January 21, 2025February 13, 2025

Vasilitsa 2025 – Bridges between students and institutions

For the 16th consecutive year, the Amalipe Center organized the campaign on the occasion of Vasilitsa “Let’s rebuild the bridges between us”. On January 14 and 15, 2025, hundreds of students, teachers, mediators and directors traveled to Sofia to visit various state institutions, non-governmental organizations and embassies. And the award ceremony for the Mediator of the Year competition was held at the Ministry of Education and Science.

The students told various Roma legends, showed traditional Roma dances and recreated the customs associated with Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year. They sent their hosts the clear messages that:

the Roma are a large ethnic community in Bulgaria with their own culture and customs.
Today’s Roma youth are active citizens who value their traditions, but also their education.
Intercultural education is an important part of our education system and it only needs to be improved
Today’s active youth, of all ethnic backgrounds, are democratically minded and want to live in a fair country without discrimination
Mediators are an important part of the education system and are a key factor in the integration of minority groups
Non-governmental organizations are an important part of our democratic system. They are a desired partner of schools. And that is why the pressure on them and the attempts to declare themselves as “foreign agents” must be stopped.

January 13

Maritsa newspaper, Plovdiv

On January 13, 2025, the editorial office of Maritsa newspaper, Plovdiv, was visited by survakars from Vasil Levski Primary School, Karadjovo village, on the occasion of Vasilitsa’s celebration. Dressed in traditional costumes, the students solemnly entered with smiles on their faces. In front of the newspaper team, the students performed a traditional song and presented their wishes for health, prosperity and success in the form of survakan. Elitsa Kandeva, Education Department, asked the guests to share what they want to be when they grow up. She received a wise answer: “We don’t know, because life often has its own plans for that.”

January 14

Center for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities

Students from the Secondary School “Vasil Levski” in the town of Yablanitsa visited the institution and had the opportunity to meet with the team of the Center for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities. The children were welcomed by the director of the Center for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities – Mr. Lalo Kamenov. They began their presentation with a short greeting. Their program continued with a performance of the song “Vasilitsa” and a dance “Pastra kitka”. They ended with a Survakar blessing.

THE AUSTRIAN EMBASSY IN BULGARIA

The students from the PGSS “Prof. Ivan Ivanov” in the town of Dolni Dubnik and the Primary school “Hr. Botev” in the village of Rakovitsa were welcomed at the Residence of the Ambassador of Austria to Bulgaria personally by H.E. Mrs. Andrea Ikic-Böhm. The students played, danced and created a festive atmosphere, which was complemented by a traditional “pita” bread, which they presented to the ambassador and her team. Finally, everyone was blessed with health and prosperity.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The students from the “Aleko Konstantinov” Primary School in the town of Mezdra visited one of the largest European institutions in Bulgaria. They recreated basic Roma traditions, presented characteristic dishes from Vasilitsa’s table, specific names for Bango Vasil and traditional Roma songs. The European Commission thanked them for the visit and sent them off with a message to be active and creative and to continue presenting Roma culture in Bulgaria and Europe.

PRESIDENCY

The Presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria once again hosted the initiative and was part of the institutions that agreed to share common wishes for health, peace and luck in the new year together with the students from the “Hristo Smirnenski” Secondary School, Koynare. The students were welcomed by the Chief of Staff of the Head of State, Galab Donev, and the President’s Administration.

In his welcome speech, Galab Donev expressed gratitude for the folklore greeting presented by the students for the holiday. “This shows that you deeply value and preserve the Roma traditions, which are part of the great cultural heritage of our country,” he said. He wished the graduates of the Secondary School “Hristo Smirnenski” to be healthy, to continue studying, to be successful in their endeavors and to be happy and proud children of Mother Bulgaria. Galab Donev also highlighted the importance of the work of the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” for the development of education and the inclusion of children from the Roma community, as well as the role of teachers in the Bulgarian education system, for the incredible care they take to help children educate themselves and build themselves as worthy citizens. For her part, Teodora Krumova thanked the institutions of the President and the Vice President for continuing to support the efforts of the Amalipe Center to ensure that every child gets a chance for a quality education and the opportunity to dream. She appealed to the Presidency to send a categorical message that it is unacceptable in a European and democratic Bulgaria to adopt undemocratic laws such as the Foreign Agents Registration Law introduced in this Parliament and that this would stop both organizations such as the Amalipe Center and the schools from achieving the best for the children they work with.
Daniela Tsonovska, director of the Hristo Smirnenski Secondary School, which this year celebrates 160 years since its establishment, presented Galab Donev with a booklet with the history of Koynare, which was compiled by students from the school, with the support of a history teacher. She also invited the President to the school’s anniversary, which will be celebrated in May.

EMBASSY OF THE NETHERLANDS IN BULGARIA

Students from the N. Y. Vaptsarov School in the village of Selanovtsi, dressed in colorful folk costumes, filled the Embassy of the Netherlands with the spirit of Roma culture on the occasion of Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year. With their dances and traditional names, they sent heartfelt wishes for health, success and abundance to Ambassador Simon van der Burgh and his team. The Ambassador greeted the children with a smile, wishing them health and success, emphasizing how important these meetings are for mutual understanding and tolerance.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY “EDUCATION PROGRAM”

For another year, the team of the Executive agency Education Program was visited on the occasion of Vasilitsa – the Roma New Year. On January 14, 2025, the EAEP welcomed students from the Innovative Unified School “Neofit Rilski”, Samokov. The children presented the legend of Bango Vasil and the tradition of welcoming the Roma New Year, when everyone comes together with new hopes and gratitude. The Executive Director of the Education Program, Prof. Georgi Vaisilov, wished the children a healthy, successful and happy new year. He thanked the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” for the fruitful cooperation in the Monitoring Committee of the Education Program. The Innovative Unified School “Neofit Rilski”, Samokov, participated in the project “Success for You”, funded under the Education Program 2021-2027.

BULGARIAN TEACHERS’ UNION

Students from the “Elisaveta Bagryana” Primary School in Byala Slatina visited the BULGARIAN TEACHERS’ UNION. They presented the interesting Roma traditions and customs associated with Vasilitsa. They performed a performance through which they told the legends associated with the holiday and ended with a performance of a traditional Roma dance.

THE EMBASSY OF INDIA IN BULGARIA

Students from the “Hristo Botev” Primary School in Batanovtsi visited the Indian Embassy to remind us of the Indian roots of the Roma. They presented traditional dances, songs and music to drive away evil spirits and attract luck and health.

EMBASSY OF POLAND IN BULGARIA

Students from the “G.S. Rakovski” Secondary School in Kotel visited the Embassy of Poland, together with the school principal, a teacher and representatives of the Amalipe Center Katya Dimitrova and Todor Vankov. Deputy Ambassador Anna Janiusevska-Fronczek delivered a welcoming speech, after which the school principal presented the institution entrusted to him to the hosts. The representatives of the Amalipe Center told a legend about Vasilisa and thanked the hosts for their support and reminded of the difficult situation for NGOs, given the threat of the Foreign Agents Act. In the main part of the program, the children performed a traditional Roma ritual to welcome the Vasilisa holiday, then, accompanied by musical instruments, they greeted the hosts, wished them health and finally everyone danced together. The hosts had prepared a treat and gifts for the guests.

MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL POLICY

At the MLSP, students from the Hristo Botev Primary School, Chomakovtsi village were welcomed by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ivaylo Ivanov, Deputy Ministers Natalia Efremova and Lazar Lazarov, and the Head of the Human Resources Development Program Tsvetan Spasov. Dressed in Roma and Bulgarian costumes, they told about the Vasilitsa holiday in their village and laid the foundations of the bridges between the institution and the school. For the finale, the boys performed tradition of “survakane” in Roma and Bulgarian, for which they were rewarded by the hosts. Deyan Kolev from the Amalipe Center thanked for the warm welcome, told the legend associated with Vasilitsa and expressed gratitude for the joint work of Amalipe and the MLSP over the years, and the Minister expressed confidence that this work and support will continue in the future.

COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

At the CPD, the students met with Prof. Dr. Baki Hyuseinov – Deputy Chairman of the Commission, who emphasized the importance of cultural diversity and equality. The guest school there was the Vocational High School of Agriculture “Geo Milev”, Maglizh. “Traditions unite us and inspire us to continue working for understanding and respect between people. I am grateful for the warm welcome and the wonderful atmosphere that the students and their teachers created!” said Prof. Dr. Hyuseinov.

AZ-BUKI

The children from the Primary School “Kapitan Petar Parmakov” in the village of Gradets were warmly welcomed by the publishing house “Az-Buki”. Dressed in traditional Roma costumes, the students recreated the custom of caroling and performed the song “Vasilitsa”. The little guests brought home-made cakes and survachki for their hosts. Their program ended with tradition of “survakane” for the editorial team.

PROSVETA PUBLISHING HOUSE

The talented and curious students from the “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” Primary School, Malorad village, visited the publishing house. They presented a play, with which they showed the setting of the festive table and the welcoming of the carolers. The editor-in-chief of “Prosveta” – Kina Andreeva, welcomed the little guests and showed them how the primer is created, and the children shared with the entire team what they want to be when they grow up. The visit ended with a bagpipe performance by the student Yulian Karagyozov, a student majoring in “Music” at the Plovdiv University “Paisiy Hilendarski”, supported by a scholarship from the “I Want to Learn” fund, donated by “Prosveta”.

EMBASSY OF SPAIN IN BULGARIA

At the Spanish Embassy, students from the Primary School “St. Cyril and Methodius”, Devene village, performed a reenactment of the holiday Bango Vasil based on stories told by parents and children from the villages of Devene, Tri Kladentsi and Chiren. The students also presented their traditional Christmas carols.

EMBASSY OF SWISS IN BULGARIA

Students from the Secondary School “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Simeonovgrad town had the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador of Switzerland, His Excellency Raimund Furer. The young people danced for the representatives of the embassy and then performed a traditional Roma dance. The Embassy team wished all Roma a bright and successful New Year.

TRUST FOR SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENT

On January 14, 2025, students from the primary schools “G. S. Rakovski” in Tarnak and “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” in Kovachitsa visited the Trust for Social Achievment Foundation as part of the festive events dedicated to the tradition of Vasilitsa. This event, related to social responsibility and the preservation of Roma customs, provided the students with the opportunity to present the meaning of the holiday, as well as the importance of social integration and support for various social groups.

HUNGARIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE

The students from the “Hristo Botev” Unified School, Stamboliyski, who visited the Hungarian Cultural Institute, told the legends associated with Vasilitsa, including the one associated with the bridge. They wished the hosts health and prosperity and performed a traditional Roma dance and a Roma song for the holiday.

BULGARIAN CENTER FOR NON-COMMERCIAL LAW

A group from Secondary school “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Suhindol visited the Bulgarian Center for Non-Commercial Law. The children were visiting the capital for the first time and were amazed. They were dressed in folk costumes. They were accompanied by the school’s educational mediator and teacher, as well as the representative of Amalipe Todor Vankov. The teacher introduced the school to the hosts, after which the representative of Amalipe thanked them for the partnership and invited them to the “Open Heart” festival in June of this year. The students danced for the health of the hosts in Romani and the children, accompanied by a drum, performed several traditional folk songs. At the end, the hosts also joined the dance and distributed gifts to the guests.

WORLD BANK

Students from the “Hristo Botev” Primary School, Maglizh visited the office of the World Bank Representative Office in Sofia, where they greeted the institution’s employees with a dance and danced for the health, luck and prosperity of its management. They told who Bango Vasil is and introduced themselves in English, which impressed everyone. Irina Asenova (regional coordinator at the Amalipe Center) thanked for the hospitality and good cooperation on behalf of the Amalipe Center. She expressed her delight at the session conducted by World Bank experts during the Leadership Academy in November 2024 and how they ignited the students’ desire to develop in a new and different direction

THE EMBASSY OF DENMARK IN BULGARIA

Children from two schools – PG “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” from Dimitrovgrad and Primary school “Vasil Levski” from Lesura visited the Embassy on the occasion of the Vasilitsa holiday – the Roma New Year. The students read poems, danced a “gypsy” dance and handed out survaknitsi (wooden sticks), made especially for the occasion, with which they first survakked to wish for health and luck in the new year. The guests received gifts and tried various Danish sweets. The Embassy team expressed its immense gratitude for the visit and the good mood.

EMBASSY OF IRELAND IN BULGARIA

Students from the “Hristo Smirnenski” Secondary School in the town of Gulyantsi, dressed in colorful traditional Roma costumes, brought the spirit of Roma culture to the residence of the Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria. Warmly welcomed by H.E. Catherine Bannon, the children participated in a casual discussion, and a special moment of the visit was the performance of the iconic “Dzhelem, dzhelem” and “Sae Roma” by the talented Letizia. Excited and inspired, the students sent their wishes for health and wished a successful and blessed year.

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

The youth from the “Vasil Levski” Primary School in the village of Karadjovo visited the Ministry of Defense. They presented a performance of tarambuki and the song “Ushti, ushti, dade”. They showed some of the customs that their community observes for the holiday and entertained representatives of the ministry. The guests concluded their program by distributing delicious banitsa with good luck.

BRITISH EMBASSY IN BULGARIA

Primary School “St. Cyril and Methodius”, Malorad visited the British Embassy in Bulgaria, where they were welcomed by the Ambassador who took office a few months ago, H.E. Mr. Nathaniel Copsey. The students presented a play, showing the traditions of the holiday, what the festive meal is like and how the carolers are welcomed. The children entertained the entire Embassy team and were very happy that the Ambassador spoke to them in Bulgarian.

UNICEF

On January 14, 2025, students from the Elementary school “Eng. Georgi Ivanov Valkov” in Lukovit visited the UNICEF office in Bulgaria to celebrate the traditional Roma holiday Vasilitsa. This event was part of the initiatives of the “Amalipe” Center for the active participation of students in global causes. The graduates of the “Eng. Georgi Ivanov Valkov” Elementary school shared the festive atmosphere of Vasilitsa, filled with songs, dances and wishes for health and happiness, which showed that despite the differences, all children in the world deserve love and attention. This event strengthened the cooperation between the school and UNICEF and gave the students the opportunity to become part of the global network for the protection and support of children’s rights.

THE EMBASSY OF BELGIUM IN BULGARIA

The students from “Geo Milev” Primary School were welcomed by the Ambassador of Belgium to Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Paul Lambert with great excitement. The Embassy welcomes students to Vasilitsa for another year and every time does so with great joy and impatience. The diversity and mood that the students brought to the hosts encouraged and delighted them. The re-creation of the holiday with all the traditional activities and dishes immersed them in the comfort of the Roma house. Just as the owner traditionally breaks the pie for his family, so His Excellency was invited to do so with his colleagues. We also received lucky charms for the new year and were blessed with health and prosperity. The Ambassador thanked the Amalipe Center for the visit and wished the students continued good cooperation over the years, and to study English and French hard and why not work at the embassy.

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN BULGARIA

For the ethno-cultural holiday Vasilitsa in front of H.E. Kenneth Merten – US Ambassador to Bulgaria and the entire Embassy, students from the Vocational High School of Textiles and Clothing “Dobri Zhelyazkov” in Sliven had the opportunity to present a traditional festive evening. The representative performance showed the richness of the Roma culture, traditions and customs associated with the holiday, which is part of the cultural heritage of the community. Ambassador Merten and part of our team enjoyed the incredible performance of the students. Their energy and talent brought the festive spirit, showing the rich traditions of the Roma community.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Part of the Vasilitsa celebrations in Sofia was the now traditional awarding of “Mediator of the Year”, which Amalipe Center organized together with the Ministry of Education and Science. The main messages delivered during the ceremony, the awardees and more information about it can be found HERE.

January 15

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

A day later, on January 15, we also organized an event in the National Assembly. It was hosted by the former Ministers of Education, Academician Nikolay Denkov and Krasimir Valchev (the latter was re-elected Minister of Education a day later). They were greeted by the students of the “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” Primary School – Ihtiman. The Chairman of the Amalipe Center, Deyan Kolev, sent a message to the MPs for targeted actions to accelerate Roma integration policies, as well as to create a favorable environment for the work of non-governmental organizations and their partnership with schools. Despite the tense political day (at the same time, the President was handing over a mandate to form a new government, and the National Assembly was voting on key laws), the event was attended by over 15 MPs from different political forces. For more information, see HERE.

We thank all the institutions that welcomed students for the Vasilitsa holiday and all the schools that became part of the events dedicated to the Roma New Year for another year!

The campaign “Let’s rebuild the bridges between us” was implemented within the framework of the project “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance”, which is implemented with the support of the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria.