The first weekend of August brought together members of Rotary Club Sofia-Balkan, our families, and friends for a Rotary Family Weekend in Borovets, where we enjoyed the beautiful nature, shared moments, and, of course, a healthy dose of Rotary inspiration.
The Beginning of an Unforgettable Adventure
On Friday, August 1st, club members, families, and friends gathered at a restaurant in front of the stage of the annual Borovets Jazz Festival. Surrounded by live music, we shared summer stories, future plans, and joyful memories. The evening was more than just a gathering; it was a warm prelude to a truly cohesive Rotary experience.
Picnic, BBQ, and the Birth of a New Idea
On Saturday morning, we met at a designated picnic spot near the Beli Iskar River. A surprise awaited us: specially ordered royal blue aprons with the club logo, courtesy of President Ivaylo Vasilev and crafted by Yana. The aprons were presented to club members and close friends of the club, including Claude Badan, President of RC Sofia International, and Violina Kostova, Past District Governor.
While some set up hammocks and swings, looked after the children, and gathered firewood, others began preparing for lunch. Alex took charge of the barbecue, remaining dedicated to the grill for several hours. Under the expert guidance of Chef Zhechko, our culinary forces united, and the results were magnificent. The aromas drifted under the shade of the tall pines, and spirits were high.
Krassi, our club’s “grey eminence,” ensured everything ran according to schedule – leaving time for both photographs and meaningful conversations. During one of these discussions, an idea was born and, in true Rotary fashion, immediately turned into action: to renovate the canopy and the area around the BBQ site, transforming it into a traditional hub for future meetings. In mere minutes, 600 BGN in donations were raised by the friends present – a clear sign that the initiative was compelling and unifying.
The afternoon passed unnoticed. We cleaned the barbecue area, gathered the waste, and packed away the hammocks and tents… but the food was packed up to be enjoyed later. After a short rest, we gathered again on the lawn in front of the Jazz Festival stage, where a new wave of conversations, games with the children, songs, dancing, and, of course, the remaining “culinary treasures” awaited us. Thus ended the second day – we returned home tired but deeply satisfied.
The “Wooden Church” Project and a Grand Finale
The third day of the weekend featured a visit to the “Transfiguration of the Lord” church – the only entirely wooden church on the Balkan Peninsula – where RC Sofia-Balkan has realized a significant restoration project. With the active support of the local community and businesses, the initial plan for installing art lighting and air conditioning expanded to include icon painting and the renovation of the church’s interior.
Zhechko Balabanov, the initiator of the project, shared the stages of its implementation with our friends. Everyone unanimously declared the project a success. The event concluded with a group photo in front of the temple – a beautiful end to an even more beautiful weekend.
Rotary spirit, friendship, and “doing good” – these were the foundations of our family weekend. We thank everyone who made it possible with their presence, their smiles, and their readiness to help.
We look forward to our next meeting!
Best regards,
Rotary Club Sofia-Balkan
