Elka Ruskova from Seattle Wins the 15th 'Bulgarian Woman of the Year – St Zlata' of Meglen Award

Elka Ruskova, from Seattle, has been named Bulgarian Woman of the Year – St Zlata of Meglen. The award recognises women who help preserve the Bulgarian language, culture and national identity abroad.

The award has been presented for the 15th time by the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.

The prize is associated with paying tribute to the courage of Spaska Mitrova, who faced persecution and imprisonment in North Macedonia, and Kostadinka Kuneva, who was injured in an acid attack in Greece because of her trade union activities.

Plaques were also presented to Bulgarian women who have worked over the years to preserve the country’s national identity abroad.

Elka Ruskova, winner of the Bulgarian Woman of the Year – St Zlata of Meglen award: “The Bulgarian diaspora in America is one of the most distant from our homeland. For me, this means connection, love and responsibility. Behind that connection lies the desire to promote our homeland and ensure that we never lose our ties with it.”

Rayna Mandzhukova, Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad: “Sooner or later, this connection finds a way to express itself. It is always there, and one proof of this is the folk dance groups in which men and women perform even though they have never set foot on a stage in Bulgaria.”