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For the fifth consecutive year Amalipe Center continued the tradition to commemorate Vasilitsa, not only as a beginning of the New Year for the Roma (Bulgarian also in the past), but as a Roma Cultural Day too.  In the very beginning of the New Year, according to an old Amalipe Center tradition, together with 170 schools, Community Development Centers in 11 municipalities and Youth groups for tolerance in 6 regions, organized over 130 events in the whole country and Sofia under the motto “To rebuild the bridges between us”. The purpose of the organization and its partners was to present the richness of the Roma culture, the connections between the folklore of the Roma and Bulgarians and the hopes for having more success and health during this year. The campaign was led by an idea of rebuilding of the bridges of trust between all of us, to refresh Bulgaria together.   

In Sofia, 32 smiley children dressed in traditional Bulgarian and Roma clothes who are working on the program „ Every student could be a winner” visited over 25 institutions, embassies and organizations in Sofia.  Having their handmade survaknitsi (wooden sticks) decorated with popcorn, peppers and candies.

The children wished health, luck and a lot of work to the premier – Plamen Oresharski.

“Be healthy and well, work honestly in the coming days” with these words the fourth graders from the Primary School of Varbitsa  “St. Paisii Hilendarski”.  By a bridge of songs and dance the brought luck to the Prime Minister – Plamen Oresharski for the following year.   
“Let the year be peaceful and wealthy, all around the world to live as brothers together, because Earth is like garden – to live long and prosper.” These were the following greetings from the students.


The Prime Minister give his wishes back and said he might be standing in front of the next Prime Minister, referring to the children. Teodora Krumova wished the Prime Minister to keep the symbolism of the holiday on during the whole year and to build bridges to “the others”, to rebuild not only one bridge during his mandate, but mostly to construct a bridge of trust and friendship between the ethnic groups and the citizens in our homeland. She underlined that this massage from the Minister and its clear political commitment can stimulate the civil consensus for support of the Roma integration process.This is a necessary condition to not only fulfill the National Roma Integration Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria, but also to be bought in practice. The model of the Primary School of Varbitsa – showing that for years there is no even one student who stopped his studies – can be applied in whole country.

 Ministry of Education and Science: The Minister of Education Prof. Klisarova, Deputy Minister Teneva and dozens of staff welcomed students from the School of Nikola Kozlevo village "Tcanko Tcerkovski" and theSchool of  Kaspichan "Hr. Botev "- both in the region of Shoumen.  The chairman of the Amalipe Center -  Deyan Kolev – was also with them.

With high spirits and smiles, and almost professional stage performance the students presented the legend of St. Vasil, Roma customs and Bulgarian survakari sayings, which we learned after having banitsa with fortune and they greeted in Roma and Bulgarian language. "I believe in you, I believe you love studying and will not quit moving forward!" replied the Minister Klisarova and then went on the celebratory dance.

After the ceremony, the Minister accepted in his cabinet the principals of both schools - Pavlina Fileva and Katiliyan Kostadinov, the Mayor of Kaspichan - Milena NEDEVA and the President of Amalipe Deyan Kolev.During the hour chat, Prof. Klisarova shared with the guests that the efforts of the Ministry are aimed at reducing the number of school dropouts and to the promotion of professional education". The purpose of it is to allow students to acquire new knowledge, skills and competencies to enable them to study and work at the same time and thus achieve better in the profession they have chosen"- explained Prof. Klisarova.  She assured the principals that small schools will be supported: each school will receive 27 000 lev for its inherent costs outside the unified expenses, there will be bonuses provide to increase the success of external evaluation, etc.

Deyan Kolev presented the model of the prevention of the dropout -tested from Amalipe Center and 174 schools and the results: reducing dropouts of the students from 3.2% to 0.48%. Pavlina Fileva and Katiliyan Kostadinov told how this model works in their schools and what needs to be done to reduce to 0% dropouts. Then they addressed and concrete proposals to the Ministry of Education for legislative changes to assist their efforts.

 "Happy Vassilitsa Holiday, our survakars group wishes you keeping good health and prosperity.  Surva Surva year to be full of life and well for 101 years, live long and prosper. Red apples in a garden, God gives everyone health and happiness“– this is what the small survakari wished the Chairman of the National Assembly Mikov. He wished them good health, to be diligent students and good luck. Furthermore the children received many gifts and treats, a promise to organize trips to Sofia and computers for schools. In addition, National Assembly Chairman gathered younger students sourvak (wished greeting) the Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of Coalition for Bulgaria - Sergey Stanishev.

The Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ademov also welcomed survakari on the occasion of Vassilitsa.Students from the School of Konare “Hristo Smirnenski ” and the School of Radomirtsi "Father Paisij" – Pleven region, greeted the Minister  with the traditional custom sourvakane health and prosperity. The children were honored by the Deputy Ministers Svetlana Dyankova, Rosica Yankov and Lazar Lazarov, the head of the political office -  Sevinch Kassabova and the chairman of the State Agency for Child Protection -  Eve Zhecheva. Minister Ademov wished the children and their teachers, health and success in the New Year.  He stressed that the most important prerequisite for successful integration in education. The representative of the Amalipe Center thanked the team of MLSP partnership over the years emerged as an extremely effective job of innovative services, community-based in the Community Development Centers as well as the use of the Roma mediators.

The Minister of  Defence -  Angel Naydenov met sourvakars of the school  of Galabnik village "Hristo Botev", Municipality of Radomir, who greeted the management and staff of the Ministry of Defense with poems and traditional songs and dances.  The Defence Minister greeted small survakari, wished them to continue to be diligent in learning to listen to their parents and teachers and when they turn age to join the Bulgarian Army. People who attend the meeting with the sourvakars were Deputy Ministers of Defense - Ivan Ivanov,  Nedzhmi Ali, Permanent Secretary of Defense  - Dobromir Totev and employees of the Department of Defense.  Tanya Vanova of Amalipe Center congratulated and thanked the hosts for the accepted invitation. These visits of our children in institutions have a huge motivation to increase their success and moments that they will remember forever. Hopefully the number of young Roma students in military educational institutions will increase significantly in the coming years“.After sourvak the people for health and prosperity, the children received gifts and sweets.

 Survakarcheta greeted the Minister of Regional Development - Desislava Terzieva and her team. By tradition, the morning of Bango Vasil children go around and Survaki for health, prosperity and fertility. Students from the School of Yambol "Jordan Jovkov" performed a short program of songs and dances and chanting on the occasion of Vasilitsa. Tanya Vanova thanked the hosts for the invitation. She wished them a successful year and more funds to reach municipalities where there is Roma population to improve the living conditions and infrastructure for better life. Terzieva Minister thanked the children and their leaders that continue to keep the traditions; because folklore of the different ethnic groups is part of the cultural heritage of Bulgaria.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Mrs. Mariana Georgieva also welcomed  survakarcheta : Minister Georgieva met survakarchetata from First Primary School Paisii Hilendarski the town of  Galabovo.  Thanks for the good wishes of my little guests . When the year starts with kind regards, warm children's smiles and sparkling eyes this means that it will be peaceful, fruitful and fertile , said Minister Georgieva. She reminded the children that first they have to read and then kick a ball . All the children received gifts.
On behalf of Amalipe Center Momchil Baev thanked the Minister for the open doors and said that best practices in youth policies should be multiplied. Part of the group were volunteers working on the project " Youth is tolerance", which is implemented in six  regions of the country , in Romania , Hungary and Greece. Momtchil Baev gave the Minister the results of the Survey of stereotypes and attitudes of young people towards the Roma and other ethnic groups living in the country. He said that in such practices is evident that young people want to build bridges between each other. All you need is a little support from adults and space for expression ! Let such practices become routine in every school, in every village and town in Bulgaria !

« Heavenly protection » picked out of the pie with fortune Chief Secretary of the Interior Mr. Svetozar Lazarov .

" Heaven's protection. Keep your temple clean! " was the luck of the cake that the Chief Secretary of the Interior commissioner Svetozar Lazarov picked . The Chief Secretary  welcomed at the building of the  Ministry students from Vasil Levski school in the village of Karadzhovo, Povdiv district . The students are part of the alumni of the school , which teaches children from three ethnic groups , demonstrating tolerance and respect for each other - said the principal of the school Mrs.Krasimira Blagoeva, praising the children . The little guests had prepared a short program that recreated the festive ritual of the Roma New Year - Vassilitsa, associated with calling and wishing for a "healthy" year. Acording to the old ritual the children beated on the back the Chief Secretary with sourvacknitsa for health , wished him future success and gave him a picture made ​​by them in fine arts class . He encouraged the talents of the children , he told them to be diligent students and gave them gifts for the holiday. " You can count on us for support in the name of children ," assured the Chief Commissioner Lazarov and expressed readiness to assist those who have chosen to follow a career in law enforcement . On behalf of the Center Amalipe  Momchil Baev gave many thanks for the continued excellent partnership with the Ministry of Interior and its regional directorates and district offices , stressing that it could be seen as an example of good collaboration for integration of Roma into society . Baev pointed out that the need to increase the number of young Roma who began working in the Ministry of Interior , as has been attempted in Veliko Tarnovo. Commissioner Lazarov said that not only in  Veliko Tarnovo they should work in this direction, but everywhere in the country. He stressed that the Ministry and all its regional structures are open for cooperation.

Ministry of Culture: Exceptionally attractive, lavish survakari costumes and handmade survaknitsi by students St. Kliment Ohridski school , village of  Tishevitsa, Primary School  Hristo Botev  village of Pavolche, Vratsa district and Vasil Levski chool, village of Ledenik, Veliko Tarnovo municipality, brightened the lobby of the Ministry of Culture and took the office of Deputy Minister of Culture Mr. Vasil Vasilev . The children presented the custom  Vassilitsa and recreated the home environment in  which it is celebrated . Children from villages of Tishevitsa and Pavolche gave the host a delicious handmade bread and the youngest child of the group from the village of Ledenik gave them lucks. The luck predicting for ,, money "  was for  Deputy Minister Vassilev - a sign that the development of culture and talented children will be a priority this year.
The mood is further increased when the dancers from the village of Ledenik came out and the boys started playing the tambourines . Rumiana Yordanova from Amalipe Center presented the  Program of the Center Amalipe "Every student can be an excellent student" and invited the Deputy Minister and his colleagues to ascertain with that with " eyes " by visiting the eleventh edition of the Roma children's festival " Open Heart " Veliko Tarnovo and to support the candidacy of Veliko Turnovo Municipality for European Capital of Culture 2019.

Social Assistance Agency : group of children - survakarcheta from St. Kliment Ohridski  in the village of Bukovlak, Pleven district, visited the Executive Director Ivaylo Ivanov, who congratulated the children for the great celebration and through them made good wishes to all Bulgarian citizens, representatives of the Roma ethnic group in the country. The children precented the traditional sayings and the chanting of luck, happiness and prosperity , as well as a brief musical program - traditional Roma songs for the holiday . Particular interest and admiration caused the survaknitsi  made by students in EPA  classes" Ethnic Folklore - Roma folklore" .
During the meeting in the Social Asssistance Agency not only presentation of greetings were made but also the representatives of the Centre  Amalipe Sylvia Boyanova and Ivan Todorov (Community Moderator Center for Community Development Etropole ) discussed with Mr. Ivanov  the future of the Centers for Community Development - innovative service experience to local Roma community . Discussed the results of the work of the Roma community moderators and the path for the future institutionalization of the model.

The Employment Agency was visited by the school " Otec Paisij " Knezha and school " Anton Strashimirov", village of Bohot,  Pleven  district. The children headed wishes for prosperity , health and good luck to the Deputy Executive Director of the Agency Nikolay Nikolov, Ch. Secretary of the Agency,  Kancho Kantardzhiyski  and other members of his team. The students received a lot of treats and smiles. Mr. Nikolov stressed that the Employment Agency supports long-term and effective relationships with "Amalipe" center on issues related to the integration of the Roma community and the best example of this are the centers for community development.

Although the National Assembly was still on vacation, members of the political party GERB accepted students from school " Vasil Levski " - Karadzhovo village , Plovdiv district at the National Assembly. Deputy chairman of the parliamentary group Tsacheva , Tomislav Donchev, Milena Damyanova, Lilyana Pavlova , Desislava Atanasova and other members of parliament passed under the survaknitsi of the students from Karadzhovo . The children presented Roma and Bulgarian customs and wished the politicians to build bridges between ethnic groups and citizens of Bulgaria. Deyan Kolev recalled that the National Assembly has approved the National Strategy for Integration of Roma , but to date have not required the Council of Ministers a report on its implementation and wished the 2014 parliament to demonstrate commitment to this document and the integration policies.
The politicians expressed appreciation to the work of the school in Karadzhovo and to Center "Amalipe".  It is obvious that small schools can provide quality education as well and we will support this with legislative initiatives, said clearly Milena Damyanova .

The ambassador of Great Britain in Bulgaria Jonathan Allen welcomed the survakari from secondary school of “St.St. Kiril and Methodius”, the village of Streltsi. Mr. Allan and his all team were blessed with health, luck and prosperity for the New Year by the children. Later the kids singed two traditional Roma songs. Heartily the ambassador of Great Britain wished all the best to the young students. He also told them that he hopes that one day they will work in his office. Maria Ivanova for Center Amalipe thanked the ambassador Jonathan Allen for the good wishes and clear political commitment to support Roma integration. He rewarded the children with sweets, gifts and wishes to preserve the bridge of friendship with the Roma community.

On 14.01.2014 to celebrate Vassilitsa, Romelia Mihtieva, Youth Coordinator for Veliko Tarnovo district of project "Youth is Tolerance" within Center Amalipe, together with students, teachers and the Director of elementary school of "Mihail Kumanov", the city of Peshtera, visited the Embassy of Netherlands in Bulgaria. They were warmly welcomed by the deputy ambassador Mrs. Riny Buss and her colleagues. The children presented a few songs and poems, both Bulgarian and Roma lenguage. The students also presented the tradition 'survakane' and Mrs. Riny Bus received as a gift big survaknitsa decorated with white popcorn and dry fruits. In return, each child received a gift bag. After the program the students one by one presented themselves to Mrs. Buss in English. She wished them a lot of success in school and in life. The hosts were fascinated and asked the children to stay for a short treat. While they were eating sweets, they shared with the Deputy Ambassador more about their school in the city of Peshtera and their families, about what they want to become when they grow up. There were future police officers, teachers, motor racer and a doctor.

Students from the region of Vratsa blessed the team of Trust for Social Achievement for Vasilitsa – Roma New Year with the by the traditional ritual ‘survakane’. These children are students from: secondary school of “St.St. Kiril and Methodius”, the village of Devene and secondary school of “Otets Paisii”, the village of Borovan. Both schools are part in program “Every student can be an excellent student” within Center Amalipe.

Tradition, songs and dances, both Roma and Bulgarian, impressed the team of Hungarian Cultural Institute. They welcomed children from the secondary schools of: “Vasil Levski”, the village of Vidrare, Pravets district and “Vasil Levski”, the village of Ledenik, Veliko Tarnovo district. The young children blessed with health, showed a short theater about Bango Vasil and danced. Their hosts rewarded every child with sweets and beautiful folktales books in both Hungarian and Bulgarian.

Students from the secondary schools of “Otets Paisii”, the town of Knezha and “Anton Strashimirov”, the village of Bohot visited Intelday. Their hosts Mrs. Denitsa Secheva and her team were blessed with a lot of success, luck and health for the New Year.

The young survakari from all over the country also blessed the commission against discrimination, National network for the children, Embassy of USA in Sofia, Embassy of Norway, Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, Embassy of Belgium, UNICEF, Open Society Institute Foundation and Centre for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities (CEICSEM).