U.S. military service members currently deployed at the Novo Selo Join Training Area celebrated the arrival of spring in true Bulgarian style! They attended the March 1st festivities at the “Virgin and Hayk Papazyan” Kindergarten in Sliven, where they joined workshops with children of different ages to learn how to make traditional Bulgarian martenitsa, and enjoyed Bulgarian folk dances and songs. U.S. service members engage on a regular basis in charity activities in Sliven region as a sign of appreciation for the hospitality of their Bulgarian host communities. Days before Christmas in 2018, they visited three kindergartens and schools in Sliven region, including the “Virdzhin Papazyan” Kindergarten, and delivered over $1,000 USD worth of toys and school supplies.
