardzhik, surprised the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a fortune pie, handmade gifts and good music.

 

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs

 The students of the Vocational High School “Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi”, town of Karlovo and Primary School “Graf Ignatiev”, village of Graf Ignatievo visited the office of the Trust for a Social Achievement in the city of Sofia and met with representatives of the organization, who very happily received the students , and the children showed traditional dances and customs for the holiday.

Source: Trust for a Social Achievement

Source: Trust for a Social Achievement

Source: Trust for a Social Achievement

Students from “Hristo Smirnenski” Secondary School, Koinare, visited the Ministry of Culture, where they congratulated Minister Krastyu Krastev on the eve of the Roma New Year – Vasilitsa. Minister Krastev received 2nd grade students from “Hristo Smirnenski” Secondary School in the Department of Culture. They were accompanied by the director of the school Daniela Tsonivska and their teachers Stella Stefanova, Ioana Banova and Bistra Banova, as well as Silvia Stancheva, regional pedagogical coordinator of the Amalipe Center. The children greeted Minister Krastev and Deputy Minister Amelia Gesheva and wished them and the team of the Ministry of Culture health, well-being and prosperity in the New Year. They performed a special dance, and then talked with Minister Krastev. They shared their love for the folklore of the different ethnic groups in our country, how they study, what their favorite subjects are, what they dream about. Minister Krastev wanted to visit the school and meet everyone from this wonderful educational institution.

Source: Ministry of Culture

Source: Ministry of Culture

 

The students of the “Geo Milev” Primary School in the village of Belozem visited the Union of Bulgarian Teachers in the city of Sofia. The chairman of Mrs. Yanka Takeva welcomed them warmly, and the children showed their artistic talents with great desire and enthusiasm.

 

January 15:

Pupils from the “Neofit Rilski” United School, Samokov city, visited deputy ombudsman Elena Cherneva, Eva Zhecheva and the whole team for their health and well-being. They called for health, success, peace and well-being in Bulgarian and Romani languages: “May there be light in your eyes, may there be sunshine on your path, may your forehead be raised, may your word weigh, may there be fire in your hearth , may your tears be of joy, may there be peace in your sleep, may your love be shared, may there be wisdom in your choice, may your root be healthy, may your children come! For many years!”

The director of the Agency for Social Assistance Vanya Taneva and the entire team very warmly welcomed students from the “Neofit Rilski” United School, Samokov, who wished them health, many successes, peace and prosperity. Doctor Taneva invited students to his office, where they had the opportunity to sit in the chair of the director of the Social Assistance Agency and share their dreams.