Bulgarians show generosity beyond the holidays

In the run-up to major Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas, Bulgarians tend to open their hearts and support causes raising funds for medical treatment or help for people in need. But is this compassion and generosity limited to the festive season? It can seem that way, as more stories and personal accounts come to the fore at this time of year. In reality, many people do not need a special occasion to lend a helping hand.

“They do it quietly too, through monthly donations,” says Elena Dyulgerova, one of the founders of the charitable initiative Skriti Limonki. What began as a women’s football team has, over the past five or six years, focused mainly on selling books for charity.

“One day, a girl from our team asked if we would join a charity book sale. We immediately agreed and contributed some of our own books. At first, we were selling them among ourselves. Later, the initiative reached more people and we began receiving books others no longer wanted. All the money raised goes to the person whose campaign we have chosen to support.”

Another initiative by Skriti Limonki is also gathering pace. The group visits schools, meeting pupils of different ages to talk about kindness — how it spreads and how it can change even one person’s life.

“This is a project we’ve only done twice so far, but it’s incredibly rewarding and uplifting. We try not to overload the children with too much information. It was important to me that the lesson felt engaging, so we included games — some with football, others with literature and a bit of maths. Games are the best way to reach them; they remember far more that way than from dry facts. At the end, each child brought along their favourite book they had already read. Once we’ve sold all the books, we’ll go back and show them how their contributions have helped.”

“Goodness doesn’t have a fixed definition — everyone finds their own way to it,” says Iliyan Rusev from Ruse, who has spent 27 years working as a swimming coach. Determined to fulfil the dream of his late son, Aleksandar, he is steadily working to build a water rehabilitation centre in the Danube city. The project is funded entirely through donations to the Aleksandar Rusev Foundation, while the land has been provided free of charge by the Ruse Municipal Council.

“The centre will have three pools on the ground floor. Upstairs, there will be a multisensory room, along with spaces for psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists. A salt room is also planned in the basement.”

The idea is to bring everything under one roof, so children and adults with special needs can receive the care and support they need in one place, rather than having to travel across the city as they do now.

In recognition of his dedication over the past 12 years — during which his swimmers have won three international cups and seven national titles in adapted swimming — Rusev received a special award from bTV in 2025 as part of Bulgarian National Radio’s “Awakener of the Year” initiative.

“I wouldn’t call myself an awakener — I don’t feel like one,” Rusev says. “My job is simply to help children and adults in need. People may see it as something good, but for me, awakeners are figures like Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, Paisius of Hilendar and Ivan Vazov. Still, I’m grateful for the nomination. I wish everyone good health, and hope we can all be a bit more understanding and humble, and help others in whatever way we can.”

Stories like his are just two among many. They show that, despite the challenges people face and the times we live in, there is still a quiet belief that things can be better — and that even the smallest act of kindness can make a real difference in someone’s life.

Editor: Elena Karkalanova