Bulgarian Woman of the Year 2024 Ekenova for BTA: Recognition Gives You Strength to Fly

Petya Petrova, Angela Georgieva

Anita Ekenova recieves the St. Zlata of Meglen Award for 2024 БТА, October 15 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

15.10.2025 18:19

(BTA)

“Recognition is like wings – it gives you the strength to fly, but it also makes you responsible. It’s not a final destination, but the beginning of a new journey. It reminds us not to grow arrogant, but to keep building, to extend a helping hand, and to stay true to ourselves,” said Anita Ekenova, head of the folklore ensemble 'Ot Izvora' from Lyon, in an interview with BTA.

Earlier on Wednesday, she received the award Bulgarian Woman of the Year – St. Zlata of Meglen 2024 from the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.

Ekenova lives in the French city of Lyon, where she organized the tenth edition of the travelling folklore festival Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance in early June. She leads the Ot Izvora Association and is also one of the founders of the Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad, established in 2016.

“For me, even just being nominated for ‘Bulgarian Woman of the Year’ means that somewhere out there, there are people whose lives have become even just a little better, more meaningful, and happier because together we’ve preserved and reignited the Bulgarian spirit – far from our homeland, but close to the heart. It’s so moving to feel that there are people who believe in you so much that they want you to be the one to receive this honor – to be ‘Bulgarian Woman of the Year,’” Ekenova said.

“This nomination and the award that followed carry with them gratitude, love, and trust – three things that are truly priceless.”

During the ceremony, Ekenova also received the Audience Award for 'Most Beloved Bulgarian Woman'.

She added that the award is also a recognition of the dancers from the Bulgarian folklore ensemble Ot Izvora. “Every success of mine is theirs too, because we are one whole,” Ekenova said.

She emphasized that first the nomination, and then the award, made her feel not just appreciated but connected to all Bulgarians around the world who preserve their identity through dance and song. “This award shines a light on the efforts of all of us – Bulgarians abroad – who hold hands not only in the horo dance, but also in our shared effort to preserve our roots and to pass on our love for our homeland to our children,” she said.

When asked how Bulgarian identity is preserved abroad, Ekenova stressed that for her, it is something deeply personal, not just a cultural label. “Identity should not be just a memory of the past, but a way of life. It’s not a name or a passport – it’s a feeling, a drive of the Bulgarian heart, wherever it may be. Wherever we are in the world, we Bulgarians recognize each other by that unique energy and spirit we carry,” she explained.

Speaking about young Bulgarians living abroad, Anita Ekenova was firm in her belief that their priority should be discovering their roots, “because only when we know where we come from can we move forward with confidence.”

/DS/