May 9, Sliven, 2017
I hadn't set foot in the city for ten years, maybe more. I had no idea what to expect, where I was going, I had booked a last-minute hotel somewhere on a cobblestone street, there was parking, and a nice breakfast (as I found out the next morning). I was surprised by the city, by all the people I met and knew remotely. It was a wonderful fairy tale, where I stayed for a day and a half, and the next day, right after the presentation of the National Award "Konstantin Konstantinov", I took off through the Rishki Pass and returned to Varna, somewhere around 4 a.m.
Why does this article start like this? Because that's what is sometimes "hidden" behind these articles - a lot of travel, a lot of wandering, a lot of fatigue and a lot of pleasant emotions. Exactly 6 years ago, the website "Bulgarian Illustration" also started with its first article - namely from the Children's Book Festival in Sliven. So I somehow feel this festival closer and more personal, even though the two things have little in common.
May 9, Sliven, 2023
I arrived in Sliven. Well, this time I know where I'm going - to the XXV Children's Book Festival, which began with a traditional grand opening and a rich program at the Stefan Kirov Drama Theater. The host this year was Simeon Vladov, and the wonderful children from the Barbie ballet and the musicians from the Junior Band parted the morning clouds over the city with their sunny smiles. And on the first floor of the theater, the exhibition "Theatrical Puppets of Favorite Literary Heroes" was also opened.
This year's program - for the anniversary, was extremely rich. My two legs couldn't run between the theater, the new "Peace" hall in the "Blue Stones" PTC, the "Sava Dobroplodni" Library and the art halls, so if I missed anyone in the bustle - I apologize in advance.
The exhibition of Nevena Angelova, winner of the 2022 National Konstantin Konstantinov Award, at the Dimitar Dobrovich Gallery is a real feast for the eyes. I advise you, if you feel like walking to Sliven during the sunny weekends of May, to visit it, because there is no point in describing it - it has to be seen. The exhibition will remain in the city until the end of the month, and who will be the next artist - we will find out tomorrow.
And another exhibition filled the soul and the lenses today – the International Student Competition “From the Fairytale World of Konstantin Konstantinov”. The students were awarded by the jury and Mrs. Rositsa Petrova.
This was followed by the premieres and presentations of books - "Nia and the Goblin's Treasure" by Vesela Flamburari, which was once again distributed to the children. Donika Rizova and her dragon Rinti, Marin Troshanov and "Brave New World", Nelly Margaritova chirped with her tales, and Ivanka Mogilka told us about her "Colorful Soap Bubbles".
The day was extremely colorful with the open stage on the square, and the round table and scientific conference in the Library ended the day with stories about the history of the festival itself.
Photos and text: Milena Radeva
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