Around 160 women gathered in Tryavna, Bulgaria, for the second edition of the National Women's Forum, “Her Story: next à”, organised by the Women's Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bulgaria. Held from 23 to 25 October, the event welcomed participants from across the country, as well as guests from Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Building on the experience of the first edition, this year's forum brought together women of different generations and backgrounds, with a particularly encouraging increase in the number of younger participants. The weekend created a welcoming space where women could share their experiences, strengthen friendships, reflect on their journeys of faith and discover how God continues to work through their personal stories.
Among the participants was Dagmar Dorn, Women's Ministries Director of the Inter-European Division (EUD), who also contributed to the programme as a guest speaker, sharing her own story. Reflecting on the weekend, she expressed her appreciation for the warm atmosphere of fellowship and sisterhood that brought women together.
Every Story Matters
The programme featured three main sessions exploring different dimensions of women's lives and faith. Dagmar Dorn opened the forum on Friday evening with a presentation addressing the challenges and expectations surrounding womanhood and singleness. As part of the Sabbath service, Dimka Markova continued with a reflection on the multiple roles and complex decisions women carry. Margarita Dobreva explored the experience of being a woman of faith, telling part of her life story as a mother – faith survivor in some of life’s most difficult situations she has gone through.
Through personal testimonies, honest conversations, worship and shared experiences, participants were reminded that every woman's story matters—and that even the difficult chapters can become sources of encouragement and hope for others.
A special gala evening on Saturday highlighted the connection between individual experiences and the shared journey of women in faith.
The Power of Praying Together
One of the most meaningful aspects of the weekend took place on Saturday and Sunday morning, when more than 30 women gathered each day for a special time of prayer. These meetings became a powerful expression of the spiritual community that the forum sought to nurture.
"It feels so much different and encouraging when you enter the room early in the morning and you see 30 women already on their knees praying together - praising God and interceding for one another," shared Bilyana Valchinova, Bulgarian Women Ministries Director
These moments reflected one of the central messages of the forum: women do not have to walk through life's challenges alone. Faith becomes stronger when it is shared
Creativity, Reflection and Connection
Beyond the main sessions, participants had the opportunity to take part in three practical workshops designed to encourage personal reflection, creativity and spiritual growth. One of the workshops invited women to consider how they understand and tell their own stories, and how their lives fit into the greater story of God's redemption.
In a different workshop the participants explored their emotions through the book of Psalms - a space to reflect on feelings that are sometimes difficult to express and to discover how Scripture gives language to both struggle and hope.
A creative art workshop encouraged participants to try beautiful landscape painting as a form of personal expression.
A Community That Continues Beyond the Forum
While the programme offered inspiring presentations and meaningful activities, much of the forum's impact came through the encounters between women - the conversations over meals, the shared prayers, the personal testimonies and the simple experience of being heard and understood.
Find out more about Her story: www.her-story.eu