Mayor Portnih
Mr. Balabanov (Chairman, Municipal Council)
Mrs Kancheva, Mrs Hristova (Preschool Directors)
Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the warm welcome and the kind invitation to take part in today’s ribbon cutting ceremony.  It is my great pleasure and true honor to be here on this day of celebration; commemorating yet another effort in nurturing the development and happiness of our most valuable investment – our children.

As a result of the combined efforts of our strong U.S. – Bulgaria partnership, we are here today, to inaugurate the specially designed and superbly constructed playgrounds of Briz Kindergarten.  This project is a bright example of how our combined efforts can make a real and lasting difference for the youngest citizens of Bulgaria.  Last year in August, I had the pleasure to visit Varna’s Alen Mak kindergarten, to see the progress on the U.S. funded playground and to enjoy the beautiful dance and hospitality of the Alen Mak schoolchildren.  I believe our children represent the hope and dreams of our communities.  By investing in these two schools, we invest in the children of Bulgaria, which in turn is an investment in Bulgaria’s future and long-term prosperity.

I am proud of the partnership between our two countries and the numerous projects the United States Embassy has completed in Bulgaria with the support and cooperation of the U.S. Department of Defense.  Whether through economic cooperation, joint military deployments, or investment projects such as this one, our U.S. – Bulgaria partnership grows stronger with each passing day.  This holds especially true in the case of the Briz and Alen Mak kindergarten, where our combined efforts are helping Bulgaria’s youth.

The renovations of these playgrounds is the result of not only a $205,000 USD investment, but also the result of the passionate hard work and dedication of many individuals who came together to make this possible.  

Today my appreciation and praise goes to all those who helped execute these challenging projects.  I extend my gratitude to those who partnered with the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation.  Mayor Portnih, it was again my pleasure to partner with the Municipal Administration of Varna.  You and your team have my sincerest appreciation.  To the project contractor, ISS, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and professionalism.  And of course, to Directors Kancheva and Hristova, it is because of you and your staff’s exceptional commitment to these kindergartens and to the children of Varna that these projects are now reality.

May this facility serve Bulgaria’s children as a place of support and learning for many, many years to come.  Thank you!