Feverish excitement filled NDK as old friends whooped and fell into each other’s arms. Such was the ecstasy displayed during a sometimes teary-eyed reunion at a news conference about the 20th anniversary celebrations of the International Women’s Club (IWC) of Sofia on December 12 that outsiders could feel a trifle "de trop".  

Yes, it’s true - the organisation, which welcomes the non-working spouses of busy menfolk to Bulgaria and aims to give them an understanding of the country beyond the superficial "attractions" of shopska and boza (snort), has now existed since before the fall of communism, from March 1989 in fact. Not that it’s strictly for outsiders - Bulgarian women have been admitted since 1999.

Judging by the rapturous pre-party reunion, perhaps the IWC’s most important achievement, however, is the longstanding friendships it has nurtured, many of which still endure despite oceans separating those involved. 

Significantly, everyone I met at NDK seemed to derive a dividend from their time in Bulgaria commensurate with their contribution, perhaps proving true the old adage that ‘tis better to give than to receive.

My first encounter was with Eileen Regan, a vivacious Liverpudlian-accented lady, now a resident of Newcastle. The shrinking violet type she certainly is not, so I was surprised to hear of her initial trepidation when she set foot in Bulgaria in 2001. "After waving my husband off to work, I found myself alone in Boyana with no friends, no language and no phone. Then I went to an event at the Kempinski Hotel. I arrived fearful but left fearless; I even found myself organising the Christmas bazaar that year," she says.

Eileen, whose husband was in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office involved in Bulgaria’s pre-accession to the European Union, became IWC president in 2002. She still hankers after Bulgaria; in fact, she says she’d like to return if she could only persuade her husband to do so.

Friendly, generous and warm people
Maria Novak, with her magnificent height and striking looks, could be mistaken - well, for a Sofian - but she’s actually Slovenian, something she admits made it easier for her to learn Bulgarian because both languages are part of the Slav stable. Maria, whose husband worked for Merck pharmaceuticals, became president of the IWC in 2004. "I enjoyed every single minute of it; I learned many new things, met many interesting people and had experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life," she said. 

American Cathy McElhannon looks like your quintessential all-American lady with her open, radiant features and charm. Her husband was a naval attache in Bulgaria; it turned out to be his only overseas posting. "I arrived in Sofia in January 2000 and was immediately invited to an IWC outing. Jet-lagged and a bit overwhelmed, I had no idea what a role the IWC would play in my life."

Cathy admits she felt spurred on to help Bulgarians knowing how privileged expatriates were to live in Sofia on Western salaries. Just a year after her arrival, in 2001, she served as IWC president. "Through IWC outings, receptions, art openings, and more I made friendships to last a lifetime. Through charity visits to hospitals, old people’s homes, orphanages and schools, I was able to witness what a difference the smallest gesture could make," she said. 

Cathy re-visited Bulgaria once after she and her husband returned to Virginia, many happy memories intact, albeit lost on some of her compatriots whom, she recounts laughingly, mistook Bulgaria for Bolivia and thought she’d been to South America! She describes Bulgarians as "friendly, generous and warm".

Current president Stephanie Congost, giving a presentation to mark the anniversary and the reunion during the press conference, reminded her audience that, despite the economic downturn, the recent Christmas bazaar had raised 300 000 leva, five times as much as proceeds from the Christmas bazaar in 2001, for example. She acknowledged that the bazaar could only become such a success thanks to the large number of Bulgarian visitors.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards social integration and de-institutionalisation programmes as well as scholarships to orphaned students in a continuation of the charity work that forms such a vital pillar of the IWC’s work.

All those present at the event looked forward to the next 20 years of the IWC in Bulgaria.