Elka Rouskov

Elka Rouskov graduated from the Technical University in Sofia in 1992 with a degree in “Automation, Information and Control technology.” She graduated with a master’s degree and a “badge of honor” for excellent achievement.

In 1993 she moved with her family to the United States. In 1994 she started working for Microsoft. There, in the period 1994-2000, she held the position of Executive Technical Recruiter for the International Recruiting Division.

In 2011 she became a Co-President and a chairwoman of the Bulgarian Cultural Center in Seattle, USA. From 2015 until present, she holds the position of a Co-President together with Mr. Ivan Tashev. Under her leadership, the Center created several permanent programs, including the Women’s Choir “The Bulgarian Voice of Seattle,” the folklore formation “Seattle Cheta”, the Children’s Folklore Group “Honey Bread,” and the literature club “The Glagolitic.” As Co-President of the Bulgarian Cultural Center, she initiated the creation of an annual Christmas concert in which Bulgarian and American folklore groups and artists collaborate. Albeit online, the Christmas Concert marked its tenth anniversary edition in 2021.

One of the significant international projects dedicated to Bulgarian-American cultural cooperation, on which Elka Rouskov is actively working, is the organization of the exhibition of Seattle ethnographer, Mr. Martin Koenig, in Sofia in September 2019. Therein, Mr. Koenig received the badge of honor from the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev.

Over the past decade, Elka Rouskov has organized a number of cultural events in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Las Vegas and Seattle. Elka Rouskov is well known and respected by Bulgarian and American governmental and non-governmental organizations and diasporas.

In 2024 she started the initiative "Hubava si, tatkovino" that has a goal to help Bulgarian-American cultural exchange.

In recognition of her tireless and charitable work, during her visit to the United States in 2019, the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Iliana Yotova, awarded her with the “Badge of Honor”.