On February 7th 2025, young writers from across Bulgaria gathered in Sofia for a day dedicated to creativity, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences. The 15th BCWC Award Ceremony was more than just an event – it was a celebration of the power of words. A Visit to the Heart of Knowledge Before the official ceremony, the winners and their English language teachers had the opportunity to explore one of Bulgaria’s most treasured cultural institutions—the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”. A highlight of the visit was the rare opportunity to see an early copy of William Shakespeare’s writings. To make the moment even more special, a well-known Bulgarian actor recited one of Shakespeare’s sonnets, filling the room with the rhythm and beauty of words. Walking through the grand halls filled with history and knowledge, students were immersed in the world of literature, gaining a deeper appreciation for the written word. The Magic of Vlaykova Cinema The highlight of the day was the Award Ceremony, held in the historic Vlaykova Cinema. This charming venue, with its old-world atmosphere, provided the perfect setting for recognizing the incredible talents of young writers. As the winners took the stage to receive their awards, their excitement and pride were profound. It was a moment of validation – not just for their creative writing skills, but for their courage to express their thoughts, dreams, and unique perspectives. Teachers, parents, and supporters cheered them on, celebrating not just the winners, but all the students who dared to put their imagination on paper. After all, writing is not just about competition; it’s about discovering one’s voice and sharing it with the world. A Walk Beyond Sight The following day brought an experience that was both eye-opening and deeply moving – a tactile walk with their eyes closed, guided by Synergy Foundation—an organization dedicated to supporting the visually impaired. Walking with their eyes closed, relying on touch and sound, the participants gained a small glimpse into the daily experiences of blind people. This journey through the streets of Sofia became a powerful lesson in empathy, resilience, and the different ways we perceive the world. It reminded everyone that creativity isn’t just about seeing with our eyes – it’s about feeling, imagining, and understanding life from different perspectives. Looking Ahead With each passing year, BCWC continues to prove that storytelling has the power to connect us, challenge us, and inspire us to see beyond the ordinary. Here’s to many more years of creativity, courage, and unforgettable stories!  

On November 15 we celebrated the launch of The Dream Catcher’s Diary – a special collection featuring selected works from the last five editions of the Bulgarian Creative Writing Competition. Together with the talented students and their families and friends, teachers and partners we marked the 15th anniversary of the competition. We were honored to have Eric Brassil (Cultural and educational affairs officer at US Embassy), Maria Stefanova (PR expert and National Jury member), and Elitsa Hristova (Illustrator of The Dream Catcher’s Diary) as our special guests at the event. We held an interesting and thought-provoking discussion on the importance of storytelling with the teachers – Anastasia Dimitrova from Chelopech and Julia Venkova from Varna, and their students – Nasko Fotev and Lyubomir Yanchev who are now university students. This unique anthology captures the vivid imaginations, heartfelt stories, and poetic expressions of young writers from across the country. The students whose works are included in the book are Adelina Zlateva, Adrian Georgiev, Alexandra Stoyanova, Ameli Kolarski, Ana Dimitrova, Andrea Ivanova, Asen Avramov, Boryana Bozhanova, Christian Georgiev, Elmira Taneva, Gabriela Neycheva, Georgi Ivanov, Ida Atanasova, Ivan Georgiev, Ivana Doncheva, Ivana Stoyanova, Ivaylo Dimitrov, Jeren Apti, Kalina Hristova, Lyubomir Yanchev, Lyubov Yanakieva, Marina Nikolova, Maya Palmova, Mihail Palmov, Nasko Fotev, Neda Hristova, Nicholas Brintnol, Niya Balcheva, Rada Gavrailova, Roan Gochev, Teodor Matuski, Valeria Kodzhaivanova, Vesela Marinova, Victoria Panayotova, Yong Park, and Zlatimira Milcheva. We had the pleasure to witness creativity in action by listening to three students reading their works published in the book. Adrian Georgiev from Sofia read The concert of the happy forest, Nasko Fotev from Chelopech read The future in a jar, and Teodor Matuski read The kiss reminded him of chemistry lessons in school. As a special highlight, we presented The Wings of Imagination Award, which honors students for their exceptional creativity and dedication to the craft of writing. In the 15-year history of the competition there have been only 15 students who have been among the winners more than once. The awarded students are Alexandra Parvanova, Alexandra Stefanova, Alexandra Stoyanova, Gabriela Neycheva, Daniela Koleva, Iva Bankova, Ivona Ivanova, Maria Tsakova, Mihaela Mihaylova, Nadezhda Zlatareva, Nasko Fotev, Nicholas Brintnol, Niya Pehlivanova, Preslava Gyuzeleva, and Roan Gochev. You can order the book The Dream Catcher’s Dairy and support our mission at: https://www.creativewriting-bg.com/online-store

On November 9th, the spotlight at Central Halls Stage was reserved for the winners of the Literary Delights Contest. As part of the Bulgarian Creative Writing Competition, we invited students from across Bulgaria to explore their imagination and love for food by crafting narratives around culinary themes. Meeting these talented young writers and experiencing their works live was truly inspiring. The young writers took us on a delightful journey that left the audience captivated by the creativity and insight of the new generation. We were impressed with their courage to express their ideas and emotions, making this gathering a memorable moment. For those who could not attend, you can still experience the talent of our young writers! We invite you to explore the booklet featuring all the winning works, available at: https://www.creativewriting-bg.com/assets/Literary-Delights-booklet_compressed.pdf

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Literary Delights Contest. The competition received an overwhelming response from schools across Bulgaria, with 112 students sharing their unique perspectives on the intersection of culinary arts and creative writing. Participants submitted works ranging from whimsical tales of magical recipes to poignant poems about family traditions centered around food. These talented young authors have crafted extraordinary stories and poems that blend the art of writing with culinary inspiration, serving up a feast for the imagination. The Bulgarian Creative Writing Competition team has selected the following outstanding entries as winners of the Literary Delights Contest: Alexandra Krumova – Yoan Ekzarh Foreign Language High School, Varna Danaya Zlatinova – P. K. Yavorov Profiled High School, Petrich Dzhuneyd Dzhuvalekov – St. St. Cyril and Methodius Secondary School, Rudozem Erika Gigova – Dimitar Hadjivasilev State High School of Economics, Svishtov Esil Ahmedova – Prof. Nikola Marinov II Secondary School, Targovishte Hristiyana Ilieva – Frederic Joliot-Curie IV Language High School, Varna Ida Atanasova –Konstantin Preslavski National High School of Humanities and Arts, Varna Iren Nedzahtieva – Ekzarh Joseph Foreign Language School, Razgrad Lachezar Tuparov –Yane Sandanski Profiled High School, Sandanski Milan Stankov – P. K. Yavorov Profiled High School, Petrich Pavel Stefanov – John Atanasov Vocational High School of Electronics, Sofia Sergei Khoroshulia– G. S. Rakovski Romance Languages Profiled High School, Burgas Yeliz Myumyun – N. Y. Vaptsarov Secondary School, Momchilgrad Yoana Yaneva – Bertolt Brecht Language High School, Pazardzhik Zornitsa Manahilova – First English Language High School, Sofia We have the pleasure to invite you to join us for an afternoon of creative storytelling as our winning authors present their work at Central Halls Stage in Sofia. This special showcase event promises to be a celebration of young literary talent and culinary creativity. Date: November 9th, 2024Time: 15:00Venue: Central Halls Stage, Sofia (25 Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd.)Admission: Free and open to the public For more information about the event visit: https://fb.me/e/5sBo2pOxO