site.bta St Zlata of Meglen Award Symbol of Gratitude to People Preserving Bulgarian Identity Worldwide

The Saint Zlata of Meglen Award is not just a prize, but a symbol of gratitude to those who preserve the Bulgarian identity around the world, Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (EABA), Rayna Mandzhukova, said in an interview with BTA on Tuesday.

Mandzhukova emphasized that the award has a motivating effect on Bulgarian communities abroad and specified that Bulgarian Woman of the Year is not a competition, but an award, recognition and distinction that is given for contribution. “Every nomination is valuable, and for the team of the EABA it is a joy that over the years the interest in the award has not decreased. This means that people’s work and efforts are appreciated and that there is gratitude from the communities themselves,” Mandzhukova pointed out.

She cited the announcement of the winner as the most exciting moment of the ceremony. “It’s exciting, but I always worry that there will be disappointments, and yet I rely on the maturity and understanding of the ladies," she noted. "In fact, choosing one winner of the award among dozens of nominees, each with their own story and cause, is not easy at all. That is why a jury has been created", she said, adding that the jury includes Prof. Plamen Pavlov as the initiator of the award, Prof. Ana Kocheva from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Bulgarian National Radio Director General Milen Mitev, Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Diplomatic Institute under the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, Director of the State Cultural Institute under the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“Children grow up with schools and organizations as well as in them. During one of my business trips, I met a young girl who several years ago participated as a twelfth grader in one of our competitions and now, already grown up, works an assistant teacher in the same school. This is exactly how continuity and sustainability of Bulgarian communities is ensured", Mandzhukova recalled, noting that she is also thinking about the possibility of creating an exhibition or a film on the Saint Zlata of Meglen Award. “I have been thinking for a long time that a film should be made, not only about the award winners, but also about the nominees. There are women who have been nominated several times, and their activities over the years have become more and more comprehensive", she pointed out.

On October 15, the EABA will present its annual Bulgarian Woman of the Year – Saint Zlata of Meglen Award. Twenty nominations have been received from 11 countries. BTA will present the nominees in a series of articles.