How was the Zornitsa newspaper born?
When my family arrived in Montreal, I found out that in
the last 10 years the connection between the Bulgarians
in the city had become loose. I made a proposal to the chairman
of the Bulgarian association to organize a concert of Vanya
Kostova. I also proposed the creation of a Bulgarian newspaper
with the collaboration of a journalist who lived in Montreal
but they refused that. Maybe people did not believe that
something might come out of this.
But we had a great desire to preserve our Bulgarian spirit,
and I love to be involved in organizational activities,
my husband was of a great support to me – financially, technically
and morally. He supported the realization of the concerts,
of the newspaper, of the Bulgarian school as well as of
the Bulgarian library and children’s exhibitions, of the
first discotheque and the first steps for the creation of
the Bulgarian church. What was the secret? There was no
secret! Our great desire and love was everything that supported
us.
We began that activity in September, 2001. The first events
were on December 5, 2001 when Georgi Hrsitov was our guest,
on December 16, 2001 – Vanya Kostova. December 20, 2001
was the date of the first issue of the newspaper and March
3, 2002 was the date of the foundation of the Bulgarian
school. For the first two years our cultural center Zornitsa
has organized 51 Bulgarian events. The Zornitsa newspaper
also helped because it successfully made the connection
between Bulgarians, it inspired them with enthusiasm and
faith and it remained loyal to its idea.
I know I might sound too enthusiastic and eager, but this
is what my heart feels and this is what my words say! I
think that our team deserves to be proud about those first
two years. We managed to touch a lot of hearts, to evoke
a lot of smiles and to light a sparkle of hope in Bulgarians
and to do it not only in those who live in Montreal!
We received many strikes but also a lot of love and gratitude!
This is enough for us.
To all Bulgarians who have the desire to maintain the
Bulgarian spirit, wherever they are now, in this very moment,
I wish them to be themselves and to be more daring optimists!
Iva Belichka
