News - USA, New York, Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria

On October 11, 2025, the Consul General of Bulgaria in New York, Mr. Angel Angelov, took part in a joint event of the Bulgarian Schools “Gergana” (New York) and “St. Kliment Ohridski” (Washington, D.C.). The gathering was held at the premises used by the Bulgarian school in Washington.

The central highlight of the program was the musical “How Without Music”, performed by students (2nd–3rd grade) from the “Gergana” School in New York. The children of “Gergana” presented the musical for the 19th time. The play is an original Bulgarian adaptation for children of “The Sound of Music” by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It was translated by Valentin Hadjiyski and staged by Gina DiDonato, head of the school’s theater studio, together with pianist Lora Al-Ahmad and Eva Gendel.

The Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington, Ms. Stefka Yovcheva, and the Consul General in New York, accompanied by his spouse, diplomat at the Permanent Mission of Bulgaria to the United Nations, Ms. Yuliana Angelova, opened the event with welcoming remarks, congratulating both schools on their initiative. The directors of the two schools, Ms. Neli Hadjiyska and Ms. Doroteya Mihalevska, presented the project to the guests.

Following the performance, the hosts from “St. Kliment Ohridski” School organized a party for the children and attendees, which provided an opportunity for networking and exchange of ideas for future collaboration, including a prospective visit of students from Washington to New York. Guests were also introduced to the educational and cultural activities of the “St. Kliment Ohridski” School.

The participants noted the upcoming literary evening in New York on October 24, to be hosted by the Consulate General, featuring a reading by poet Vladimir Levchev — a former teacher at the “St. Kliment Ohridski” School and currently a professor at the American University in Bulgaria.

The “Gergana” Bulgarian School regularly organizes joint performances with other Bulgarian community schools. Last year, it held a similar event with the “Sts. Cyril and Methodius” School in Boston. The Consulate General in New York actively supports such forms of cooperation among Bulgarian Sunday schools in the U.S., viewing them as a way to strengthen engagement among Bulgarian families and encourage children to learn the Bulgarian language. The performances also carry significant cultural value, as the children’s eloquent use of Bulgarian during the shows consistently earns warm praise.