site.btaAssociation for Macedonian-Bulgarian Friendship in Bitola Celebrates 15th Anniversary

The Association for Macedonian-Bulgarian Friendship in Bitola celebrated the 15th anniversary of its founding.
 
The event was attended by Bulgarian MPs Stoyan Taslakov, Chair of the Committee for Bulgarians Abroad, and Svilen Shopov, as well as Petar Petrov, Deputy Ambassador of Bulgaria to North Macedonia, Nikolay Dimitrov, Bulgaria’s Consul General in Bitola, Maria Todorova, Mayor of Chuprene, Prof. Milen Zamfirov, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Arts at Sofia University, along with diplomats from Bulgaria’s diplomatic missions in North Macedonia, representatives of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, the Bulgarian Memory Foundation, Bulgarian associations in North Macedonia, and many guests from Bitola and other cities in the country. The celebration took place at the Officers' House in Bitola.
 
The president of the Association, Marinela Petreska, described the gathering as “an evening full of emotions and personal connections.”
“Over these 15 years, we have proven that when dialogue is led with respect—when we build bridges instead of walls—then friendship is not just a word, but a reality. Together we have organized dozens of cultural events, meetings, initiatives, and projects that contribute to bringing people closer from both sides of the border,” said Petreska.

Over the past years, the Association has implemented 21 projects under the Erasmus+ programme in the fields of education, sports, eco-entrepreneurship, digital skills, media literacy, social ecology, and culture. More than 300 young people from Bitola and other cities participated in these initiatives.
 
Over 400 children from various cities across North Macedonia have taken part in 16 seminars organized by the Bulgarian Memory Foundation.
 
Thirty of the most active young members of the association visited Brussels and the European Parliament with the financial support of Dr. Milen Vrabevski.
 
For four consecutive years, the association has also worked on projects funded by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Development Aid program, focusing on culture and education. 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the association donated 200 tablets to children from primary schools in the Bitola municipality. Two sustainable projects were also implemented in local schools:
 
At Kocho Racin Primary School and Rehabilitation Center, a classroom was equipped to teach using the Montessori method, helping children with speech and hearing difficulties learn more effectively.
At the Mirka Ginova School Dormitory, which houses 300 high school students, a fitness room was set up.
 
For ten consecutive years, the association has organized a literary and art competition titled “Az, Buki, Vedi – A Bridge of Our Spiritual Connection with the World”, with more than 200 children from Bitola’s primary schools.
 
In collaboration with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, the association has held an annual university admissions campaign for nine years in a row, including informational fairs and preparatory courses for students wishing to pursue higher education in Bulgaria.
 
Children from the association have also taken part and won awards in sports competitions organized by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad in Primorsko, Chepelare, Varna, and Bansko. In 2024, the Ikra folk club was established and participated in events in the municipality of Chuprene.
 
An exhibition of photos highlighting the association’s activities, projects, and causes was also arranged in the Officers' House in Bitola as part of the celebration.
 
“This is not just a set of statistics, but a testament to our shared efforts and commitment to our cause,” said Marinela Petreska, expressing gratitude to all the organizations and institutions that have supported the association’s work. They were awarded certificates and honorary plaques during the event.