Burgas Social Centre is marking its 15th anniversary with a photo exhibition outside the NHK Culture House, which runs until the end of November. The centre's services are used by 34 people with various disabilities.

The exhibition opened today. It has 300 photos of creative activities, trips in Bulgaria and abroad, and meetings with well-known people. It also shows the centre's projects over the years, activities to help people with special needs join in community life, and the workshop where members make souvenirs from newspapers.

Centre head Marionela Stoyanova said it was hard to choose the photos. The years have brought many experiences, and thousands of photos remain in the archive.

"With this exhibition we want to show once more the real life of people with special needs in this city," Stoyanova said. She said the photos show what they strive for: to travel, to make things, to meet people from different walks of life, to show their talents and to be full members of society.

The centre began as a creative workshop on Apostol Karamitev Street. "People with disabilities who no longer wanted to stay at home gathered there," Stoyanova said. Over time, she said, they needed a place to meet, talk and learn new skills, and the workshop gradually grew into today's centre.

Deputy mayor Mihail Nenov congratulated the association on its anniversary. He said he has always admired the enthusiasm of the team, who build warm and friendly relations with people.

City councillor Yasen Prodanov, who has been a guest of the organisation for 11 years, hosted the opening. He said meeting people there always fills him with positive energy.

Members of the association performed a recital and a Greek dance to show their skills.