An initiative by the charities ZI Foundation and Little Bulgaria UK (Cambridge) brings together historical remembrance and a vision for a new partnership between the two cities. More than 500 signatures are needed for the proposal to be considered by Cambridge City Council.
Cambridge, 29 October 2026
Exactly 150 years ago, the people of Cambridge organised a charitable campaign to support Bulgarians who had suffered following the brutal suppression of the April Uprising of 1876. Representatives of the local authorities, the University of Cambridge and the wider community joined forces in this effort. Today, this historic act of solidarity inspires us to take the next step — the official twinning of Cambridge and Karlovo.
We are working towards this goal alongside our partners at the charity ZI Foundation. The initiative is already receiving strong community support: on 25 October, 98 Bulgarians and friends of Bulgaria signed in support of the initiative in Cambridge. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who took part!
Cambridge's Historic Act of Solidarity in 1876
Reports of the atrocities committed during the suppression of the April Uprising sparked a powerful reaction across Britain. Among the most prominent advocates for the Bulgarian cause was William Ewart Gladstone. In his pamphlet Bulgarian Horrors and the Question of the East, published in September 1876, he condemned the violence and called upon British society, including local authorities, to help those affected.
Cambridge responded with concrete action. In 1876, a public meeting was held in the Council Chamber of the then Guildhall, marking the beginning of an organised campaign to provide relief to the Bulgarian population. A charitable fund, the Turkish Atrocities Relief Fund, was established.
The history of this initiative is documented by Alessandro Falcetta in his biography of James Rendel Harris, The Daily Discoveries of a Bible Scholar and Manuscript Hunter (2018, p. 33). Among the individuals associated with organising the relief effort were the scholar James Rendel Harris, the Mayor of Cambridge Frederic Barlow, the Bishop of Ely James Russell Woodford, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge Edward Atkinson. The names of the city's and university's leaders at the time are also recorded in the historical register of Cambridge mayors and the University of Cambridge's official records.
Lady Strangford and British Humanitarian Aid to Karlovo
During the same period, Britain also became the starting point for another remarkable humanitarian campaign. Lady Emily Anne Strangford established the Bulgarian Peasant Relief Fund and personally took part in organising humanitarian assistance in the Bulgarian lands.
With her support, six hospitals were equipped in Batak, Radilovo, Perushtitsa, Panagyurishte, Karlovo and the village of Petrich. These hospitals provided medical care and food to those affected by the violence. The hospital in Karlovo is documented both in a historical account published by Bulgarian National Radio and in a publication by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), which features a rare historical lithograph.
Lady Emily Anne Strangford and one of her hospitals in Bulgaria. Bulgarian National Radio archives.
Among the contributors to Lady Strangford's fund was Charles Darwin, an alumnus of the University of Cambridge. According to John van Wyhe's research, Charles Darwin: Justice of the Peace, Darwin donated £15 to the Bulgarian humanitarian cause in 1876 — equivalent to approximately £2,246.66 in 2026.
These acts of humanity and solidarity left a lasting mark on the history of British-Bulgarian relations. Today, 150 years later, they inspire us to build a new bridge of friendship between Cambridge and Karlovo.
Support for the Initiative
We are delighted that the initiative already has the support of the Mayor of Karlovo, Dr Emil Kabaivanov; the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Maria Cleminson, who was our guest at the Cambridge Sings and Dances! festival in 2026; and the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, who attended our festival in 2025 and has personally visited Karlovo. The participation of local government representatives in our festival has also been documented in reports by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in 2025 and 2026.
The initiative is being jointly led by Cllr Ivelina Banyalieva, a Peterborough City Councillor and representative of the charity ZI Foundation, and Little Bulgaria UK, the Cambridge-based charity, with the active involvement of the teams and volunteers of both organisations. The project, From Karlovo to Cambridge, has also been featured in the Bulgarian newspaper BG BEN.
For us at Little Bulgaria UK, this cause is a natural extension of our mission — to preserve and promote Bulgarian culture and traditions, bring Bulgarian and British communities closer together, and create lasting connections between them. Our Cambridge Sings and Dances! festival already brings together thousands of people from different nationalities. A future twinning partnership could transform these encounters into lasting cooperation between the two cities.
Why Cambridge and Karlovo?
Cambridge is a world-renowned centre of science and education, while Karlovo is a town with thousands of years of history, the birthplace of Vasil Levski and the distinguished Bulgarian philanthropists Evlogi Georgiev and Hristo Georgiev.
The philanthropic work of the Georgiev brothers played an enormously important role in the development of Bulgarian education. As highlighted by the Regional History Museum – Sofia and Sofia Municipality, Evlogi Georgiev bequeathed six million gold leva to a fund intended to support the establishment of a university in Sofia.
The proposed twinning would also symbolically continue the legacy of the Georgiev brothers, who dedicated a substantial part of their wealth to education and Bulgaria's future.
Cambridge already maintains longstanding twinning partnerships with Heidelberg, Germany (since 1957), and Szeged, Hungary (since 1987). According to Cambridge City Council's official information, these partnerships promote international understanding, the exchange of knowledge and cultural cooperation.
We believe that a partnership with Karlovo could create new opportunities for exchanges between schools and universities, cultural festivals, scientific and historical projects, tourism, business cooperation and joint initiatives for younger generations.
More Than 500 Signatures — How Can You Help?
For the twinning proposal to be considered by Cambridge City Council, we need to collect more than 500 valid signatures. Under the official Cambridge City Council petition scheme, anyone who lives, works or studies in Cambridge is eligible to sign, regardless of nationality. All that is required is your name, address and signature.
This is the first practical step towards bringing the initiative before Cambridge City Councillors — and every signature brings us closer to achieving that goal.
Support the Initiative!
Sunday, 1 November 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Trumpington Pavilion, Paget Road, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 9JF
During the second round of the Bulgarian presidential elections, our representatives will be collecting signatures near the Bulgarian polling station. The signature collection is a separate civic initiative and is not part of the electoral process.
Can't make it? Get in touch with us at
Tell your family and friends about the initiative, and share it with your British neighbours. You don't have to be Bulgarian to be part of this story.
150 years ago, the people of Cambridge extended a helping hand to Bulgaria. Today, it is our turn to build a bridge of friendship between our two cities for generations to come.
Be part of the history we are writing together!
🟢 ONGOING FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Little Bulgaria UK CIO has joined forces with the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation to support the development of a specialised centre for children with special needs in Bulgaria.
Through this joint initiative, we invite the Bulgarian community in the United Kingdom, along with our friends and supporters, to help create a brighter future for children who need specialist care, support and opportunities to thrive.
We believe that the strength of a community is measured not only by its ability to preserve its culture and traditions, but also by its willingness to help those who need it most.
❤️ Support This Cause
DONATE NOW – SUPPORT SUNNY KIDS 2024
Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality.
Donations through our JustGiving campaign support the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation and its mission to build a specialised centre for children with special needs in Bulgaria.
The Mission of the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation
The Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation is working towards an ambitious goal: establishing a specialised centre that will provide essential support for children with special needs and their families in Bulgaria.
The future centre aims to create a welcoming and supportive environment offering opportunities for therapy, social interaction, education and personal development, helping children reach their full potential.
The foundation has already made significant progress towards turning this vision into reality. A 3,000-square-metre plot of land has been donated for the project, and, by the time our joint initiative was launched, more than €750,000 had been secured through the generosity of donors and partners.
Despite these remarkable achievements, there is still much to be done. Building and equipping the centre requires substantial resources, making continued fundraising and community support essential.
Bringing the Bulgarian Community in the UK Together for a Good Cause
As a registered charity dedicated to preserving Bulgarian culture, strengthening community connections and encouraging mutual support, Little Bulgaria UK CIO was delighted to join the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation in its mission.
One of the first major milestones of our joint fundraising campaign was the Cambridge Sings and Dances! Bulgarian Folklore Festival, held on 5 July 2026 in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The festival welcomed over 3,000 visitors, bringing together Bulgarians from across the UK, their families, friends and members of the wider local community. Amid the music, traditional dancing and celebrations, there was also an opportunity to come together for a meaningful charitable cause.
At the Little Bulgaria information stand, visitors could learn more about the foundation's project and contribute through a donation box, card payments or online donations.
For us, the initiative was not only about raising funds. It was equally important to raise awareness, share the foundation's vision and help its message reach as many people as possible.
A Special Thank You to Our Partners
We are particularly grateful to doKument Ltd, who enthusiastically joined our initiative and organised a charity raffle during the festival.
With the support of DoKument Accounting Services, Biurokrat and UK Immigration Care, and thanks to the generosity of visitors to their stand, £670 was raised in support of the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation. This is a wonderful example of how Bulgarian businesses in the United Kingdom can work together to support meaningful charitable causes and make a positive difference.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, volunteers and donors who supported the initiative during the festival ❤️
Every contribution, regardless of its size, brings the foundation one step closer to creating a centre that could make a lasting difference to the lives of many children and their families.
Our Fundraising Campaign Continues – Get Involved!
Our fundraising campaign in support of the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation is still ongoing, and everyone is welcome to contribute.
The Cambridge Sings and Dances! festival was an important milestone in raising awareness of the cause, but our commitment does not end there.
We continue to encourage the Bulgarian community across the United Kingdom, as well as our friends, partners and supporters, to get involved, spread the word and contribute in whatever way they can.
You can support the project by making a donation through our dedicated JustGiving fundraising campaign.
If you are unable to make a financial contribution, you can still make a difference by sharing this initiative with friends, family, colleagues or organisations that may wish to support it.
We believe that when people come together for a common purpose, even the smallest acts of kindness can lead to meaningful change.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
For Little Bulgaria, this initiative is another reminder that distance does not diminish our connection to Bulgaria or our responsibility towards those who need support.
Although many of us have built our lives far from our homeland, we can still make a meaningful contribution to the communities and causes that matter.
We are deeply grateful to the Sunny Kids 2024 Foundation for its dedication and to everyone who has already supported this important mission.
Together, we can help turn the dream of a dedicated centre for care, support and development into reality.
Because every child deserves a chance – and together, we can help make that chance possible.
❤️ Help Us Make a Difference
The campaign is ongoing, and your support can help bring this important project closer to reality.
DONATE NOW – SUPPORT SUNNY KIDS 2024
Thank you for helping us build a brighter future for children with special needs in Bulgaria.
✅ FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED!
❤️ Thank you all for your generosity and support!
We are delighted to announce that our fundraising campaign in support of the National High School of Applied Arts “Tryavna School” has successfully concluded!
Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we raised €674, and we are pleased to confirm that the full amount has now been transferred to the school to support its recovery following the devastating fire.
🙏 Special thanks to our generous donors: Nikolay Manolov, Zhasmina Zhivkova, Иван Арихтев, Vesela Ivanova, Wood Art World, Petya, Petko Yanev, Mihail Stoyanov, and everyone who chose to remain anonymous.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the initiative and helped spread the word!
🇧🇬❤️ Every donation makes a difference, and together we have shown that Bulgarian spirit, generosity, and solidarity know no borders!
🔗 View the completed fundraising campaign on JustGiving
Posted on: 2025-09-05
The National High School of Applied Arts “Tryavna School” has been left without a roof, without equipment, but not without spirit. The school, which keeps alive one of the most valuable Bulgarian cultural heritages, needs our help – now.
On April 4, 2025, in the early hours of the night, a fire broke out that destroyed the roof and several of the school’s specialized studios. The school lost critical equipment, its teaching facilities, and the spaces where generations of artists have been trained in woodcarving, icon painting, and interior design.
Founded in 1920 by decree of Tsar Boris III, the high school is the successor of the Tryavna art school – cradle of masters such as Usta Gencho, Papa Vitan, and the woodcarvers Oshaneца and Buchkuvetza. Here, young talents from across the country are trained in the art of icon painting, artistic woodcarving, and interior design, which unite spirituality, history, and aesthetics. The high school is part of the structure of the Ministry of Culture, and since 2015 it has been a member of UNESCO, recognized as a national cultural institution.
"We may not have a roof, but our spirit has not burned."
– Orfey Mindov, Principal of the High School
Despite the destruction, students and teachers have not interrupted their studies for even a single day. They adapted quickly – theoretical classes are held in another school, while practical training takes place in the surviving workshops. Even the old “mutual teaching” method has temporarily returned, where more advanced students guide the younger ones in a shared studio. Instead of chaos – a revival of the spirit of community and craft.
🛠️ The school needs support now.
After the fire, it lost not only its roof but also a vital part of its material base.
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Specialized studios and modern equipment, including 3D printers, as well as the spaces for practical training in woodcarving and icon painting, were destroyed.
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To continue providing full education, at least 80,000 BGN are needed for new equipment, furniture, and materials for the learning process.
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Recovery cannot happen without the support of donors, cultural organizations, and partners who understand the value of both the spiritual and material heritage of the “Tryavna School.”
❤️ How can you help today?
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Support with a donation (recommended £10) through the JustGiving campaign – www.justgiving.com/campaign/tryavna-art-school. A list of donors (with their explicit consent) will be published on the Little Bulgaria Facebook page and on our website www.little-bulgaria.org.uk.
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Buy original icons and woodcarvings at the charity bazaar during the European Cultural Heritage Festival – proceeds will go directly towards repairs and new equipment. The festival will take place on Sunday, 14 September 2025, 12:00 – 18:00, Stanley Park, Peterborough, PE1 1SZ.
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You can also make a donation (recommended: £10) via bank transfer with reference TryavnaArtSchool.
Bank details:
Bank: Wise Payments Limited, 1st Floor, Worship Square, 65 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4JE, United Kingdom
Sort Code: 23-08-01
Account Number: 78040625
Account Name: Little Bulgaria UK
BIC: TRWIGB2LXXX
IBAN: GB28 TRWI 2308 0178 0406 25
📢 Share the story – because cultural heritage survives only when it is shared.
Do not underestimate the power of words – share this story on social media, or seek support from the media and institutions. Visibility is the first step towards change.
Help keep the spirit of the Tryavna School alive!