Geotechmin wins Business Honoris Causa Award for safeguarding Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage
Doing good without public recognition, or doing good while talking about it and setting an example of responsible business – this is the dilemma faced by many companies committed to social causes, whether for their employees, the regions where they operate, or nationwide.
At the third Business Honoris Causa Awards ceremony organized by the 24 Chasa Daily, its publisher, Mrs Venelina Gocheva, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev, along with government and business representatives, gathered around the idea that philanthropy should be openly embraced as a model to follow.
The President of Geotechmin OOD Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov and GEOTECHMIN GROUP were awarded in the category Promoting Cultural-Historical Heritage and Spiritual Values. The Group’s companies have supported the construction and restoration of numerous remarkable Orthodox churches, monuments, and historical sites. Among them is the newly built Ss Cyril and Methodius Cathedral in the town of Lovech. Last year, a modern photovoltaic power system was installed on the rooftop of Etropole Monastery “Holy Trinity”, a historical landmark that had been the second-largest literary school after Rila Monastery during the Bulgarian National Revival.
лед Рилската света обител.
‘Charity is a supreme virtue, and as Christians, we strive to do good out of love for God. Loving God and loving our neighbour are inseparable. I’ve been the Metropolitan Bishop of Lovech Diocese for 24 years. A lot of good has been done by Mr Voutov and his company, yet they don’t seek publicity for it. I wanted to write about their good deeds, but they’ve told me they don’t do it for fame,’ said His Eminence Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech. From the stage, he shared with the audience that in the regions where GEOTECHMIN GROUP’s companies operate, communities thrive because there are jobs, decent wages, and a good standard of living. ‘They support schools, elderly care homes, churches and monasteries. It is worth noting that for a span of 100 years, no cathedral was built. The first major donor to the construction of the cathedral was the state, and the second one – Geotechmin,’ said Metropolitan Gavriil.
‘For 22 years, GEOTECHMIN GROUP has been supporting Etropole Monastery by making various improvements to it. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the latest act of generosity – the installation of a new photovoltaic power system. It is the first one in Lovech Diocese,’ said Father Emil Yakimov, Abbot of Etropole Monastery. He explained that the electricity generated by the PV system is sufficient to meet the needs of the Orthodox children’s camps held at the monastery during the summer months. ‘I would like to thank them for all the good deeds they do in Etropole region. May God grant you all plenty of good health and strength,’ said Father Ekimov.
The award was presented by Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh to Mr Dominic Hamers, Executive Director of Geotechmin OOD. Minister Borshosh emphasized that these awards are aimed at recognizing good deeds and inspiring others – both individuals and companies – to do good. ‘Another purpose of these awards is for the government to distinguish these people and say “Thank you” to them. We must value them because they do part of the things the state may not always manage to do. That is why your contribution is so important to us,’ concluded
Miroslav Borshosh. He announced that the Ministry of Tourism and the 24 Chasa Daily had launched a joint initiative for pilgrimage tourism and emphasized that Etropole Monastery should be visited by many more people.
‘I accept the Business Honoris Causa Award with deep gratitude on behalf of Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov and the companies-founders of our Bulgarian Virtues Charity Programme. For us, this award is a recognition of the values we follow and our responsibility to preserve Bulgarian history, culture and spiritual heritage,’ said Mr Dominic Hamers. He added that we at GEOTECHMIN GROUP believe business success is measured not only by financial performance but also by contributing to society.
Mr Dominic Hamers announced that the restoration of one of the oldest churches in Sofia – St Mina Church in Slatina Residential District – will be completed soon. ‘All our charity projects involve not only financial support, but also our love, dedication and effort to support something that is much bigger than just a donation. By doing so, we aim to safeguard the continuity of values such as faith and tradition, ensuring they are passed on to future generations,’ concluded the Executive Director of Geotechmin OOD.
