British weeks in Bulgaria start on May 26
British Weeks in Bulgaria is a series of events, organised by the British embassy in Sofia with various partnering organisations. That includes GREAT events that highlight the strong ties between the UK and Bulgaria, a statement from the embassy said.
The first British Weeks will take place from May 26 to June 11 2013 and will celebrate culture, music, creativity, heritage, business and more.
“For more information about events follow us on Twitter and Facebook: UKinBulgaria, and look out for the adverts in a metro station near you.”
May 26 – “Sport is GREAT Britain”: Vassil Levski National Stadium, 3pm.
Charity football match: Aston Villa Old Stars team versus Bulgaria Legends 1994. The match is in aid of “Support Stan” campaign to raise money for the “Charity Fund for the Children of Bulgaria”. The British embassy will host a private reception at the ambassador’s residence before the match.
Tickets 10 leva, National Stadium, Eventim
May 26 to 28 – “Music is GREAT Britain”: Famous Canticum Choir concerts in Sofia and Plovdiv
Canticum is one of the most musically versatile chamber choirs in the UK. Now in its 22nd season, it is praised for accomplished performances of major works and for exploring contemporary repertoire. Canticum performances will start in Sofia as part of Sofia Music Weeks 2013. Their second performance will be a charity event jointly with Embassy singers, hosted by the British ambassador. All proceeds from the evening will go to Phoenix Inspire- charity organisation supporting underpriviliged youth in the Vidin region. Canticum concert in Plovdiv is co-organised by Plovdiv Municipality.
May 26, 7.30pm, St Joseph’s, Roman Catholic church in Sofia, entrance free;
May 27, 6pm, Museum of Unification, Plovdiv, entrance free;
May 28, 6.30pm to 9.30pm British Residence Sofia, tickets 20 leva
May 29– “Creativity is GREAT Britain”: “This House”, a new play by James Graham, Cinema City, Mall of Sofia, 7pm.
Biting, energetic and critically-acclaimed play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes who roll up their sleeves, and on occasion bend the rules, to manoeuvre a diverse and conflicting chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.
Tickets 12/15 leva, Cinema City
May 30 – June 12 – “Food is GREAT Britain”: British Food and Drinks Weeks in Piccadilly stores
Demonstration on May 30 by top British chef Alan Coxon in Piccadilly store, Serdika centre
Official opening by Ambassador Allen, May 30, 5pm
A variety of British food and drinks will be available in Piccadilly stores for 14 days. Live demonstration will be held throughout the first day by the chef Alan Coxon. He is an international culinary consultant, presenter and food archaeologist. He has worked in Michelin star restaurants in Monte Carlo, and as head chef opened the largest 4 star hotel in Europe.
Entrance free
May 30 – “Technology is GREAT Britain”: Exclusive launch of the new Jaguar F-Type and the new Range Rover, British Residence, in partnership with Moto-Pfohe
By invitation only
June 1 – “Heritage is GREAT Britain”: British Residence Open Day, 36, Vassil Levski bld, 10am to 4pm
The British Ambassador’s Residence is one of the most beautiful and interesting residential buildings in Sofia. Visitors will be able to see the main representational areas – Ballroom, Dining room, Drawing Room, and learn interesting facts about them. The Residence garden will also be open to the public, where information about the plants will be on display.
Guests will have the opportunity to taste traditional English tea and cakes, and photographer Blaga Dimitrova will be offering pictures from her project “Bez granici“. All proceeds will go to Bulgarian charity projects.
The event will be hosted by the British Ambassador Jonathan Allen and his wife, Liz.
Entrance free
June 2 to 8 – “This is GREAT Britain”: Competitions in different media
Find out interesting facts about the UK and the strong ties between Bulgaria and the UK. This will also include the opportunity for you to win GREAT British prizes, through competitions on the internet and radio.
June 3 to 11 – “Food is GREAT Britain” – British Bio Week, Balev Bio Market, the Mall, Sofia
Official opening by Ambassador Allen, June 3, 5pm
Visitors will have the opportunity to find out more about gluten free flours and other organic/bio products from the UK. Margaret Marriage from Dove’s farm – a leading British organic flour producer, will make live demonstrations. Come and taste Margaret’s bakery specialties!
Free entrance
June 4 – “Business is GREAT Britain”: British Business Lunchtime event on energy with British Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce
Three Britons working in Bulgaria will share perspective on energy, followed by a networking lunch.
Further information on BBCC website: www.bbcc.bg
June 4 – “Technology is GREAT Britain”: Screening of “Wings over Everest”, Polish Cultural Institute, 6pm to 8.30pm
Address by Ambassador Allen
Douglas Douglas-Hamilton was chief pilot on the first flight over Mount Everest in 1933. It was also the first detailed and scientific survey of the Himalaya region.
“Wings over Everest” is a 1934 British short documentary film directed by Geoffrey Barkas and Ivor Montagu. It won an Academy Award in 1936 for Best Short Subject.
Tickets, Polish Cultural Institute
June 5 – “Culture is GREAT Britain”: Screening of the film “Portrait of a Quest”, British Residence, 6pm to 8pm
“Portrait of a Quest” by Ekaterina Dimitrova is a short history on the Gospels of Tsar Ivan Alexander housed in the British Library. The Gospels is the outstanding treasure of a cultural and spiritual Renaissance in the 14th century Bulgaria. It contains 367 miniatures, among them an outstanding portrait of the Tsar himself and his family.
Ekaterina Dimitrova is also the author of the book “The Gospels of Tsar Ivan Alexander”, published by The British Library.
By invitation only
June 6 – “Creativity is GREAT Britain”: “Void Story” performance by forced entertainment, Lumiere Cinema, Sofia, 7pm
Void Story follows a beleaguered pair of protagonists on a rollercoaster ride through the decimated remains of contemporary culture. Void Story takes place between live dialogue, recorded sound effects and collaged images attempting to visualise the narrative.
Tickets 6/10 leva, Lumiere Cinema
June 6 – “Business is GREAT Britain”: Speech by the British Ambassador at the International Nuclear Forum, Varna
The conference will take place within the period June 5 to 7 2013, focusing on national, regional and world energy security.
“For the whole of Europe, we need to be thinking hard about how to improve our cross border interconnectors to drive forward dynamic electricity markets. In the UK, we have considerable financial, project management and cost consultancy experience. We have some of the world’s best companies in this area.”
Further information: www.bulatom-bg.org
June 6 – “Business is GREAT Britain”: British Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce reception, Varna
As honorary president of the BBCC, Ambassador Allen will host a reception for BBCC members and leading members of the Varna business community. This is a great opportunity to meet the Embassy’s UK Trade and Investment and understand the advantages of Chamber membership.
Further information at www.bbcc.bg
June 7 – “Creativity is GREAT Britain”: FameLab Finals – live, British Council, 7, Krakra str., Palaveev room, 8.30pm
FameLab is an exciting competition to find the new voices of science and engineering across the world.
It was started in 2005 in the UK by Cheltenham Science Festival. Since 2007, thanks to a partnership with the British Council, FameLab has gone global, with competitions now held in 20 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States.
Twenty national finalists will come together in Cheltenham for the International Grand final which is broadcast live on the internet.
Free entrance, RSVP: [email protected]
June 7 – “Music is GREAT Britain”: Concert by Swindon Choir, British Residence, 36 Vassil Levski bld, 18:00-20:00
Swindon Male Voice Choir has over 55 members who enjoy singing and harmonising to produce a beautiful sound. The choir is led by a very experienced Director of Music, Max Brockman-More, and supported by Kate Lock, Deputy Director of Music and Francis Couldridge, full time Accompanist.
Free entrance, RSVP: [email protected]
June 8 –“Creativity is GREAT”: “Void Story” performance as part of Varna Summer Theatre Festival
“Void Story” follows a beleaguered pair of protagonists on a rollercoaster ride through the decimated remains of contemporary culture. “Void Story” takes place between live dialogue, recorded sound effects and collaged images attempting to visualise the narrative.
Tickets, Stoyan Buchvarov” Theatre, Varna
June 10 – “This is GREAT Britain”: Consular Campaign Launch, Sunny Beach
The British Embassy in Bulgaria is launching a campaign aimed at Britons visiting the Bulgarian Black Sea resorts this summer to provoke and trigger some common sense steps to protecting themselves and their property.
For British nationals preparing for travel abroad, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
