BgFACE Awards Celebrate Bulgarian Culture In Los Angeles

On the evening of November 6th, the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Los Angeles presented a major cultural event featuring two parts: the Fourth Bulgarian Awards for Art, Culture, Education, and Science, organized by the BgFACE Foundation – Bulgarian Foundation for Art, Culture and Education, and the first concert of the organization “Bulgarian Classical Concerts – LA”, dedicated entirely to Bulgarian classical music. ** ** The festive evening was held at the prestigious Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel and gathered hundreds of distinguished representatives of the Bulgarian and Jewish communities, members of the diplomatic corps, local authorities from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, artists, public figures, and friends of Bulgaria from across the U.S. West Coast. ** ** Bulgarian Awards for Art, Culture, Education, and Science ** ** At the ceremony, organized by the BgFACE Foundation and the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles, outstanding individuals and organizations were recognized for their contributions to the promotion of Bulgarian culture, science, and education in the United States: ** ** Category “Art”: Bronislav (Broni) Likomanov, sculptor, painter, and animator, for his remarkable contribution as the author of the monumental sculpture dedicated to the Bulgarian Alphabet, soon to be installed in Los Angeles — a symbol of Bulgaria’s spiritual heritage throughout the world. ** ** Category “Science”: Dr. Dimitar Arnaudov, Clinical Professor of Anaesthesiology and Head of the Neuro Anaesthesiology Division at the University of Southern California (USC), for his high professional achievements and his dedication and care for the Bulgarian community in Los Angeles. ** ** Category “Education”: Bulgarian School of Seattle, with its founder and director Angela Husheva, for its outstanding contribution to teaching the Bulgarian language and preserving national identity and cultural heritage among young Bulgarians in the U.S. ** ** Category “Culture”: The Bulgarian Association in Nevada, for its exceptional role in preserving and promoting Bulgarian culture and its inspiring work with future generations. ** ** Special Awards ** ** The Special Award of the President of the BgFACE Foundation was presented to internationally acclaimed actress and singer Irina Maleeva, in recognition of her distinguished artistic career, philanthropy, and devotion to supporting Bulgarian cultural initiatives in Los Angeles. ** ** The Special Award of the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Los Angeles was presented to Mr. Svetlin Todorov, technological leader and CEO of Shelly US, one of the fastest-growing smart-home companies in the world, for his exceptional support of Bulgarian cultural and business initiatives and his active contribution to promoting Bulgaria in the United States. ** ** As a gesture of appreciation for his longstanding support of Bulgarian cultural events, community leadership, and promotion of Bulgaria across the western states, the BgFACE Foundation presented Mr. Boyko Hristov, Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Los Angeles, with an honorary diploma and the foundation’s bronze statuette — a miniature of the monument to the Bulgarian Alphabet that will be installed in Los Angeles. The award symbolizes deep respect for his contribution to the development of Bulgarian cultural and community life in the United States. ** ** Concert of “Bulgarian Classical Concerts – LA” ** ** The second part of the evening featured the inaugural concert of Bulgarian Classical Concerts – LA, marking an impressive beginning for the new nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting Bulgarian classical music to American audiences and promoting cultural exchange between Bulgaria and the U.S. ** ** The program included three world premieres and several U.S. debuts, showcasing the contemporary face of the Bulgarian school of composition. ** ** The concert featured a remarkable instrument – the violin of Cantor Isaac Behar, part of the renowned “Violins of Hope” project, generously provided by his descendants. Born in Bulgaria, Cantor Isaac Behar was one of 48,000 Bulgarian Jews saved from the Nazi death camps during World War II. The violin was played by violinist Blagomira Lipari, whose moving performance became a touching symbol of Bulgarian-Jewish friendship and the power of music to unite people and cultures. ** ** The evening concluded with a dazzling performance by actress, singer, and producer Irina Maleeva, a true star of American and European cinema and theater, discovered for the screen by the legendary Federico Fellini. She performed two songs from her original show “Illusions”, created in collaboration with Broadway director and playwright Randy Johnson, turning the stage into a poetic fusion of words, music, and emotion. ** ** In addition to Irina Maleeva, Irina Chirkova and Penka Kouneva presented their own works, joined by world-class Bulgarian and American musicians: Moni Simeonov, Blagomira Lipari, Boryana Popova (violin), Ariana Solotoff (viola), Clara Cheng (piano), Michele Brourman (American composer and pianist), Janice Levy (vocal), and Carter Williams (harp). ** ** The entire event will be broadcast by Jewish Life Television (JLTV) — a national American television network with an audience of 50 million in the U.S. and Canada — media partner of the initiative, which will produce a special feature dedicated to Bulgarian culture.