History
National Capital Region Bulgarian Community
The Bulgarian Society in Ottawa was established by prominent Bulgarians in the first months of 1991 under the name Bulgarian-Canadian Society “Vasil Levski” in the home of Asen Yotov, who also became its first chairman. Among its first members were Vasil Gachev, Stancho Bogdanov, Dimitar Nikoloff and Georgi Minchev. The main goal of the society was to develop cultural, educational and organizational activities among the suddenly increased Bulgarian community in Ottawa after 1990. New Year celebrations and celebrations of national holidays were organized. In 1992, as a result of the expansion of the community, the society also established a Bulgarian school with teachers Lyudmila Minkova, Olga Arnaudova, Ani Kostova and Malvina Grant. The school continues to exist to this day with three classes at the elementary level and one high school level.
In 1995, the company was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of Canada, with the mandate of its activities established on the national capital region (the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau). The charter, goals and organizational structure were adopted. In 2000, with the support of the company, the first dance group "Rodina" was created, with leaders Raina Stamatova and Olya Stancheva. The company provides a rehearsal hall and financial support from the city hall of Gatineau. Since 2014, support has also been provided to the folk dance group HopTrop.
In 2004, the management decided to create a charitable organization ("Bulgarian Foundation in the Ottawa Region"), which is under the auspices of the company, but according to the tax system in Canada, it can more efficiently financially support the many cultural and educational events. Since 2010, the Foundation has been the main recipient of grants from the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria, under the program “Native Language and Culture Abroad,” which established a high school class and two clubs at the Bulgarian school – in folk dances and in folk and folk art. In 2015, through a single donation to the school, a “Petyo Hristov” award fund (in the name of the donor) was established with the aim of encouraging and recognizing students from the Bulgarian school.
The company is the main organizer of concerts of visiting Bulgarian singers, groups and actors in Ottawa. Over the years, Yordanka Hristova, Margarita Hranova, Toni Dimitrova, the Zvezditsi children’s choir, Diana Express, the Foundation group and many others have been invited. Concerts, theater or other cultural events are regularly organized for May 24th.
In October 2014, as a result of a grant received from the Community Foundation of Ottawa, the first Bulgarian Culture Festival was held in Ottawa with the aim of promoting the work of local artists of Bulgarian origin and Bulgarian culture in general. Its opening took place at Ottawa City Hall, attended by local politicians and diplomats. As part of the festival, a "Folk Fest" was organized, bringing together dance groups from Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal for the first time.
The organization also enjoys great success in organizing annual wine tastings by amateur winemakers from the community.
The society maintains close ties with the Orthodox Church of Christ the Savior to the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople, which is visited by many Bulgarians.
The organization's statute was successfully renewed in 2014, taking into account changes in Canadian laws. The Bulgarian Society in the National Capital Region is the unifying force of the almost two thousand Bulgarians in Ottawa and Gatineau and their many interests, and continues to work to preserve their Bulgarian identity. In 2015, the society took the initiative to create a Bulgarian Federation in Canada and established contact with Bulgarian communities in other cities in Canada.
In 2006, the society received the Ivan Vazov Medal from the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its registration as a non-profit organization, and in 2016 an honorary badge from the Bulgarian Association of Bulgarians Abroad, which marks the 25th anniversary of its establishment as an informal organization in 1991.
The chairmen of the society over the years have been Assen Yotov, Vasil Gachev, Tinko Evtimov, Rumyana Benedikt, Ani Kostova, Hristina Hristova, Stella Kostova Totev (2018-2024), and currently Anton Minkov.