site.btaIskra Boneva: Guardian of Cultural Heritage of Bulgaria in Latvia

The Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Cultural Society in Latvia nominated Iskra Boneva for the Saint Zlata of Meglen Award in 2025, the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (EABA) said.

Boneva is the head of the Bulgarian Folklore Group in the Latvian capital Riga and the organizer of a number of exhibitions and cultural initiatives. “Boneva is the guardian of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Bulgarian community in Latvia. She preserves over 50 authentic folk costumes from different folklore regions of Bulgaria, keeps an archive and maintains a Bulgarian library,” the EABA emphasized.

"She also builds lasting partnerships with Bulgarian institutions, including the Ivan Vazov National Library in Plovdiv, the ethnographic museums in Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna and Elhovo, the Etar Regional Ethnographic Open-Air Museum in Gabrovo and the National Museum of Education in Gabrovo," the EABA noted, adding that Boneva carries out all of her activities voluntarily.

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.