Zonta Club of Sofia celebrates 25 years of service with installation at the Bells Monument

On 16 October, the Zonta Club of Sofia, Bulgaria, celebrated its 25th anniversary. The club was established in 1995 established on the initiative and with the support of Zonta Club of Mannheim. For 25 years, the club’s members have been working hard and together, dedicated to empowering women around the world through service and advocacy and improving their living status.

For the club’s anniversary with a bell ringing, members solemnly revealed the Zonta Club Sofia Bell at the Bells Monument (Kambanite) in Sofia. The sound echoed like the words and deeds of all Zontians around the world.

Club President Ivelina Dzhambazova, Bistra Ilieva, district 30’s area 5 director, Dr. Sultanka Petrova, deputy minister of Labor and Social Policy and Todor Chobanov, deputy mayor for Culture, Education, Sports and Youth Activities joined to reveal the bell together.

In addition, presidents from almost all of Bulgaria’s Zonta clubs and many friends of the Zonta club attended. The event was very emotional and meaningful to the Zonta Club of Sofia’s members.

The official part of the ceremony was held in the National History Museum, in the Sun hall, as the club wishes the symbol of the sun and light would always be with them.

Zdravka Evtimova, a prominent Bulgarian writer, translator, winner of numerous national and international literary awards, and chairman of the Bulgarian PEN Club, was the patron of the event. The club is grateful she attended and delivered an emotional and wonderful speech.

Other special guests included: Iliana Iotova, vice president of Bulgaria; Fabienne Moulin, District 30 governor; Jane Muita, a representative of UNICEF Bulgaria; and Maria Stefanova, past Zonta International director, past District 30 governor and a founder and first president of the Zonta Club of Sofia.

The club also received many congratulatory address from: Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, Sofia’s first female mayor; Albena Atanasova, deputy mayor in the field of "Social activities and integration of people with disabilities; Academician Hristo Grigorov, chairman of the Bulgarian Red Cross; Rumen Ralchev, grand prior of the Order of the Knights Templar of Jerusalem; Ekaterina Yordanova, president of the Union of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria; Nadezhda Stoycheva, director of Animus Association Foundation; and Nikoleta Andreeva, president of the Rotary Club Sofia.

The event concluded with the incredible performance of the chamber choir "Voices of Orpheus" with conductor Mrs. Venetsiya Karamanova.

The club is grateful to everyone who attended and for all the energy in which they inspire the club to continue fighting for the causes in which they believe.