Widely Published Van Gogh Scholar Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dr. Bogomila M. Welsh-Ovcharov is a full Professor at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus, where she teaches European and North American 19th and 20th Century Art History. She received her Ph.D. (cumlaude) in 1976 at the University of Utrecht and today is recognized internationally as a much respected authority on Vincent Van Gogh. In this view, Professor Welsh-Ovcharov is seen with French Consul General Mr. Yves Doutrioux at a reception held in her honour when this widely published scholar was invested by the French Government in 1994 with the Order Chevalier dans l’Ordre Palmes Académique for her contribution to art history scholarship in French painting and, in particular, for her exhibition “VanGogh à Paris” for the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. [Photo, courtesy Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria]

Community-spirited Businessman Mr. Ignat Kaneff was born in the Region of Rousse in Bulgaria, and immigrated to Canada as a young man in 1951. When only 30 years old, he founded, in 1956, Kaneff Properties Limited, today a member of the Kaneff Group of Companies. Since 1967, Mr. Kaneff has been responsible for building over 3,500 family homes and over 8,000 hi-rise units, mainly in the City of Mississauga, but also in Oakville, Brampton, Toronto, and Barrie. A community-spirited businessman, Mr.Kaneff has received many honours. In 1992, he was named Mississauga’s Citizen of the Year for his many years of voluntary service. In 1994, the University of Toronto awarded him an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1992, the Kaneff Centre for Management and Social Sciences was opened at the Erindale Campus, University of Toronto. A philanthropist since his arrival in Canada nearly 50 years ago, Mr. Kaneff has championed many causes including raising funds for hospitals in Canada. In his native land, Iggy’s humanitarian aid is well-known as is his establishment of university scholarships. He is viewed here with his wife, Dimitrina Kostova, who is just as close to the various business enterprises of her husband as he is himself. [Photo, courtesy Dimitrina Kostova]