As part of the "Na Harmana" Festival 2022, IOM Bulgaria organised a culinary event that took place in the heart of the town of Harmanli. 

The residents and guests of Harmanli had the pleasure of tasting the delicious dishes of the culinary master Freddy, a migrant from Iraq, developing a successful business in Bulgaria. Freddie and his colleagues at Ashurbanipal Iraqi Restaurant put all their skill and talent in presenting an assortment of traditional dishes such as Biryani rice, Fattoush salad and traditional hummus in the best possible way and this did not go unnoticed by the nearly 500 people who had the chance to taste them. 

During the event, everyone who visited the IOM Bulgaria stall had the opportunity to learn more about the peculiarities of Iraqi cuisine, ask about the ingredients and even get an original recipe. Many vowed to try preparing the dishes at home for their loved ones. Until late at night, the IOM Bulgaria stand was seething with positive mood, and smiles were being exchanged like warm sambusa. 

IOM Bulgaria expresses its gratitude to the organizers of the "Na Harmana" festival, Freddy and his team, our chefs and volunteers, but above all to all the guests, without whom all this would not have been possible. 

The culinary event was organised within the framework of the project "Raising the awareness of Bulgarian society and migrant communities in Bulgaria", funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020.