A  Christmas Celebration was held in the office of Maria Papas in the City Hall with 90 ethnic Christmas trees. BAHC organized the decoration of the Bulgarian tree. 

BAHC organized the first Bulgarian film festival in Chicago – Bulgarian Heritage Days. The festival included a photo exhibit by the photographer Ivo Hadjimishev, different Bulgarian documentary films about the various archeological monuments in Buglarina, and lectures and presentations by Mr. Jordan Detev in several Bulgarian schools. 

After the festival in Chicago, the films were taken to the Champaign University, where Lorita Ivanova showcased them in front of students and professors. 

BAHC rewarded Mrs. Maria Papas for support and contributions to the BAHC activities. 

BAHC participated in the Fall Festival of the Bulgarian American Association “Bulgarian Days in Chicago”.

For the first time ,BAHC also participated at the SPOTLIGHT of Chicago,2009, Chicago Cultural  Center.  More than 100 cultural organizations were part of the event. Their information was entered into a print and online catalog.

Bulgarian Children’s Day was celebrated with a picnic organized by BAHC and Bulgarian American Association. The children drew one long chalk drawing together.

St. Kyril and Methodius Day - a celebration of Bulgarian culture and Slavic alphabet – was held with an art exhibit of the Bulgarian  

children’s drawings ARTphabet in the office of Maria Papas at the City Hall, Cook County. The program included performances by ensemble Horo and the Balkan Rhythms orchestra. 

BAHC organized an art exhibit called ARTphabet. Sixty four students from the Bulgarian schools in Chicago participated at ARC gallery&Foundation Education, Chicago with drawings of the Bulgarian alphabet. The children received recognition from the Bulgarian ConsulGeneral.

FEBRUARY 2009

Anniversary of national hero Vasil Levsky’s Day was celebrated in the Bulgarian church St. John of Rila. A photo exhibit was held in the hall of the church. 

BAHC organized an event with representatives of the State agency of Bulgarians Abroad. More than 300 students from Bulgarian schools were present. They received books and pictorial calendars while their parents learnt more about the activities of the agency. The Bulgarian dance ensemble “Horo” received traditional Bulgarian hats “kalpak”.

A Christmas Ball was organized with classic music from both Bulgarian and American musicians, like Rumen Arnaudov , Rosen Arnaudov, and Mark Sonksen.

A Bulgarian youth theatre was founded with the support of Tony Lukova and the participation of all Bulgarian schools in Chicago. The theatre is directed by Violeta Gindeva

BAHC and the Bulgarian General Consulate in Chicago organized a Bulgarian Independence Day celebration at the Daley Plaza. Ensemble Horo and the Balkan Rhythms Orchestra participated in the program.