Oxana and Ivan Jeleapov: A father-daughter duo on a mission to aid Bessarabian Bulgarians in Moldova

Mrs Bulgaria Universe 2022 Oxana Jeleapova finds joy in helping others

published on 1/24/24 2:53 PM

Photo: Plamen Kolev

The Bessarabian Bulgarians stand as one of the largest Bulgarian communities abroad. Notably, the only issue of the newspaper "Bulgarian Bessarabia" in 1938 declares them "an inseparable part of the Bulgarian nation, belonging to the Bulgarian spiritual and cultural community, and destined to remain so due to the unbreakable bond between us."

The Bessarabian Bulgarians are one of the largest Bulgarian communities abroad. The only issue of the newspaper Bulgarian Bessarabia, published in 1938, stated that they were "an inseparable part of the Bulgarian nation, the Bulgarian spiritual and cultural community, and will remain so because the link between us and them is unbreakable".

Today, although they live in the territory of Bessarabia, which spanning Ukraine and Moldova, these compatriots uphold and transmit the Bulgarian way of life, traditions, and identity across generations. They do this with exceptional dedication, love, and reverence that we see less and less of in our relations with each other. That is why every occasion on which we tell their stories is a reminder of how we could be, without necessarily having to go back several centuries.

The Bessarabian Bulgarians exhibit a strong sense of unity and resilience, allowing them to navigate through various challenges. In both Ukraine and Moldova, poverty poses a significant hurdle for many community members. While Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia for almost two years, is receiving aid from a number of countries, we hear far less about neighbouring Moldova, although the hostilities are having a serious impact there too, particularly on energy prices. The high gas and electricity prices are an increasingly serious burden for many families in the country:

"Many people from Moldova have gone to live in Western countries and left their children to be raised by their grandparents - says Ivan Jeleapov, chairman of the Bulgarian Cultural Centre in the Moldovan capital Chisinau, in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. - In some cases, children from several families are raised by only one grandmother. Sometimes they have nothing to eat, so it was important for us to come to their aid. I'm sure in every country there are well-meaning people who, even if they don't advertise, help the needy". Oxana Jeliapova with her parents Ivan Jeliapov and Lidiya Gametskaya at the charity dinner in Sofia.

Oxana Jeliapova with her parents Ivan Jeliapov and Lidiya Gametskaya at the charity dinner in Sofia.

In 2022, his daughter Oxana won the title of Mrs Bulgaria Universe. She then made it her personal mission to help her fellow Bessarabian Bulgarians in Moldova, a commitment she maintains to this day. She has organised several charity dinners, one of which took place in Sofia a few days ago. The money raised was earmarked for the support of the rehabilitation centre, the cultural centre and the music school in the town of Tvarditsa in Moldova.

The Ștefan Neaga College of Music teaches Bulgarian folklore in Bulgarian by teachers from Bulgaria. There is also an art school in the town - the Theoretical Lyceum - and two kindergartens.

"The children at the music school always want to play folk dances. I was able to send them national instruments and costumes after the last fundraising dinner. Their desire to preserve the Bulgarian spirit and identity is as strong as ever and that is why I continue to support them," says Oxana Jeliapova, "and I hope that more kindhearted people will support my cause. For the Rehabilitation Centre, after the last charity dinner, I've managed to send rehabilitation equipment to aid in the recovery of the musculoskeletal system. I hope we can help them again once they tell us what they need. There is no greater happiness for me than to see the smiles on the children's faces.

"No child is a stranger to us, especially where there are Bulgarian children," Oksana said in an interview some time ago. She also shared her guiding credo for every decision she makes: "Kindness is done quietly so that you can do more."