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Ed. VII, May 2013 1.
Alex Petrova's Talent Recognized Alex
Petrova's Talent Recognized Alexandra
(Alex) Petrova is one of the two young talents who were awarded Mithra's scholarships last year. Mithra
International is very proud to announce that Alex, an eight-grade student at the National School of Musis in Sofia, Bulgaria,
won a bronze medal at the The Orpheus' Gift National Youth Competition for Music and Dance. The competition was held in
March 2013 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The goal of the forum is to provide a venue for young talents in the field of music and dance.
Alex participated with a traditional Bulgarian chants from Shopluka, the region where Sofia is located.
Nestled in a serene park among century-old sequoia trees is one of Bulgarian “crown jewels” – the Boyana Church. Hidden in the foot of the Vitosha mountain the Boyana Church has survived for over ten tumultuous centuries. It is an example of the medieval Bulgarian orthodox church architecture and is composed of three parts built in the late X – XI centuries (east wing), XIII century (central wing) and XIX century (west wing). Although chronologically the Boyana Church belongs to the Middle Ages, spiritually it is a breathtaking example of the early Renaissance art preceding the great Italian Renaissance masters by 200 years. It owes its world fame to the magnificent frescoes that cover the entire interior surface of its walls and dome. Although there are several layers of murals from different time periods, those with the greatest artistic value date back to the twelve hundreds. They form a second layer over the paintings from earlier centuries and represent one of the most complete and well-preserved monuments of the mediaeval art of Eastern Europe. While reflecting the Byzantine canon, the images have a special spiritual expressiveness and vitality. The soft lines of the architecture are harmonious with the stunning features of the personages and their internal world. Words can hardly describe the eternal beauty of the frescoes. It is only the eyes and the soul that sink in the Boyana Church atmosphere and carry it away for ever.
Please, click to see a short clip about the Boyana Church. Mithra International Foundation Scholarship Awards Just before Christmas, on
December 18, 2012 Mithra International Foundation awarded its first scholarships. In 2012, the scholarships were in the category
“Bulgarian and Classical Music”. After a careful selection by a special committee, Alexanrda Petrova and Samuil
Travlev, students at the National School for Music “Liubomir Pipkov” in Sofia, Bulgaria,
were presented with one-time scholarships of BGN 400.- for their achievements. The scholarships were presented by Dr. Christian
Takoff, Managing Director of Mithra International’s branch in Bulgaria, Ms. Angelina Pashmakova and Ms. Dimitrina Koleva
of Mithra International.  
Samuil is a piano performance student in seventh grade. He has won multiple awards at national and international competitions
in his age group. In 2011, Samuil also attended a master class with Prof. Alexander Hinchev. Currently, Samuil is preparing
for the spring New Bulgarian Music Festival at which he will be performing. Ed. V, October 2012 In this edition: Meet Mithra International's
New Member of the Board of Directors Mithra International
Recognized for Its Philanthropic Endeavors
Mithra
International Welcomes Aboard We would like to welcome Ms. Tania Laakmann to Mithra’s Board of Directors. Tania is a member of the Association of the Bulgarian Artists. She holds a MA in Textile and Fashion from the National Academy for Fine Arts in Sofia and a PhD in Fashion Design. She has been a professor at the Varna Free University where she discovered the pleasure of sharing her knowledge and experience with young people and motivating their creativity and love for design. For 18 years Tania has been the lead instructor at the National Innovative School in Sofia. In 2005 Tania founded her own company, Tiara Style, thus making a dream come true. “I have always been attracted by the idea of eco-production. For me, it is an inner feeling and a view on the world we all live in.” Tania’s public appearances include a number of fashion shows, projects, participation on different committees and charitable work. She is also the art director of the first Bulgarian film-fashion show. In 2011, Tania approached Mithra and offered her assistance with the artistic aspect of Mithra’s promotional materials and fundraising activities. Her experience as an educator and artist is invaluable for Mithra’s endeavors. We wish Tania a lot of energy and inspiration while achieving the high goals set for Mithra.
Mithra International and EWI share the same passion for literacy, education and philanthropy.
For years, EWI has been organizing Reading Rallies in the Detroit-Windsor area. Annually, EWI presents its Angel Awards to
non-profit organizations that share EWI mission to campaign for literacy. The funds for its charitable activities EWI raises
at different events.
In recognition of her charitable
work, EWI invited Mithra's President, Ms. Dimitrina Koleva, to join the Board of Directors of the Detroit-Windsor Chapter.
Ms. Koleva is the current Director of Ways & Means, EWI fundraiser program. Edition IV, May 2012 May
24: The Day of Bulgarian Culture
The Roberto Clemente Academy is located in Detroit, Michigan. It is named after
the American baseball legend who became a larger than life figure in his native Puerto Rico and Latin America through his
philanthropy. "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't do it, you are
wasting your time on Earth”, Clemente said. Determined to follow Roberto Clemente’s example, teachers, students
and parents all work together towards a better future. The Academy has a predominantly Hispanic population. Some of the
youngest students have difficulty understanding English when they make their first steps in school. However, with the help
and loving support of their teachers and the community the students at the Roberto Clemente Academy strive to achieve excellence
in everything they do.
On May 2, 2012, the Academy and the non-profit organization “Bridgepointe” of Detroit organized “Around the World Day” at the school. Dimi Koleva of Mithra International was invited to present Bulgaria at the event. Together with Ms. Tania Laakmann and Mr. Ivo Kirkov, visiting artists from Bulgaria who also teach art and design at the Sofia National School and the New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dimi Koleva went to Roberto Clemente Academy. There, they were welcomed by Ms. Freddy Hanmore's class of first-graders. The children were already acquainted with Bulgaria and were working with paper in white, green and red – the colors of the Bulgarian national flag. Dimi showed the young students pictures of her native Bulgaria. She introduced them to the essential rose oil – the most precious Bulgarian product. The children were able to smell the magnificent aroma of the famous Bulgarian rose. Then, they learnt about the Cyrillic alphabet – Bulgaria’s most important contribution to the world’s culture and civilization. The children were able to see an authentic Bulgarian traditional woman’s costume, courtesy of the Bulgarian Cultural Center in Detroit, as well as the traditional wooden rose vials. Finally, the students located Bulgaria on the globe – a tiny spot in Europe of the same color as the United States.
“Mithra International’s mission is to promote Bulgaria and its rich cultural heritage. When Ms. Sue Simcox
of Bridgepointe contacted me and proposed me to join the “Around the World Day” at Roberto Clemente Academy, I
saw an opportunity to introduce the students to Bulgaria, a country about which they may never hear otherwise. Tania, Ivo
and I were amazed by the preparation work their teacher, Ms. Freddy Hanmore, had done: the colors of our national flag were
all around to be seen, there was a powerpoint presentation with pictures from Bulgaria running, there was a wall board with
photos and children's poetry from Bulgaria... There was even a surprise waiting for us at the end of the class. My heart
was full of love for these young friends of Bulgaria and pride of being Bulgarian.” As a token of friendship the students had made bead bracelets, most of them in
the white-green-red colors. Taking their goodbyes they gave the bracelets to their Bulgarian guests. A little boy approached
Dimi and said: “When I grow up, I will come to Bulgaria.” “I will be there for you”, Dimi answered.
Edition III, May 24, 2011 May
24: The Day of Bulgarian Culture Every year on May 24 Bulgarians celebrate the Day of Bulgarian Culture and Enlightenment. This
year we dedicate the May 24th edition of MITHRA Gazette to the St. Seven Holy Men (Sv. Sedmochislenitsi), the holy brothers
St. St. Cyril and Methodius and their disciples, St.
St. Kliment, Naum, Gorazd, Angelarii and Sava. In this edition Learn about the Cyrillic alphabet
and the St. Seven Holy Men.
The Cyrillic Alphabet and St. Seven Holy Men
 It
is February. In the United States everybody is curious whether Punxsutawney Phil,
the groundhog, would see its shade on Groundhog’s Day thus predicting how far the spring is. In Bulgaria,
the arrival of the long-awaited spring is celebrated on March 1st. Bulgarians affectionately call the day “Baba
Marta” (“Old wife Marta” from “mart” which means March in Bulgarian). According to the tradition, Baba Marta is
quite a temperamental old lady who changes the weather in March depending on her mood: if she smiles – the Sun shines;
if she is sulky – the skies turn grey and there could be even a snow flurry. Some people say that when she cleans her
home and her down pillows and covers, snow starts falling. It is believed that Baba Marta is a cleanliness freak and would
enter only clean and tidy homes. Thus, following an ancient custom Bulgarians do their spring cleaning in the month of February
to get rid of all bad, old and unnecessary buildup from the past year and to avoid irritating Baba Marta. If you are in Bulgaria on the first day of
or during the month of March you will see everyone wearing a white-and-read symbol (white stands for joy, and read –
for good health). This tiny or humongous (depending on the person’s or their loved ones’ taste) piece is called
“martenitsa”. On March 1st, Bulgarians are prepared to give martenitsa-s not only to their family and
friends but almost to everyone they meet on the day with the traditional wishes for good health and lots of joy.
In the country, people decorate their young domestic animals: lambs, kids, foals, as well as their fruit trees, the
handles of the doors, the vineyards. Traditionally, a martenitsa is presented to a lady with a small bunch of snowdrops and
crocuses – the first flowers that show above the snow of the winter months. Martenitsa-s are made of red and white weaved wool, silk
or cotton yarn and can be additionally decorated with beads, small coins or colorful threads. In some regions garlic, snail's
shells, horse's tail hairs are added to the white and read yarn. The latter indicate the origins of the martenitsa: in
pagan times it was an amulet against evil spirits and demons. In different regions of Bulgaria people wear martenitsa for a certain period according
to local custom. Usually when they see the first signs of spring, a blooming tree or a stork, they would take off their martenitsa
and tie it to a blooming tree thus marking the transition from winter to spring.
Although Bulgarians believe
that Baba Marta and martenitsa-s are a uniquely Bulgarian way to celebrate the coming spring, there is another nation which
has a similar holiday. On March 1, Romanians celebrate “Mărţişor” with white-and-red mărţişor
and bouquets of snowdrops. The month of March in
Bulgarian folklore is related to the Nature’s rebirth in springtime. Thus, on the first day of March Bulgarians welcome
the spring with the hope that it will bring beauty and abundance in their lives. Happy Baba Marta!
Edition I, May 2010
Every year on May 24th Bulgaria celebrates the lives and work of the holy borthers St. Constantine-Cyril and
Methodius, the creators of the first Slavonic alphabet and body of literature. May 24th is also known as "The Day
of the Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture" on which Bulgarians honor their co-patriots' achievements in the
field of culture, art, science and education. |
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The
father, Leo, was Greek and held a high position in the Byzantine administration. The mother, legend has it, was Slavic. Thus,
the two brothers were fluent in Greek as well as in the local Slavic language since young age. In his youth, the younger brother
Constantine was sent to the famous Magnaura Academy in Constantinople where he studied under the supervision of the most brilliant minds of the period. There, he excelled
in linguistics and science but mostly in philosophy. On his graduation, he was given the honorary “philosphos”.
Thus, until almost the end of his life, he was known as Constantine the Philosopher. His excellent education and affinity to languages provided Constantine with the opportunity of a brilliant career at the Byzantine
royal court. There, he rapidly advanced and took part in two important political missions – with the Saracens
(the Arabs), and the Khazars at the outskirts of the Byzantine Empire. In addition to promoting Christianity, he gained further experience in the languages of the periphery of the Empire,
Hebrew, Samaritan, Syrian, and was able to study examples of early runes. The most remarkable
achievement of the two brothers was the creation of the Slavonic alphabet, considered to be one of the most important and
influential linguistic inventions in Europe. In the
middle of the 9th century, a new script, that of the Slavs, appeared on the Balkans and in Europe – the Glagolitic alphabet. While
based on the existing alphabets, with which Constantine
was well acquainted (Hebrew, Coptic, Ethiopian and Samaritan), what was extremely important was the creation of unique letters
for specific Slavic sounds. The Glagolitic alphabet was used for the first translations of the holy books into the spoken
language of the Slavic peoples.
In 863, Constantine-Cyril and Methodius were sent on their first mission to the court of Prince Rostislav
the Great in Great Moravia, one of the biggest Slavic countries, in an attempt to establish preaching in Slavonic language.
However, there the two brothers experienced the fierce opposition of the German priests who were trying to enforce Latin as
the language of the Church as a barrier against Byzantine influences and the Orthodox Christianity. At the request of Pope
Hadrian II, the two brothers went to Rome to explain their mission, and there Constantine the Philosopher was
commissioned with overcoming the trilingual dogma that only Greek, Latin and Hebrew were the liturgical languages of
the Christendom since "those were the three languages in which Pilate ordered the Lord's cross to be inscribed."[1] Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher and
Methodius strenuously opposed this interpretation of the gospel. Clemente of Ochrid, one of the
Brothers’ closest disciples, described the dispute between the Pope and Constantine the Philosopher in his The Life
of Constantine: With the blessing of the Pope, the Slavonic gospels were consecrated
in a ceremony in the Sta. Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome.
Constantine became a monk and accepted the name of
Cyril, the name that would be given to the alphabet honoring his life’s work. Unfortunately, in Rome, Constantine-Cyril fell ill and died on Feb.
14, 869 (a day the Catholic Church now celebrates as the day of the Holy Brothers). In
recognition of Cyril’s apostolic life Pope Hadrian II offered a papal burial in the San Pietro Cathedral in Rome. Methodius refused and asked his brother to be buried in the
modest San Clemente basilica. It is interesting to
note that the basilica was built atop an ancient Mithraic temple. Basilica San Clemente, Rome, Italy
After Constantine-Cyril’s death, the Pope gave Methodius the title of Archbishop of Sermium,
granted him jurisdiction over all Moravia and Panonia, and authorized the use of Slavonic liturgy. Archbishop Methodius
died on April 6, 885. The creation of the Slavonic alphabet and the apostolic mission of Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher
and Methodius is considered so important for the development of the European culture that Pope John Paul II named the holy
brothers guardians of Europe together with St. Benedict. Acknowledgements: This article is primarily based on the research
of the world renowned slavist, Dr. Axinia Djurova. It was compiled and edited by D. Koleva and A. Plous. [1] Vladimir Topencharov, Cyril the Philosopher - ABC of the Renaissance |
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