BgFACE distinguishes Bulgarians on the U.S. West Coast for third year in a row

The Bulgarian community on the US West Coast gathered in the City of Angels to pay tribute to their deserving compatriots. The Bulgarian Consulate hosted the Bulgarian Awards for Art, Science, Education and Culture, organized by the BgFACE non-governmental organization.

The beloved Bulgarian actor Dimitar Marinov, who has starred in numerous American and Bulgarian film productions, who waved the national flag on stage at the Oscars, was honored in the Arts category.

The award in the Culture category went to the Bulgarian Education and Culture Society Pchela, which unites the Bulgarian community in Orange County and Los Angeles around a number of cultural events presenting Bulgarian traditions.

Boris Minev's research in the field of vaccines against cancer earned him the recognition in the Science area, and in the Education category the prize went to the Bulgarian School "Khan Asparuh", which has two branches in the Californian cities of Sunnyvale and Concord.

"This year the special award of the Consulate General was given to the world-renowned plastic surgeon Nicholas Nikolov, whose efforts to promote Bulgaria are tireless. His initiative to operate free of charge on those in need of complex surgeries in Bulgaria and to pass on his experience deserves admiration," we read in the Consulate's publication.

The Bulgarian Awards for Art, Science, Education and Culture are held annually on the occasion of the Day of the National Enlighteners - November 1. In this way, the BgFACE NGO celebrates the tireless efforts of the Bulgarian diaspora to elevate the Bulgarian culture, science, education and art on a global level.

The non-governmental organization BgFACE was created with the mission to unite Bulgarians from different states on the West Coast of the United States by showcasing and honoring contemporary awakeners. Its chairman is the successful lawyer and Honorary Consul of Bulgaria for Northern California and Silicon Valley, Mr. Ognyan Gavrilov. This year, unforeseen circumstances caused him to be unable to attend the event in person and the awards were presented by Mr. Vasil Mihalev, a member of the Board of Directors and a tireless driving force behind the Foundation in Los Angeles, announces the Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Photos: Facebook/Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles