A Celebration of Bulgarian National Day at The Field Museum in Chicago

Bulgarian National Day (March 3) was celebrated at The Field Museum in Chicago in the magnificent atmosphere of the Founder’s Room. The event was organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Chicago with the collaboration of the ABF Archaeological Program at The Field Museum, and the US Office of the American Research Center in Sofia. More than 200 people attended the reception.

Guests were welcomed on the main floor of the museum by an exhibition of 25 paintings of local Bulgarian artists, members of the informal union “Bulgarian Artists Abroad”. A girl and a boy in traditional Bulgarian costumes gave each of the visitors Martenitsi as they entered the Founder’s Room. The gift was made according to the Bulgarian tradition with a wish for good health and happiness throughout the year.

Dr. William Parkinson, director of the ABF Archaeological Program at the FM and associate curator, opened the reception by welcoming the guests. He introduced Prof. Shari Stocker, Chair of the Board of Trustees of ARCS. Dr. Stocker enthusiastically welcomed the Chicago diplomats, Bulgarian officials, representatives of the Bulgarian cultural and education institutions in Illinois, and other guests. Dr. Stocker spoke in honor of Bulgarian National Day and expressed her pleasure regarding the ongoing relationship between ARCS, The Field Museum, and the Bulgarian General Consulate in Chicago.

Mrs. Rebecca Sanchez, Senior Advisor on Diplomatic Affairs, and Mr. Pat Quinn, Business Development at the office of the Governor of the State of Illinois, presented a greeting from the Governor in honor of Bulgarian National Day to the Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago. Greetings from the Mayor of the City of Chicago, Mr. Rahm Emanuel, and the Attorney General, Mrs. Lisa Madigan, were also read at the event.

As the primary organizer of the event, the Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Chicago, Mr. Simeon Stoilov, saluted the audience. He spoke of the importance of the Bulgarian liberation from the Ottoman Empire on March 3, 1878 for the development of the Bulgarian nation. Moreover, the Consul General emphasized the fact that Bulgaria recently joined NATO and the European Union and that the Bulgarians are determined to preserve democratic freedoms and to maintain good and productive communication with other nations, especially with the USA. Mr. Simeon Stoilov thanked the representatives of The Field Museum for hosting the event. He also expressed his gratitude towards the American Research Center in Sofia for facilitating the reception in the beautiful environment of the Founder’s Room. Mr. Stoilov shared his belief that this successful partnership of Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria, the American Research Center in Sofia, and The Field Museum in Chicago will continue to heighten the visibility of the Bulgarian community in Chicago. He added that by having the event in this famous institution, the Bulgarians in Chicago will become more familiar with The Field Museum.

Among the guests of the reception were many diplomats, representatives of the local municipal, state and federal authorities, distinguished members of the Bulgarian-American Community, cultural, educational and religious leaders, and many friends of Bulgaria. Dr. Nora Dimitrova Clinton, co-founder of ARCS, was also among the audience.

Music by the Bulgarian composer Stetoslav Obretenov, presented by the famous Bulgarian piano player Ani Guigova, concluded the official program. All the guests had the opportunity to enjoy Bulgarian delicacies.

On the cold night of March 3, 2014, The Field Museum warmly hosted one of the most successful events for Bulgarians in Chicago. We hope this event will be one of many similar celebrations of Bulgarian culture and history in Chicago as a way to strengthen Bulgarian-American ties and to promote the Bulgarian nation abroad.