09/25/2026
A Meaningful Evening of Connection
Some moments remind us why the work we do at BMNECC matters so deeply.
Members of BMNECC (Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center) were grateful to attend a special gathering of the Bulgarian community at the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in New York, held in recognition of Bulgarian Independence Day and during an important week of United Nations meetings.
Our Artistic Director, Bilyana Stafura, Vice President of Operations, Nick Nedev, and Bulgarian School Parent Committee representative, Denise Nedev, had the meaningful opportunity to meet President Iliana Iotova of the Republic of Bulgaria, along with Velislava Petrova, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Natalia Efremova, Minister of Labour and Social Policy; and Stefka Yovcheva, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Washington, D.C.
For BMNECC, the evening was about much more than attending an official gathering. It was a moment of genuine connection. For nearly a century, the BMNECC has worked to preserve and share the culture, traditions, history, and arts that connect our community across generations. Gathering on the occasion of Bulgarian Independence Day made that connection especially meaningful — a reminder of the heritage we carry with us and our responsibility to keep it alive for generations to come.
Our heartfelt thanks to Consul General Angel Angelov and his entire staff for welcoming our community with such warmth and care. We deeply appreciate the thought and effort they put into bringing people together and making the evening feel so personal.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to President Iliana Iotova, Minister Velislava Petrova, Minister Natalia Efremova, Chargé d’Affaires Stefka Yovcheva, and all of the Bulgarian diplomats and representatives who made time during a very busy week of United Nations meetings to connect with Bulgarians living abroad. This evening felt very much connected to what the BMNECC has stood for throughout its history preserving our heritage, sharing it with future generations, and strengthening understanding and connection through culture.
We left with full hearts and deep gratitude.
From all of us at the BMNECC, thank you for a truly memorable evening, and warm wishes to our Bulgarian community on the occasion of Bulgarian Independence Day.
To learn more about the BMNECC and read our complete Mission & History, please visit www.bmnecc.org/mission-history
Preserving Tradition ~ Presenting the Arts ~ Promoting Understanding
