Новини

The Chairman of the Parliament Mrs. Tsveta Karayancheva, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Tomislav Donchev, the minister of labour and social policy Mr. Bisser Petkov, the minister of health Kiril Ananiev, the vice ministers of education and science, of youth and sports, of regional development, the ministry of foreign affairs, the ombudsman Mrs. Maya Manolova, the embassy of USA, UK, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, South Africa and India, as well as many other organizations and agencies welcomed on 15th and 16th of January Bulgarian and Roma students on the occasion of the holiday Vasilitsa, celebrated as  the beginning of the new year from most of the Roma people in Bulgaria.

They took part in the Romani and Bulgarian traditions for Vasilitsa, demonstrated their respect for the rich Roma culture, and supported the efforts made by the schools and Amalipe for better quality of the education.

And so for ninth year in a row main agencies and diplomatic missions celebrated Vasilitsa as a holiday of the Roma culture, intercultural dialogue and strive for education. The tradition, founded by Center Amalipe and the schools from the Network “Every student will be a winner” started in 2010 in the Ministry of education and Science and the Ministry of labour and social policy. With time the participating institutions and agencies increased in number and this year the chairman of the parliament, almost every ministry (the vice prime ministers Mr. Donchev, Mrs. Zaharieva and Mr. Karakachanov embraced the initiative, the vice prime minister Mr. Simeonov was not invited in respond to his derogatory speech against Roma children and women.), the ombudsman, commission on protection against discrimination, CEICSEM and many others. Every invited foreign ambassador and embassy opened their doors for the children: from the “ancient native land” of Roma people India through the European countries and to USA.

Students from 32 schools from all around the country took part in the tradition “survakane” and used their own budget (they don’t receive finance for this visit) to come to Sofia ( some of them traveled from the most remote parts of Bulgaria) and brought the magical power of the holiday.

The events in Sofia and the province are part of national campaign of Center Amalipe for ninth year in a row. The purpose of the campaign is to celebrate and promote the holiday of Vasilitsa – Roma New Year. The campaign gives opportunities to students from all around the country to wish health and prosper with the traditions of Roma and Bulgarian folklore. 

Center “Amalipe” wants to thank to all of the schools that took part in the celebration of Vasilitsa and to all of the institutions and agencies that welcomed the children and shared the holiday with such joy.

Bahtalo o Vasili! Bahtalo Nevo Bresh!

More information about the events in Sofia you can see here.