Trustees’ Annual Report Year 2023/2024
1. BANI’s activities undertaken
BANI delivered over 15 face-to-face community events, activities and projects. These included the official marking of its 15 years of active community work, the completion of a unique artistic photography project entitled ‘Northern Ireland Through Our Eyes’ and its official launch, and a very successful first New Year’s Eve celebrations event. All activities provided BANI’s members with the opportunity to connect, network and socialise as well as share and showcase the best of the rich Bulgarian culture.
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22[nd ] Apr 2023 Bulgarian folk dance performance at Radius Housing Association’s multicultural concert in Coleraine
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30[th] Apr 2023 BANI’s official 15[th] Anniversary Celebration event in Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh. The event was attended by representatives of the Bulgarian Embassies in London and Dublin, the Honorary Consul for Bulgaria in Northern Ireland, the Chair of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, members of many partner community organisations and the local press.
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28[th] May 2023 Bulgarian folk dance performance in the ‘Raina Knyaginya’ Bulgarian Saturday School, Dublin
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3[rd] – 4[th] Jun 2023 Participation in the 8th Travelling Festival of Bulgarian Folk Dancing, Prague, the Czech Republic.
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11[th] Jun 2023 Support and assistance with the presentation of Bulgarian culture and folk dance at a charity event in Cavan, ROI.
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20[th] Aug 2023 Third professional photo session with Anita Hoppe Photography, at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, as part of the ‘Northern Ireland Through Our Eyes’ cultural project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
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27[h] Aug 2023 Fourth professional photo session with Anita Hoppe Photography, at Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, as part of the ‘Northern Ireland Through Our Eyes’ cultural project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
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22[nd] Sep 2023 Participation in a multi-cultural event in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan 29[th] Oct 2023 Official launch of the ‘Northern Ireland Through Our Eyes’ cultural project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The event was attended by project participants, Bulgarian community members, representatives of the National Lottery Community Fund, the Honorary Consul for Bulgaria in Northern Ireland and the local press. First exhibition display of the completed photography project in the Aonach Mhacha Centre, Armagh.
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19[th] Nov 2023 Assistance with and presentation of Bulgarian Culture at the Bulgarian stall at International Market, Dublin, ROI.
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10[th] Dec 2023 Participation in the multi-cultural Christmas celebrations in St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh organised by Omagh Ethnic Communities Support Group
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31[st] Dec 2023 Bulgarian Community and Friends New Year’s Eve Celebration Event in Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh
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1[st] Mar 2024 Display of the ‘Northern Ireland Through Our Eyes’ photography exhibition in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan
3[rd] Mar 2024
Bulgarian Culture presentation in the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, Lisburn at part of the Museum’s ‘Yours, Mine and Ours’ cultural project.
BANI continued to work in partnership with existing and new partners such as the Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, the National Lottery Community Fund, The Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, the Bulgarian Embassies in London and ROI, Bulgarian Saturday School in Dublin and many more.
2 Receipt of payment and expenses in FY 23/24
| In FY | 23/24 BANI received the following payments: | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance on 6thApril 2023 | £4,926.00 | |
| Dance and Culture Performances | £600.00 | |
| Donations and Raffle Tickets | £252.00 | |
| Grant (NLCF & ABC Council) | £ 0.00 | |
| In FY | 23/24 BANI had the following expenses: | |
| Venue Hire | £ 766.00 | |
| Promotion & Advertising | £ 100.00 | |
| Organisational Public Liability Insurance | £ 199.00 | |
| Administration | £ 69.00 | |
| Anniversary Event Cost | £1,600.00 | |
| Travel Costs | £ 536.00 | |
| Photography Project Costs | £1,500.00 | |
| In FY | 23/24 BANI accumulatively had the following assets: | |
| 3 x Sets of Costumes and Performance Materials | £4,492.00 | |
| Advertisement Materials | £ 378.00 | |
| IT Equipment | £ 780.00 | |
| In FY | 23/24 BANI had no liabilities. |
Closing Balance on 5[th] April 2024 £1,008.00
3 What difference we made
Through its varied and innovative activities, BANI delivered, for its members and the wider community, projects that met their needs and addressed their interests, and provided social and cultural community engagement. BANI sought new and innovative ways to widen its range of activities and appropriately respond to its community’s needs.
BANI designed, secured funding for and successfully completed and launched its unique artistic photography project entitled ‘Northern Ireland Through Our Eyes’. The project is a cultural fusion, featuring the beauty of the Bulgarian folk costumes and traditions on the background of iconic wellknown locations and buildings in Northern Ireland. It widens cultural horizons and strengthens national pride.
The marking of a major milestone that is BANI’s 15[th] anniversary, the new and creative photography project, the increasing number of new members, the heart-felt first-hand feedback and the invitation of many old and new partner organisations for joint work are a true measure of the real difference BANI made this year.