On December 4, 2025, international volunteers from the United Avangard Artist and Youth Development Center – Mutual Aid participated in an inspiring language coffee event at the International Youth Center (IYC) in Stara Zagora. The IYC had previously hosted two such events in 2025, with this Intercultural Christmas Party being the last of the year.

IYC aims to achieve several goals:

1. Developing programs and implementing activities that support the personal development of young people.
2. Establishing and maintaining partnerships with organizations working with and for young people.
3. Including young people in a network of like-minded individuals who share the values of tolerance and respect for human rights.
4. Positioning the organization as a sought-after partner with expert insight in the creation of youth policies.

The event began with a fun game involving guessing the meaning of Bulgarian idioms (such as “the horse went down in the river”). Those who guessed correctly received small presents. There was a brief presentation about the culture and history about Sri Lanka. Following this, there was a presentation on Bulgarian culture and facts. The evening concluded with an intercultural potluck, where participants shared various dishes, including special Christmas sweets and dishes from their home countries, such as the UK, Nigeria, Germany, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Türkiye,… and, of course, Bulgaria.

The International Youth Center (IYC) is planning to organize and lead more international events, especially language coffees. The atmosphere at the latest event was warm, fun, and conducive to making new connections. All participants shared their enthusiasm, feeling welcomed and at home.