RESULTS FROM THE WORK ON THE PROGRAMMES DURING 2004

Total donated sum - 21 595 lv.

PROGRAM “THE TALENTED CHILDREN OF ROUSSE” - 2 940 lv.

ART

Mihaela Dimova – 7th grade, “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School – Rousse, Classical Ballet class. Mihaela has a number of participations in school and Rousse Opera performances. She has done a master class within the programme of the International Ballet Academy – Varna, under the guidance of Prof. Kalina Bogoeva. The Foundation provided ballet accessories to Mihaela and the participation fee for the Ballet Academy.

MUSIC

Momchil Milanov – freshman in the “Pancho Vladigerov” State Musical Academy, Classical Singing Course. Momchil has participated many times in school and public performances and social events; he took part in a charity concert organised under the patronage of Mr. Simeon Sakscoburgota; he was part of the Bulgarian-Italian production about Bulgarian opera talents presenting our country before the European Union. The Foundation pays for Momchil’s semester fee in the Musical Academy – Sofia.
Payment of the participation of Ralitsa Penkova – pianist, 6th grade, “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School in the International Keyboard Competition in San Marino, September 2004.

Filip Petkov – pianist, student in the Musical Conservatory College of Long Island, USA. Achievements in 2004 – master class with Prof. Mihael Keller within the programme of the March Music Days International Festival; participant in the First International Piano Festival in Portland, USA; first prize in the International Music Competition of the Lisma Foundation, New York; participant in the International Competition of the Music Conservatory Long Island, New York. The Foundation pays for the participation fee in the competition of the Long Island Conservatory.

Yanitsa Hristova – frashman in the North Dutch Conservatory, Grioningen, Holland, with Prof. Paul Kommen and Prof. Tamara Podubnaya. Achievements in 2004: laureate of the Great Award of “Peter de Grote” Festival, Grioningen, Holland; second prize at the First International Competition “Young Virtuosos” – Sofia; master class with Prof. Mihael Keller within the programme of the March Music Days International Festival. The Foundation pays the participation fee for the master class and her participation in the “Young Virtuosos” Competition.

Bojana Nikolova – violinist, 11th grade, “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School. Achievements in 2004: encouragement prize in the First International Competition “Young Virtuosos” – Sofia; an active participant in the master classes of Prof. Vanya Milanova within the programme of the March Music Days International Festival, Prof. Mincho Minchev within the programme of the International Festival Varna Summer and Prof. Tamara Podubnaya ; guest performer at the Opera Philharmonic Society concert – Rousse conducted by Georgi Chaprazov and Georgi Dimitrov. The Foundation pays the participation fees in the master class with Prof. Vanya Milanova and the First International Competition “Young Virtuosos” – Sofia..

Sirma Velichkova – pianist, 8th grade, “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School. Achievements in 2004: master class with Prof. Mihael Keller within the programme of the March Music Days International Festival; laureate of the prize “Young Hope” in the International Competition “Music and the Earth”; third prize at the International Competition “Hopes, Talents, Masters”; participation in the “Pancho Vladigerov” National Competition. The Foundation pays for Sirma’s participation in the master class with Prof. Mihael Keller and the International Competition “Music and the Earth”

Preslav Ganev – violinist – 12th grade, “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School. Achievements in 2004: First International Competition “Young Virtuosos” – Sofia, April 2004; an active participant in the master classes of Prof. Vanya Milanova within the programme of the March Music Days International Festival, Prof. Mincho Minchev within the programmeof th International Festival Varna Summer; soloist at the Opera Philharmonic Society annual concert – Rousse with the participation of outstanding students of “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School.The Foundation pays the fees for Preslav’s participation in the International Competition “Young Virtuosos” – Sofia and the master classes with Prof. Vanya Milanova and Prof. Mincho Minchev.

SCIENCES

Velemira Bogomilova – student in the “St. Kliment Ohridski” Sofia University, Bulgarian Philology. As a laureate of the National Bulgarian and Literature Olympiad she was admitted to Sofia University without entrance examination.The Foundation pays for the first semester fee, students hostel rent and purchase of materials and textbooks.

Provision of a sum for textbooks and specialised resource literature to Alexander Velikov – student in the Higher School of Electronics “Supelec” – Paris, graduate of the “Louis le Grand” Lycee.

Payment of the tuition fee for the second semester to Delyan Dimov – freshman in the Technical University of Sofia – “Communication Equipment and Technology” course.
Provision of a sum for the annual fee in the Informatics course of the Centre for Students Creative and Research Studies – Rousse to Nikolay Vulchev – 8th grade in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”, prize -winner in mathematics competitions.
Provision of the tuition fee for the second semester to Georgi Kudrev - freshman in the “St. Kliment Ohridski” Sofia University, Informatics course.

Svetlana Milkova – 11th grade in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”. Achievements in 2004: first prize in the Easter Mathematics Competition organised by the Union of Mathematicians in Bulgaria – Rousse branch; second prize in the regional round of the Christmas Mathematics Competition 2004; participant in the Australian Mathematics Competition. The Foundation pay for Svetla’s TOEFL English course.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Elitsa Raeva – 11th grade student in the “Konstantin-Kiril the Philosopher” European Languages School, contestant from the Pristis Chess Club – Rousse with FIDE ELO 2213.
Achievement for 2004 – first prize (national championship) of the State Championship in Classical Chess for girls up to 18 years of age; first prize (national championship) of the State Championship in Active Chess (rapid) for girls up to 18 years of age; third prize in the Blitz State Championship for girls up to 18 years of age; fourth prize of the State Championship in Classical Chess for girls up to 20 years of age; first prize (national championship) – Bulgarian Cup for girls up to 20 years of age; fourth prize of the State Championship in Classical Chess for women (she covers the first level for international master); first prize (national championship) of the State Championship in Active Chess (rapid) for women; first prize (national championship) – Bulgarian Cup for women; second prize (national vice-champion) for Team Competition in Chess for girls up to 18 years of age; third prize for Team Competition in Chess for women; first prize in the Open Tournament Pristis 2004; European vice-champion in the European Championship in Active Chess for girls up to 18 years of age in Obrenovats, Serbia; European vice-champion in the European Championship for Solving Chess Problems and Studies for youths up to 18 years of age in Obrenovats, Serbia; third prize in the European Championship in Active Chess and Blitz for girls up to 18 years of age in Belgrade, Serbia; fifth place in the European Championship in Active Chess for boys and girls up to 18 years of age in Obrenovats, Serbia; 22nd place in the World Championship in Classical Chess for girls up to 18 years of age in Heraklion, Greece. The Foundation pays for Elitsa’s participation fee in the European Championship in Active Chess and Blitz, Serbia.

Rostislav Raev – sophomore in the “Angel Kunchev” University – Rousse, Computer Systems and Technologies course, contestant from the Pristis Chess Club – Rousse with FIDE ELO 2338
Achievements for 2004 – national vice-champion in the State Championship in Active Chess for boys up to 20 years of age; third prize in the State Championship in Blitz for boys up to 20 years of age; fourth prize at the State Championship in Classical Chess for boys up to 20 years of age; ; national vice-champion – Bulgarian Cup for boys up to 20 years of age; fifth place at the Open Tournament Pristis - 2004; sixth place at the International Open Tournament Abritus - 2004"; eighth place at the International Open Tournament Slunchev Brjag – 2004. The Foundation finances Rostislav’s participation in the State Championship in Active Chess for boys up to 20 years of age.

Silvena Miteva – 4th grade pupil in “Ivan Vazov” Primary School, chess player in the Dunav Chess Club. Winner of many prizes – first prize in the District Championship in Accelerated Chess; first place in the blitz tournament for boys up to 12 years of age; second prize in the Third Memorial “Yordan Yovkov” organised by the Dunav Chess Club; first prize in the School Mathematics Tournament “Ivan Vazov”; second place at the Demonstration Competition in Mathematical Linguistics organised by the Union of Mathematicians in Bulgaria, Mathematics and Linguistcs branch. The Foundation provides for Silvena’s tuition in chess as well as the annual fee for the course in mathematical linguistics.

The Foundation provides the annual fee for the course in mathematical linguistics to Dobrotzveta Dobreva – 9th grade student in the “Konstantin-Kiril the Philosopher” European Languages School. Achievements for 2004: first individual prize in the 8th – 10th grade category and third team prize in the National Competition in Mathematical Linguistics, Varna 2004.

Tatyana Sevova, Roumyana Yordanova and Elena Aleksandrova – 11th grade students in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”, active participants in the School Ecoclub under the guidance of Mrs. Tsvetanka Todorieva. The three girls represented Bulgaria at the Third European Youth Congress of Water in Belgium, March, 2003; they won second prize at the Twelfth National Compe-tition in Ecology “Sreburna 2004” in June; they participated in an ecological itinerary in France, July 2004. The Foundation provides for resource materials for the presentation in France.

PROGRAM “THE FAMILY OF THE GOOD PEOPLE” - 2 540 lv.

Payment of the mathematics applicants’ course, first semester fee and purchase of textbooks and aids to Strahil Nikolov – freshman in the “Angel Kunchev” University – Rousse, European Studies course.
Payment of the first semester fee to Teodora Dimitrova – freshman in the “Angel Kunchev” University – Rousse, International Economic Relations course.
Mihaela Georgieva – freshman in the University of Economics - Varna, Economics of Trade course. Payment of the entrance examinations and the first semester fee.
Emilia Vitanova – freshman in the National Sports Academy – Sofia, Physical Education course. Emilia has numerous participations in sports competitions and other extracurricular activities. The Foundation pays a course in winter sports within the curriculum.

Payment of the second semester fee to Asya Parashkevova – third-year student in the Higher Medical Institute – Pleven.
Kamelia Georgieva – 10th grade student in the “Konstantin-Kiril the Philosopher” European Languages School. The Foundation pays for textbooks and aids and the fee for a course in photography in the Youth House – Rousse

Dilyan Vladimirov – 10th grade student in “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School, Fine Arts course. The Foundation pays the compulsory school practice of Dilyan held in Arkutino.
Purchase of ballet accessories to Simona Kojuharova – 9th grade student in “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” National Arts School, Classical Ballet course.
Payment of fee for a training camp with the “Naiden Kirov” Folklore Ensemble – Denislav and Stanislav Penev – 2nd grade pupils in the “Hristo Botev” Comprehensive School. Both boys are folklore dancers in the ensemble.
Payment of textbooks and aids for Yoan Zlatev – 5th grade pupil in the “Vuzrajdane” Comprehensive School; Hristomira Hristova – 7th grade pupil “Otets Paisij” Primary School; Maxim Parashkevov – 11th grade student in the “Konstantin-Kiril the Philosopher” European Languages School; Nikolay Borisov – 12th grade student in the “Apostol Arnaudov” Electronics Vocational School; Maria Petkova – 4th grade pupil in the “Bratia Miladinovi” Primary School; Ivailo Angelov – 9th grade student in the “Atanas Burov” Industrial Technologies Vocational School ; Kalin Angelov – 8th grade pupil in the “Hristo Botev” Primary School – village of Basarbovo.
Purchase of textbooks and a season ticket for bus transport for the period of the schoolyear to Ivan Deskov – 8th grade student in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”, champion in “U-Shu” martial arts; Nina Yordanova – 11th grade student in the Economics and Management Vocational School.

PROGRAM “PARTNERSHIP” - 10 389 lv.

Payment of the annual fees for the linguistics course at the “Mathematical Linguistics” Association under the guidance of Iliyana Raeva for two of the best achievements – Maria Pencheva, 6th grade pupil in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School” and Silvena Miteva – 4th grade pupil in “Ivan Vazov” Primary School. Both students participated in the Children Summer Academy – 2004.
Iconography Course – the joint initiative of the Bistra and Galina Hotel-Foundation and Griffon Gallery, which started last year, was continued during 2004. Eighteen children, participants in the Children Summer Academy – 2004, who demonstrated high motivation and skills in the Iconigraphy and Fine Arts classrooms, were enrolled. They attend the classes free and worked with materials donated by the Foundation while Mrs Roumyana Belcheva, headmistress of the Economics and Management Vocational School, provided the premises. Desislav Dechev – artist from the Griffon Gallery tutored the young iconographers aged 12 – 15.
The course sessions closed formally on May 24th with an exhibition – bazaar displaying the 31 icons created by the children.
The Bistra and Galina Hotel-Foundation and the “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University organised a literary competition dedicated to June 2nd – Day of Botev and Those Who Fell for Liberty of Bulgaria. The competition ruled the writing of an essay, an impression or a poem entitled “The Great are Fated for Sore Trials” or “Images of Hope or Daydreaming”. Students in grades 5 to 12 participated in it as well as undergraduates from Rousse and Silistra. 51 works were submitted for consideration by the jury with members: Ms. Bogdana Lazova – editor-in-chief of the Utro newspaper, Dr. Hristo Bosev – writer and member of the Board of Directors of The Bistra and Galina Hotel-Foundation, Mr. Svetoslav Gindyanov – publisher, owner of the “Avangard print” Printing House, Prof. Slavi Ivanov, Ph.D. in Bulgarian and literature in the “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University - Silistra branch, Jana Vladimirova – undergraduate M.A. in Bulgarian and literature in the “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University, Silistra branch and Alina Gurkova – student in the “Geo Milev” English Language School – Rousse.
The awards ceremony was held on June 2nd in the Pantheon of Revivalists, where the “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University rector Associate Professor Marko Todorov Ph.D. awarded the distinguished works and presented their authors with prizes at the value of 350 BGL:
Special prize – Svetlana Neykova – 11th grade student in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”,
Category “Students 5 – 8 grade”
First prize – not bestowed; Second prize – Yuliana Panteleeva – 7th grade student in the “Konstantin-Kiril the Philosopher” European Languages School – Rousse.; Third prize – Kristela Vaskova – 6th grade pupil in the “Yuri Gagarin” Comprehensive School – Silistra
Category “Students 9 – 12 grade”
First prize – Martin Damyanov – 11th grade student in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”; Second prize - Venelin Todorov – 11th grade student in the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School”; Third prize – Bistra Dimitrova – 11th grade student in “Peyo Yavorov” Language School - Silistra; Prize of encouragement – Antonia Markova – 9th grade student in Vocational School of Technology – Silistra.
Category “Undergraduates”
First prize – not bestowed
Second prize – Nurses Chakur - “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University - Silistra branch
Third prize – Ivailo Terzijski - “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University - Silistra branch
The teacher who had contributed the most to the coaching of students was also distinguished. This is Ms. Anka Spasova from the “Baba Tonka” Mathematics School” – Rousse.
The ceremony was accompanied by an icon exposition with the works created by the parti-cipants in the iconography class during the Children Summer Academy – 2004 of the Bistra and Galina Hotel-Foundation.
The finale of the celebration was marked by a liturgy by Tchaikovski sung by the “Dunavski Zvutsi” mixed choir at the Angel Kunchev Community Centre with chief artisic director Maestro Mihail Angelov.
The fourth successive edition of the Children Summer Academy – 2004 of the Bistra and Galina Hotel-Foundation was formally opened on July 12th 2004. The ceremony held in the open-air restaurant was attended by Ms. Eleonora Nikolova – Mayor of Rousse Municipality, who declared the Children Summer Academy – 2004 open and wished success to the participants. For the first time the project was supported by the Municipality of Rousse, Department of Culture, who financed the initiative with the sum of 1500 BGL. The banner of the Academy with the smiling sun, symbol of the art of children, was hoisted by the most distinguished participants of 2003 – Aleksandra, Ivan, Kamelia and Detelin.
The interest shown to the fourth edition was quite impressive – over 110 children applied, 90% of these pupils with excellent school scores. This made the selection quite difficult and the event – a true Academy of talents. Following the two basic criteria – excellent school performance and contribution in the relevant field, the Foundation team approved 68 children in the age range – 11 – 16 from all schools in the city.
The aim of the project is to scout for talents by offering possibilities for interesting non-standard extracurricular activities. This year the initiative included training in six “classrooms” where the children were tutored by distinguished experts in the relevant field.
1. “Applied Arts” – woodcarving and clay painting under the guidance of Peter Doichinov – specialist from Griffon Gallery. Venue - “Ivan Vazov” Primary School.
2. “Stained Glass and Fine Arts - under the guidance of Desislav Gechev – artist from Griffon Gallery.Venue - “Ivan Vazov” Primary School.
3. “Computer Linguistics and Informatics” - under the guidance of Chief Assistant Iliana Raeva and Engineer Milko Marinov Ph.D. – lecturers in the “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University. Venue - “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University.
4. “Entertaining Psychology” under the guidance of Magdalena Dakova. Venue – hall at 9, Olimpi Panov Street.
5. “Martial Arts” – U-Shu under the guidance of Matia Nedelcheva, manager of “Kalagia” sports club, Tania Tsankova and Ivan Deskov from the “Kalagia” club. Venue – House of Youth – Rousse.
6. “Theatre Studio” - under the guidance of the actors Liudmila Petrova and Ognian Zhekov. Venue – “Otets Paisij” Primary School and “Sava Ognianov” Drama Theatre.
The training sessions and tuition continued for ten days with a lunch break provided by the Foundation. Those who used transport to attend the classes were given season bus cards. All necessary materials were supplied to make the work of the classrooms possible and the realisation of the participants’ ideas complete.
The young artists from the “Applied Arts” and “Stained Glass and Fine Arts” classrooms were tutored in different decorative techniques for pottery painting and glass decoration. The Applied Arts trainees were given the possibility to learn special carving skills. They arranged a display of their work including fine arts, stained glass, ceramics and woodcarving. They also made the sets to be used by their “acting colleagues” for the performance of the theatre studio.
In the “Computer Linguistics and Informatics” course the participants solved linguistics problems – translation of words, names of numbers, coding, making of visit cards, translation of sentences, devising their own tasks. In the informatics classes they worked with Word 97, Power Point, Internet. To demonstrate what they had learned they made a joint multimedia presentation.
The Children in “Martial Arts” – U-Shu set themselves to the basic style in U-Shu - Chan Chuan – basic exercises to gain command of the body, flexibility and coordination skills. They practised underlying techniques of U-Shu - position and movement of arms, legs, body and combining elements in motion. The participants were introduced to the philosophy of the U-Shu masters, terms in Chinese, rules of behaviour – discipline, ethics, relationships.
The psychology fans were instructed in methods of autopsychotraining – self-analysis, self-control, self-perfection. In the “Enter-taining Psychology” classroom they acquired skills to ask constructive questions, to make interviews and analyse them, to stimulate their internal intellectual and creative resources, to communicate properly. The knowledge they had mastered was demonstrated in the final gala-concert of the Academy.
The young actors peered into the secrets of good acting and presented their own theatrical composition “The Magic Key”after children tales, which they managed to learn and prepare to perform only in eight days.
Apart from the daily sessions chosen as to interests, the Academy programme included lectures too. The themes – introduction to the nature of drugs, abusage and methods of prevention awakened the interest of the participants. The lectures were delivered by Liubomira Liubenova from the Municipal Prevention and Information Centre managed by Vanya Dineva.
On July 16 all young creators together with their tutors went on an itinerary session to the town of Triavna where they visited the National Woodcarving Museum – the Daskalovs House, the home of Petko and Pencho Slaveikov, the National Museum of the Bulgarian Icon and then had an open-air session. The “green classrooms” were hosted by the fine “Sezoni” Hotel – manager Mariana Nikolova.
Art and science met at the finale of the fourth edition of the Children Summer Academy. The multimedia performance was presented on the stage of the “Sava Ognianov” Drama Theatre on July 23rd. Beautiful glasses and candelabra welcomed the citizens of Rousse, who had come to watch the performance, at the Entrance of the Income Office. The artifacts had come out of the hands of the participants in the Stained Glass class. Paintings, pottery and woodcarving were displayed by the young artists who had studied fine arts and pottery decoration. Later the objects of art were displayed in a bazaar exhibition in the Griffon Gallery. The informatics trainees made a presentation worked out by themselves in Power Point. Dressed in traditional kimonos the U-Shu learners demonstrated different forms, individual and team techniques. The young psychologists interviewed the participants in the other “classrooms”, which they analysed before the audience. The actors made the final emphasis of the celebration with their dramatization “The Magic Key” and received loud applause from the spectators. A ten-kilogram cake provided by the Lazareta Club gathered all the “academicians”. By tradition it was cut by the youngest tutors for the year – Ivan Deskov and Tanya Tsankova.
The “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation team would like to thank most warmly all those who supported the project and assisted in its successful realization, namely: the Municipality of Rousse; the “Angel Kunchev” Rousse University, “Ivan Vazov” Primary School, “Otets Paisij” Primary School, the House of Youth – Rousse who annually provide free use of their halls, as well as all tutors and volunteers who participated in the preparation and realization of the Academy free of charge.
On August 6th, 2004, the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation opened a charity bazaar-exhibition with 50 works of children who had participated in the “Children Summer Academy – 2004”. The artefacts were displayed in the Griffon Gallery. Glasses, stained with vitriol oils, ceramic pots and animal figures, as well as paintings representing the two-week work of the young artists. They worked with the graphic artist Desislav Gechev and the sculptor Peter Doichinov. Alongside with the glass and pottery decoration they recreated images from the world of fancy on canvas. The artists shared that they worked in a joyous atmosphere, many ideas were born and the Foundation provided all necessary materials for their work. For three successive years the Griffon Gallery has prepared the materials for the Academy classes.
The proceeds from the sale of the art objects amounts to 192 BGL and will be expended to organise art courses during the next year.
For the first time in its history the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation managed to organise a free summer camp for socially disadvantaged children from Rousse. The idea had been considered for some time but it came to be realised when a financial backer was found in the face of the German Dressmaking Company Jes Fashion Schnur GmbH, Kleinostheim, owned by Mr. Marcus Fet via the invaluable help of Mrs. Magdalena Stoyanova, proprietor of the Rousse Company Magic PC.
The Summer Camp was held from 26 to 31 August 2004 in the small mountain town of Klisura. 28 children participated and their selection was made with the help of social workers. The Foundation provided transportation, accommodation, food and everything necessary for a happy holiday.
On the way to the venue the bus full of noisy children passed through Pleven and stopped at the Panorama Historical Military Museum, the St. George the Victorious Mausoleum Chapel, the Tzar Liberator Alexander II Museum.
The second day was devoted to the unique symbol of Bulgarian Revival – the town of Koprivshtitsa. The children were fascinated by the Bulgarian life-style and the revolutionary spirit in the homes of Georgi Benkovski, Todor Kableshkov, Dimcho Debelianov, Liuben Karavelov as well as the Oslekovs and the Liutovs houses.
On the next day there were other sights to visit in the Balkan region. In Karlovo and Kalofer the campers saw the Museum House of Vasil Levski, the National Museum “Hristo Botev” and sat in the original desks in the “Daskal Botev School”.
In Sopot the target was the home of the patriarch of the Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov, while in Klisura in the Historical Museum and the Pavurdjievs House the students from Rousse saw an authentic rose distillery. There were lectures in all places.
The evenings in the little mountain town passed in entertaining games in which everybody took part: a competition for “The Best Costume”, “The Best Hairdo”, questionnaires seeking answers in the information the students got while visiting the places of interest, camp fires.
On the way home the group visited the National Park Museum “Shipka” and the Temple Monument “Nativity of Christ”. After coming back the happy participants in the camp met again in the open-air restaurant of the Bistra and Galina Hotel and presented Mr. Burdarov and the sponsors with souveniers made by themselves.
The Foundation team thanks most heartily all the tutors, social workers, the camp doctor Dr. Hristo Bosev and the owner of the “Angel Angelov” transportation firm for the invaluable help in the realization of the vacation on wheels.

The project of School Association for Global Education SAGE – “Schools for 21st without Violence” aims at training teachers and discussion club leaders for the elaboration of school projects to prevent violence. As a partner in the project the Foundation financed the publication of the European Chart for Schools without Violence to be disseminated to the schools nationwide.
The idea of the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation to create and equip “A Kitchen for Entertaining Therapy in Cooking for Children and Young People” was shared by the Rotary Club of Rousse. The joint concept was presented to the Rotary Club – Riderkerk, Holland, where it was approved and a decision was made that the two clubs would apply with “Rotary International”, Evanstan, USA, to be financed by the programme. “Rotary International” conditions require that at least two Rotary clubs should participate together in a given project with involvement in its accomplishment and financial contribution. On behalf of the Rousse Club Mr. Strashimir Burdarov invested $382, while Rotary Club – Riderkerk, Holland, 5000 Euros. Special thanks to the President of the Club Mr. Kor Duermayer for his assistance. There was additional support from the Rotary Foundation of $3 032. Thus the whole sum amounted to 15 034 BGL.

The practical realisation of the kitchen was undertaken by the”Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation, which invited a long-standing partner – Karitas Catholic Organisation – Rousse – to join in. The premises where the equipment was set up turned into a Daily Centre “Compassion” – Karitas. The two organisations set to redecorate the premises, furnish and provide all necessary facilities. They bought a cooker, refrigerator and freezer, microwave, washing machine, aspirator, TV set, video recorder, computer, cupboards, work tops, wardrobes. Alongside with that the Daily Centre team undertook to select the special needs youths who would be involved in the therapy. They were chosen on the basis of interviews with them and their families, individual medical checks and consultations with the Centre specialists – a psycho-therapist, kinesitherapist, logopedician.
“The Kitchen for Entertaining Therapy in Cooking” was opened up on May 31st, 2004, in the presence of the Rousse Rotary Club President Mr. Vladimir Vitkov, the Director of Karitas Mr. Stefan Markov, representatives of the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation, guests, journalists, parents. The newly furnished premises were consecrated personally by Rev. Valter Gorra of the “St. Paul from the Crucifix” Catholic Church, who wished success to all participants.

The group comprised 12 children and youths with special needs in the age range 12 – 30 and they were divided into two groups as to age and impairment. The work therapy involves planning diets, shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning the kitchen, introduction to the auxiliary tools and appliances for safe cooking. The involvement in useful routine activities helps the young people to be integrated in the community. They learn how to use money, do the shopping, find their way to the stores and communicate.
The all-year maintenance of the Centre is provided for by the Karitas Catholic Church in Rousse.

A specialised surgery for diagnostics and rehabilitation of disphagia. As a follow-up to the project “The Kitchen for Entertaining Therapy in Cooking” the teams of by the”Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation and the Karitas Catholic Organisation – Rousse decided again to join forces in favour of the special needs children from Rousse and the region. Studies have shown that there are numerous children in the city afflicted with disphagia whose parents try to cope with the problems by themselves because there is no specialised place to search help. The disphagia patients have serious difficulties with swallowing, chewing and eating and they should always be assisted by a qualified adult. Up to now there was no specialised institution to provide consultation and treatment for children as well as training for parents concerning these specific problems. That motivated the two organisations to take to the setting up of a special city surgery. The Daily Centre Karitas team interviewed numerous sick children and their families to explore their status and personal needs. The Foundation financed the provision of specialised equipment for the surgery – a table with a rising top and medicine glasscase while Karitas provided the necessary work facilities. The therapy applied by the highly qualified logopedician with the children includes basic procedures such as heat indication with an applicator, kriotherapy, stimulation with an electric brush, work with an orthodontal shower.

The Surgery started work on November 24th, 2004 in the Daily Centre “Compassion” – Karitas. Thanks to its work the painful problem of 10 children aged 7 – 14 with swallowing difficulties has been solved. According to the logopedician Mrs. Alice Murtesova the value of this acquisition lies in the chance for early diagnostics of the disease and the access to professional timely help. This is vital since after 14 years old disphagia is incurable.

At the end of November the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation launched its traditional charity campaign “Christmas 2005”. The campaign was held under the motto “For another child’s happy smile” and involved the sale of Christmas and New Year greeting cards for the purpose of charity. The proceeds of the campaign amount to 6 350 BGL, much better than the 2004 campaign. The funds will be assigned to the two programmes – “The Talented Children of Rousse” and “The Family of the good People” as well as to the “Children Summer Academy”. The larger sum will make it possible to organise one more classroom for young talents. It is inspired by the idea to open a summer “Santa Klaus Workshop”, which will close the circle of the creative process for the next campaign. Through the cards the message for another child’s happy smile reached over 6500 offices, homes and institutions. The best sold card was designed by Irina Peneva – Sofia Academy of Arts graduate and the Foundation grantee for several years. Irina’s “The New Year Dandelion” was printed in three consecutive circulation sets because of the great demand. The variation with the dwarfs wishing “Merry Christmas” in different languages was also much sought because the companies wanted to send it to partners abroad. Thus the “smiling message” of the Foundation transcended the borders of Bulgaria.
At a special ceremony the Foundation team thanked all companies, organisations and volunteers, who bought greeting cards or supported the charity campaign and the Foundation activity. The most active volunteers and grantees were awarded certificates of distinction and given presents: Silvena Miteva – 4th grade student in “Ivan Vazov” Primary School and Kamelia Georgieva – 11th grade student in the “Konstantin-Kiril the Philosopher” European Languages School. They distributed over 200 greeting cards. Receiving the award Kamelia said: “You need to have a noble soul and truly love children! Thank you! My heart warms up when I imagine the smiles of so many children…”.

OPEN PROGRAM - 5 726 lv.

By tradition the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation hosted 11 eminent Bulgarian and foreign performing musicians – participants in the “March Music Days” International Festival.
In May 2002 the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation subsidised the publication of the book “Progenitors of Rousse – A Gate to Europe” by Rositsa Zlatkova. The album comprises 300 Rousse houses and public buildings presented by means colour photographs and the history of the families that inhabited them. There are 64 full-colour pages in English and Bulgarian with over 260 photographs. As soon as the book was published the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation announced the setting up of a Fund for an annual student grant for architecture addressed to Rousse university students. The Fund was fed by the sale of copies of the book – 2 levs of the cover price of each book sold. The Foundation team undertook to disseminate the book and by 2004 the Fund had already raised the required sum to provide the grant to the successful applicant. The eligibility criteria involved:
- Bulgarian citizenship;
- Secondary education received in Rousse;
- Freshman course of university studies in Architecture;
- Academic grades of the previous year not lower than 5.00;
- Enrolment in the course for the year of the annual grant;
- Age up to 28.
Five students applied for the grant and were found eligible. According to the adopted rules a commission was formed to consider the applications. Members of the commission were: Architect Orlin Nedelchev – Chair of the Architects’ Union in Rousse; Nikolay Nenov – Director of the Regional Historical Museum, Rositsa Zlatkova – author of the book and two representatives of the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation.

The 2004 annual grant was awarded to Svetla Veselinova Grigorova – third-year student in the Architecture, Construction and Geodesy University – Sofia, Architecture course. The grant is awarded for a year and amounts to 75 BGL per month.
Alongside with teachers and parents the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation President Mr. Strashimir Burdarov contributed to the realisation of a children’s operetta where 150 children came out on the stage as operetta performers. On April 2004 the citizens of Rousse enjoyed the first children’s operetta performance “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed” in the Philharmonic Hall. The music, text and choreography were created by Rositsa Dobreva and the young performers were Bulgarian, Turkish, Roma and Armenian.
The “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation financed the participation of five solo performers for the Childrens’ formation of the “Dunavski Vulni” Choir at the Municipal Centre for Culture and Arts conducted by Mr. Svilen Dimitrov. The grant made it possible for the Choir to participate in the 7th International Choir Festival, South Tyrol, Italy, 23 – 27 June 2004.
The “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation provided the award fund of cups and medals for the National Chess Tournament for Adolescents, “Pristis” Cup, Rousse, 8 – 10 July 2004. The tournament was organised by the “Pristis” Chess Club.
The “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation financed the participation of five children in the girls’ formation of the “Dunavski Vulni” Choir at the Municipal Centre for Culture and Arts – artistic manager and conductor - Mrs. Vesela Todorova.Dimitrov. The grant was assigned for the Choir’s participation in the International Choir Festival, Kantonigros, Spain. The young singers were awarded third place in the contest.
The Foundation provided the special prize for the Competition of Young Performers “Severno Siyanie” organised by “Estrada” Studio at the Municipal Children Centre for Culture and Arts - manager Mr. Vili Ikonomov.
“Rouschuklijche” Folklore Ensemble at the Municipal Children Centre for Culture and Arts with artistic directors Neli Garvalova and Ventsislav Nedelchev will have better publicity thanks to the advertising pack financed by the “Bistra and Galina” Hotel-Foundation.

“Prosveta” Community House – village of Tabachka managed to organise a New Year celebration for the 8 children, living in the village, with the financial help of the Foundation. The six boys got bows and swords, while the two young ladies were presented with beautiful new dolls.