A CHRONICLE

A CHRONICLE

Top of page	1996
January	By government decree №19 dated 31 January 1996 “Sava Dobroplodni” Universal Scientific Library got the statute of a regional library and became an independent corporate body, subordinated to the Ministry of culture, in fact it became a regional institution of National significance. By that decree it could exercise methodical and coordinating functions over libraries of former Sliven region.
January	Machines for binding were bought.
January	Reprographic department was differentiated.
January	A local computer network with 8 working places and software for automation of basic library processes, worked up by “Apis” company functioned in the library. The library became a user of the full text file “Laws”.
January 12	The library got a free Internet access and 3 computers as a donation by the Technical University of Tornheim /Norway/ as a result of the “Sliven-Tornheim” project.
January 19	Two days seminar of the British council on topic “Training in culture and customs of English speaking people” was organized in the library.
February	The library became a subordinated to the Ministry of culture institution.
February	Metropolitan bishop Joanikii donated to the library 10 volumes of his book “Messages, speeches and sermons”.
April	“Stefan Chirpanliev” bio-bibliography was published. Compilers: Rositsa Petrova- Vasileva, Galia Cholakova, Katia Siveva. It was published by the financial help of „Agromachine impex Ltd.” -Sliven, Sliven forestry and Kipilovo forestry, United Bulgarian Bank – branch Sliven, Union of Technique and Science - Yambol.
April	Lighting of the registration department and depositories was renovated.
April	The library announced a literature competition “The book” and a competition for drawing “Favourite characters from children’s books” on occasion of 24 of May-the Day of Slavic literature and culture.
July	Library’s accountants department was differentiated.
September	“Dimitar Dobrovich” symposium illustrated with the best drawings of the painter was published in cooperation with Art Gallery –Sliven and High school of arts in Sliven.
November 14	A jubilee meeting on occasion 60 anniversary of the writer Stefan Chirpanliev was organized in the library cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club. The jubilee bibliography published for the jubilee was presented.
December 10	A premiere of Angel Grozdanov’s book “A chronicle of literature competitions and prizes” was organized in one of the reading-rooms of the library. The book was presented by the research worker Maria Gareva – a directress of “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” National Library’s publishing house.
Top of page	1997
January	“Sliven poets and writers’ club-friends of the library” was established. All writers were register to use library’s services free.
January	The library started placing at readers’ disposal Internet services- seeking information in the Internet and “register an e-mail account”.
February	Books of Sliven writers for 1996 were presented in the library’s reading-room.
March	A bio-bibliography “Dobri Chintulov” was published by the financial help of “Open society” club-Sliven. It was a part of the series “Eminent writers of the Bulgarian national revival”. Compilers: Rositsa Petrova- Vasileva, Galia Cholakova, Katia Siveva, Joanna Dimitrova.
April	A new copying machine “Xerox” was bought for the children’s department.
April	More than 20 classes “In the magic world of fairy-tales” were organized for students of primary Sliven schools.
May	“70 years –Cultural Figures Club” bibliography was published on the occasion of 70 anniversary of the Club in Sliven.
June 1	Children’s day was celebrated with an exhibition of children’s drawings and a concert in the library’s yard with the participation of children from “Zvezditsa” kindergarten.
June 2	A meeting was organized with the young Sliven poetess Iveta Danailova.
June 23	The library organized in cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club a presentation of Ivan Rusev’s book “Companies and draperies in Sliven and Kotel regions during the Bulgarian revival”.
1 ноември	The library was a co-organizer of the scientific conference on topic: “Jovkov and our time” with director of studies Ivan Sarandev.
November 27	A meeting dedicated to the 175 years of Dobri Chintulov’s birht was organized by the library and the Cultural Figures Club. The research worker Maria Gareva – a directress of “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” National Library’s publishing house presented the bibliography of the eminent writer of the Bulgarian revival published by the library.
December 4	A symposium of reports from a Jubilee scientific conference “Public health services in Sliven – past, present, future” was published. Compilers: Rositsa Petrova and Marianna Nedeva.
Top of page	1998
February 19-20	The library organized an exhibition “Modern British writers and poets” in cooperation with British council-Sofia. Edward Richards –a director of English language training projects at the British council and Lily Rounevska – a head of the informative department of the British council- Sofia attended the opening of the exhibition.
February 20	A concert with readings “The liberation and the national self-consciousness”, dedicated to the Russian-Soviet war of liberation was organized by the library in cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club.
March 1	A charity exhibition “Martenitsi” was organized in the children’s department. Books for children were bought with the money collected form the martenitsi sale.
March 5	Books of Sliven writers for 1997 were presented in the library in cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club.
March 17	The library in cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club organized a premiere of Stefan Chirpanliev’s book “Intelligentsia...” with the participation of the literature critic Dimitar Bechev.
April 2-30	Classes “In the fairy world of Andersen” were organized for students from primary schools in Sliven.
May 7 - 8	“Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Llibrary in cooperation with the Ministry of culture organized a seminar on topic: “Programs of the European Union in the field of culture. Training and management of projects”. В семинара вземат участие Maria Rousinova – a vice-minister of culture, Antoaneta Ginina – “Libraries” department of the Ministry of culture, Rada Sharlandjieva –a counsellor in cultural politics at the Council of Europa, Margarita Kaisheva – a representative of NMCR for Bulgaria, Jrji Dusik – an international expert from the Centre of public activities in Pilsen /Czech republic/, Christopher Wardle – an international consultant from INTRAC Company /Great Britain/, Emilia Lisichkova – a coordinator of Program for Development of the United Nations project- BUL /97/008.
May 8	Regional Libraries’ Association- a non-profit organization- was found in Sliven. Rositsa Petrova was chosen a chairwoman of the association.
May 21	The directress of the library Mrs. Rositsa Petrova was awarded a diploma by the Minister of culture for achievements in the development of Bulgarian culture in honour of May 24– the Day of Bulgarian literature and culture and the Slavic literature.
July	The American “Sabre” foundation by “Open society” club in Sliven donated 109 books of medicine, technique and economics in English to the library.
August	The library got a donation of 199 records of classical music by the help of Mr. Roger Taylor –a president of the International Association of musical libraries, archives and documentary centers in Great Britain and “Libraries and books” fund at “Open society” foundation-Sofia.
December	“Melinvest” foundation donated 213 000 levs to the library for paying the subscription to periodicals of the library.
December	Two computers were bought.
Top of page	1999
January	The centre, helping English learning process was moved to a new room.
January	A new local area network was worked up. 4 new computers were bought.
February 3	Anton Donchev’s book “Legends for the two treasures” was presented by professor Andrej Pantev and the literature critic Ivan Granitski in one of the library’s reading-rooms.
February 25	An Organizing committee for carrying out the I National Children’s Book Festival was formed.
March 5	The library and the co-organizers of the I National Children’s Book Festival announced a national literature competition on topic “The book” and a competition for drawings “Favourite characters from children’s books”.
March 7	A meeting of the Bulgarian Regional Libraries Association was held in the library on which a project for a decree for the statute and the financing of regional libraries was discussed.
April	The library proceeded to “vicarious budget” a by a resolution of the Municipal council of Sliven.
April	“In the magic world of fairy-tales” classes dedicated to Alexander Pushkin’s work were organized in the library for students from primary schools in Sliven.
April	The American “Darien book aid plan Inc.” foundation donated 200 books in English from modern American writers.
May 24	The directress of the library Mrs. Rositsa Petrova was awarded a diploma by the Minister of culture for achievements in the development of Bulgarian culture in honour of May 24– the Day of Bulgarian literature and culture and the Slavic literature.
May 25-28	National Children’s Book Festival took place in Sliven for the first time in Bulgaria. “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library is the main organizer of the event. Other co-organizers are: the Ministry of culture, National book centre at the Ministry of culture, the Bulgarian Regional Libraries Association, Bulgarian Association of book publishers, Sliven Municipality. The program of the events included: Opening an exhibition “Masters of illustrations of children’s books” – with exhibits from the National Art Gallery, the National army’s club and the Art Gallery –Sirak Skitnik; a round table on topic “Children’s books -publishing, dissemination, reading”; a performance “In the magic world of Pushkin’s fairy-tales”; a premiere of the book “Cut, cut, moon” – a medley of funny games for children, published by the Festival’s resources; report of the results of the National literature competition “The book” and a competition for drawings “Favourite characters from children’s books”; celebration of the 20 anniversary of the literature classes of the poetess Evgenia Genova at the “Misho Todorov” United school of arts; a carnival, a concert, book bazaars of “Egmont Bulgaria”, “Hermes”, “Fjut”, “Pan”, “Prozorets” and “Slantse” publishing houses. Guests of the festival were: Maria Rousinova-a vice-minister of culture, Antoaneta Ginina- a head of “Libraries” department at the Ministry of culture, Penjo Semkov- a governor of Sliven region, Eva Jecheva – a deputy, publishers, writers and Bulgarian library specialists.
June	The directress of the library Rositsa Petrova was elected to the National book council at the Ministry of culture.
June	The representatives of the International ISBN Agency Mr. David Kingham /Great Britain/ and Mr. Hartmuth Valravens /Germany/ visited the library.
July	“Public health services in Sliven from the National revival to nowadays” bibliography was published by the library in cooperation with the Union of scientists- branch Sliven, the Medical section.
July	“A training of library specialists and readers in work with the new information technologies for electronic documentation /CD-ROM and Internet/” project sponsored by the Euro-Bulgarian fund for development of arts and “PHARE” program BG 9606 started.
October	The first stage of the project “Training of library specialists and readers in work with the new information technologies for electronic documentation /CD-ROM, Internet/” which was implemented in the library ended. The results of the project were 6 newly bought computers for Internet access in the centre, helping English learning process.
October 22	A regional meeting on the problems of the community centers’ and school libraries was held in cooperation with the Regional inspectorate of the Ministry of education and science and the Regional Libraries’ Association.
October	Celebration of the 60 anniversary of the poetess Evgenia Genova was organized in the library in cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club. The bio-bibliography of the poetess published by the library was presented.
November 10	The library got a donation – the series “The Millennium Library Everyman” - 250 books of classics in English or translated into English and 6 complete sets of data. Resources for the donation were supplied by консорциум “Millennium” consortium, “Everyman” publishing house, charity organizations and the British Council
November 24	A project for training of representatives of ethnical groups of the region in new informative technologies started in the electronic reading-room of the library. It was sponsored by the American “Charles Stuart Mott” foundation by “Open society”-Sliven. A partner in the project was “Women for charity Roma” foundation.
December 2	Ilia Kalov- an heir of the famous Kalovs family of industrials donated 245 books in English, French, German and Italian and 46 periodicals published until 1944.
Top of page	2000
February	An Organizing committee for celebrating the 45anniversary of the library under the aegis of the Minister of culture Ms. Emma Moscova was formed. A chairman of the committee was the mayor of Sliven Mr. Asen Gagauzov.
February	Ilia Kalov donated books in English, German and French to the library for the second time.
March	The British council-Sofia donated 1000 £ to the centre, helping English learning process for buying books in English.
March	The security system of the library was renovated. The reading-rooms were repaired.
April 10 –May 10	A project for “An integration of gypsy children by non-traditional methods for creating interest in books and reading” sponsored by “Charles Stuart Mott” foundation /U.S.A./ by “Open society” - Sliven.
April	A new informative service was placed at readers’ disposal in the centre, helping English learning process-an access to the ЕBSCO publishing data as a result of a joint project of “Open society” Institute– Budapest.
May 9-11	The II National Children’s Book Festival and jubilee celebrations for the 45 anniversary of the library took place in Sliven. The events were carried out under the sign of 110 anniversary of the famous fairy tales writer Konstantin Konstantinov.
	The program included: A scientific conference concerning the life and work of Konstantin Konstantinov;An art-documentary exhibition of issues from the State archives, “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library and the Art Gallery-Sliven concerning Konstantin Konstantinov; a final seminar “An integration of gypsy children by non-traditional methods for creating interest in books and reading” project; meetings with the writers Stefan Chirpanliev, Petya Alexandrova and Nikolai Milchev; performances; competitions, a carnival; concerts. A guest of the Festival was the Minister of culture Ms. Emma Moskova. The President of Bulgaria Mr. Petar Stoyanov posted a greeting speech to the staff of the library.
May 11	The Minister of culture Ms. Emma Moskova visited the library and got to know the library’s activity and equipment. Проведена е и среща с директори на регионални библиотеки от страната.
May 9-10	The library organized a Scientific conference dedicated to the 110 anniversary of Konstantin Konstantinov in cooperation with the Bulgarian Academy of Science /the Institute for literature/. The bibliography of the writer published by the library was presented.
June	The library was awarded the National “Hristo G.Danov-2000” prize – for achievements in the development of the Bulgarian literary culture in section “Presentation of Bulgarian books”. The prize consisted of a sculpture, a diploma and 2500 levs.
June	Computers and a new software /CDS/ISIS for WINDOWS/ were bought.
July	By the Act for protection and development of Bulgarian culture and Government decree 153/dated July 28, 2000 the library became a regional one for Sliven and Yambol regions.
August	“A symposium of reports from the Scientific conference dedicated to the 110 anniversary of Konstantin Konstantinov’s birth” was published.
October 25	An exhibition on occasion of the 200 anniversary of Dobri Jeliazkov’s birth was exposed at the library’s foyer. The firman of Sultan Mahmud II handed by him to Dobri Jeliazkov on February 4, 1836 by which the eminent citizen of Sliven was authorized to build the first textile factory in the Ottoman empire was presented to the Sliven citizens. The library made a colored copy of the firman for each visitor of the library. Nina Vutova- an assistant director of “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” National Library / where the original firman is kept/and a delegation from Tikirdag-the twin town of Sliven in Turkey attended the opening of the exhibition.
November 11	An artistic-documentary exhibition of documents of the library and the State archive-Sliven was exposed in the Large hall of the Capital’s library on occasion of 110 anniversary of Konstantin Konstantinov’s birth. More than 20 drawings of Konstantin Konstantinov’s sister– the painter Donka Konstantinova were also exposed.
December	An alphabetical and a classified catalogue of videocassettes were made.
Top of page	2001
January	An official catalogue of cartographic materials was made.
January 31	Books of Sliven writers, published in 2000 were presented - 15 books of poetry, 3 documentary and 17 books of prose.
February	The fire alarm system of the library was renovated.
March	The British council-Sofia donated 1000 £ to the centre, helping English learning process for buying books in English.
March	The library and the co-organizers of the III National Children’s Book Festival /May 9 – 10, 2001/ announced a national literature competition “The book of XXI century”. Children aged 6-16 could take part in it.
March 20	Readings dedicated to the 200 anniversary of Dr. Petar Beron’s birth and 130 since his death were organized in one of the reading-rooms of the library. The bio-bibliography “Dr. Petar Beron” published by the library as a part of “Eminent writers of the Bulgarian national revival of Sliven region” was presented. Compilers: Positsa Petrova-Vasileva, Galia Cholakova and Katia Siveva.
March 27	A concert of readings was dedicated to the 115th anniversary of Dobri Chintulov's death. The concert was organized in the library in cooperation with "Dobri Chintulov" High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. A quartet from the "Sliven" folk song and dance ensemble performed songs of the poet.
April	6 computers and a printer were bought. Readers had already a free access to the library’s electronic catalogue.
May 9 - 10	The IIIrd National Children’s Book Festival was organized under the aegis of the Minister of culture Ms. Emma Moscova. The program of the festival included: “Children’s books in the beginning of the third millennium– publishing, dissemination, reading”, literature competitions, an exhibition of illustrations “Vadim Lazarkevich” from the private collection of the painter, performances of “Atelier 313” theatre and “Slon” Little puppet theatre, meetings with the writers Ivan Tsanev and Nikolai Milchev, presentation of books of “Slovo” and “Egmont Bulgaria” publishing houses, presentation of “Harry Potter” series and an exhibition of drawings of the book, premiere of Evgenia Genova’s book “Kitten-first-grade pupil”, announcement of the results of the literature competition “The book in the XXI century” and many concerts. Representatives of the Bulgarian communities in Bosilegrad - the poet Ivan Nikolov and Denko Rangelov - a director of “Brotherhood” Publishing house /Nish, Serbia/, Ms. Ani Beder-representative of the Congress book centre in Montréal /Canada/ were guests of the festival. The actor Dimitar Rachkov was a presenter of the festival’s program. An advertising CD of the festival was presented.
May	The library was awarded a diploma by the Ministry of culture for its contribution to the development of Bulgarian culture.
May	The library was subsidized 15 000 levs by the Ministry of culture in execution of the Act for protection and development of Bulgarian culture. The subsidy suited the needs of library-informative services which included: providing new informative resources; developing a regional informative network; coordinating, qualificatory and expert-consultant activities for the libraries of Sliven and Yambol regions and carrying out projects for lifelong education, cultural integration and civil participation. Computers, office equipment and software will be bought and training courses for library specialists and readers for work with the new informative technologies will be carried out as results of the project.
June	The heirs of Rouschevi family brought a suit against the library for its building in Bourgas court of appeal.
June- July	Four courses for work with the new informative technologies were held in the library’s electronic reading-room– two for library specialists and two for readers.
July 22	The library organized in cooperation with the Ministry of culture and the municipalities of Sliven and Yambol a seminar on topic: “Future of community centers – challenges and alternatives”. The “Community centers” project of the Program for Development of the United Nations and opportunities for financing of the community centers were presented on it. Antoaneta Ginina /Ministry of culture/ and Emilia Lisichkova – an executive directress of “Community centers” project took part in the seminar.
July 24	The poetess Nadya Nedelina donated to the library 84 books with autographs – a property of her family.
September	The Embassy of the United States by the American centre and the Agency for foreign aid donated to the library 492 children’s books in English to a total value 3396$.
September 25-29	The directress of the library Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva was a guest on the Days of Turingia /Germany/ and read a report on the Scientific conference on topic: “Multi-cultural integration of foreigners and the role of European libraries” held in Gera (Germany). The conference was a part of the project of the same title in partnership with the libraries of Kuopio /Finland/, Arnheim /the Netherlands / and Gera /Germany/.
September	The library was a host of the yearly national meeting of the users of the library system E-Lib
October	The library in cooperation with “Jajda” Publishing house, the Cultural Figures Club and the Women’s Democracy Union put forward a suggestion Nadya Nedelina- the famous Bulgarian poetess to be awarded “Dobri Chintulov” prize for literature and arts for 2001.
Top of page	2002
January 31	A presentation of books of Sliven writers published in 2001 was organized by the library. 38 books were published in 2001 by 27 Sliven authors. The library awarded its newly established prize “A donor of the year” for the first time. The winner of the prize was “Jajda” Publishing house which donated to the library more than 400 books in 2001.
March	The library and the co-organizers of the IV National Children’s Books Festival announced a National literature competition on topic: “My favorite book character”.
March 25 – 29	“In the magic world of fairy-tales” classes with pupils from the primary schools of Sliven were organized in the “Arts” department’s reading-room for the fifth year. The topics of the classes in 2002 were Ran Bosilek’s books “Little ruffians kingdom” and “The Blackbird”.
May 9-10	The IV National Children’s Book Festival was carried out under the aegis of the Minister of culture- professor Bojidar Abrashev. The program of the festival included meetings with the authors: Valeri Petrov, Victor Samuilov, Georgi Konstantinov, Liudmil Stanev, as well as the authors from Sliven and Yambol, who wrote for children /Evgenia Genova, Sava Peev, Kamen Vasevski, Vesko Petrov, Margarita Mutafova, Rositsa Todorova, Genka Bogdanova/; literary competitions; an opening of exhibition – illustrations “Alexandar Denkov”; a presentation of Bulgarian children’s magazine “Companion”, published in Nish /Serbia/ and “Native land” newspaper /Odesa, Ukraine/, a Round table on theme “The children’s books – publishing, dissemination and reading”; reporting the results from the National literary competition “My favorite literary character”; book bazaars; concerts. Guests of the festival’s events were Kosta Tsonev – a vice president of the Commission of culture at the National Assembly, Rumen Dimitrov-a vice-minister of culture, Igor Chipev – a director of the National Book Centre at the Ministry of Culture, lecturers, publishers, library specialists, representatives of the Bulgarian communities abroad / the poet Georgi Barbarov ( Kishinev, Moldova), Dora Kostova - a chief editor of “Native land” newspaper ( Odesa, the Ukraine), Denko Rangelov – a director of “Brotherhood” publishing house (Nish, Serbia)/. A special guest of the Festival was Dushan Djurdjev – a director of the International Book Centre for children and the International Festival ”Zmejeve dechje igre” /Novi Sad, Serbia/ The presenters of the Festival’s program were the actors Maria Sapundjieva and Hristo Mutafchiev.
June	The library was nominated again for the “Hristo G. Danov” award, but in “Library activity” section.
June 9 - 13	The directress of the library Rositsa Petrova- Vasileva took part in the International festival “Zmejeve dechje igre” /Novi Sad, Serbia/.
July - August	4 computer courses for library specialists /from the community centers and schools libraries/ and readers were organized on a library’s project in the library.
August	Two computers and air-conditioners were bought for the reading room №2, “Acquisition, book processing and cataloguing” department and for the electronic reading-room.
October	Boris Simitchiev’s book “Names, which have to remember –portraits of 70 eminent citizens of Sliven” was published by the help of the library.
November	The writer Tsoncho Rodev donated 164 slides from his own archives. The slides were made during 1970-1984, when he had been working under the trilogy about the history of Sliven during the Revival – “The storm”, “Rumbles” and “And it became a day”. This photographic fund included landscapes from historical places and landmarks, monuments of culture, famous persons’ native homes in Sliven and the region from the age of the Turkish yoke and the Bulgarian national revival.
November	The representation of the Russian Academy of sciences in Bulgaria and the countries from East Europe donated 53 volumes of Russian literature.
Top of page	2003
January	The library and the co-organizers of the V Children’s Book National Festival – Sliven, May 8-9, 2003, announced a National literary competition and a competition for drawing on theme “My dreams re-created in books”.
February 17	Books of Sliven authors published in 2002 – 12 books of poetry, 4 books of prose, 2 comic books, 3 books for children and 6 books of regional studies were presented in the library. The writer Tsoncho Rodev was a winner of the “Donor of the year” library’s prize for 2002.
February	“Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library’s facade was renovated by a “Beautiful Bulgaria” project.
March 24 -28	For the sixth serial year in the library were implemented Classes “In the fairy world of tales” were organized in the library for pupils of primary schools in Sliven.
May 8-9	The Vth National Children’s Book Festival was carried out under the aegis of the Minister of culture professor Bojidar Abrashev. Meetings with the writers Georgi Konstantinov, Petya Alexandrova, Victor Samuilov, Evgenia Genova; a premierе of Zlatko Enev’s book “The forest of ghosts ” /Berlin, Germany/ were included in the program of the Festival; meetings with the poets from the Bulgarian communities abroad Tania Tanasova /Moldova, Radko Stojanchov /Serbia/ and Alexander Denkov /Serbia/; a round table on topic “The Children’s Book National Festival – ideas and perspectives”; literature competitions; performances of “Elephant” - Puppet theatre; exhibitions of children’s drawings “My dreams re-created in books”; many concerts; readings of poetry and a carnival. Guests of the Festival were representatives of the Town library of Pecs in Hungary.
May	The library was awarded a diploma by the Ministry of Culture for organizing and carrying out of the Fifth National Children’s Book Festival.
June	By decision №760/1.06.2003 The High Court of Cassation in the Republic of Bulgaria threw off the presented claims of Kamen Georgiev Ruschev from Toronto /Canada/ and Georgi Ruschev Ruschev from Sofia against Sliven of 310 square meters, including a part of the yard and the old part of the building of the Regional Library. The decision wasn’t liable to appealing and the building was left to the library.
August	A laser-printer, 2 ink-jet printers, 3 computers and air-conditioners for reading room №1 and for the director’s study were bought. The library equipment of the reading-rooms, writing-desks and chairs in the departments were renovated.
September 21-27	Tsenka Markova and Petya Kaneva - representatives of the library took part in the “Days of the European Union”, which were organized by the Town library of Pecs /Hungary/. A conference on topic: “Place and role of the libraries in the EU” and a work meeting on “The European Union through the Children’s eyes” project, financed by the EU in partnershop with the Town library of Pecs /Hungary/, the Town library /Dunajska Streda, Slovakia/ and “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional library – Sliven were held, where Rositsa Petrova Vasileva– a directress of the Sliven library read a report.
October 14	A competition for children’s drawing was announced on topic: “The European Union through children’s eyes” as a part of the International project of same title, which was realized in partnership with the town libraries of Pecs /Hungary/ and Dunajska Streda /Slovakia/.
October 16	The library presented Petya Alexandrova’s book “A fig’s girl” in cooperation with the Cultural Figures Club.
October 22	An exhibition on occasion of the Day of United Nations Organization was exposed in the library’s foyer. Materials for fight against AIDS, about the corruption in the United Nations Organization, about the young people living in countries in transition, about the human rights, about the different projects developed in Bulgaria, as one of them was “Citizen’s participation and development through the community centers’ network” were presented.
November 1	A project in partnership with the Institute for international co-operation at the Association of German national universities for education and obtaining of Xpert and Xpert Master European computer certificate started.
November 10-14	Trainings in information technologies, organized on “Community centers train community centers” program by “Community centers” project and the library qualificatory program were carried out in the electronic reading-room of the library. The training included the modules: “Basis of electronic processing of data”, “Basis of word-processing” and “Basis of Internet”. Ten representatives of community centers of Sliven municipality were trained.
December 8	Dimitar Dimitrov –the vice-president of the Association of book-publishers presented books of “Tangra Tan Nak Ra – General Bulgarian Foundation” publishing house.
December 19	The prizes of the participants-winners in the competition for children’s drawing “The European Union through the children’s eyes” were handed on an official ceremony in the reading room of “Arts” department.
December	Dimitar Petkov – a journalist donated 260 books to the library.
Top of page	2004
January	Books of Sliven writers published in 2003 were presented in the reading room of the library. “A Donor of the year” yearly prize was awarded to Veselina Sharkova – a wife of Sliven poet Konstantin Sharkov, who donated to the library more than 400 books from the private book collection of the poet.
February	“Sava Dobroplodni” Regional library and the co-organizers of the VI Children’s Book National Festival announced a National literary competition and a competition for drawing on topic: “The world in my favorite book”.
February	A project for constructing and enlarging of the Regional library’s central building was developed to a total value 220 000 EUR and was put forward to the Social Investment Fund.
February 26	The Municipal council – Sliven supported the financing of 20 % from the total value of the project, sponsored by the Social Investment Fund for enlarging of the library.
March	The first lady of Bulgaria – Mrs. Zorka Parvanova accepted the invitation of the organizers of the VIth National Children’s Book Festival to be a patron of the festival together with the Minister of culture.
March 24	The Minister of culture professor Bojidar Abrashev visited the library. He got to know its activities, equipment, priority tasks; problems which demanded urgent solving and supported the VIth National Children’s Book Festival – in May, 2004.
April	The writer Atanas Slavov donated all of his works, published in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as books edited, translated and compiled by him. “Atanas Slavov” book fund was found.
May	The repair of library’s facade financed by a “Beautiful Bulgaria” project ended.
May 2	An issue for the National Children’s Book Festival in Bulgarian and in English was published. The history of the Festival, its aims, co-organizers, guests of the Festival, all festival’s events during the years and awards were described in the issue. A compiler: Rositsa Petrova Vasileva
May 5	“Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library was accepted for a collective member of the Union of Bulgarian Scientists–branch Sliven.
May 10-12	The VIth National Children’s Book Festival was carried out under the aegis of the Minister of culture – professor Bojidar Abrashev and the first lady of Bulgaria Mrs. Zorka Parvanova. The Festival’s program included: meetings with the authors: Georgi Konstantinov, Victor Samuilov, Maia Dalgacheva, Elizabeta Georgieva and Sania Liubenova from Serbia, Niko Stoyanov /Moldova/, Tania Tanasova /Moldova/; Performances of the Victor Samuilov’s book “We, the sly boots”, Evgenia Genova’s book – “The adventures of the sparrow Teodosii” and the Nina Petkova’s book “A first lesson”; An opening of exhibition – illustrations of the painter Victor Paunov, two exhibitions of children’s drawings – from the competitions “The world in my favorite book” and “The European Union through children’s eyes”, a pupils’ exhibition from “Sofronii Vrachanski” primary school from Kotel; a round table on topic “The children’s book – publishing, disseminating and reading”; literary competitions “We like reading”; concerts, performances of the National Youth Theatre and the Dramatic Puppet Theatre – Yambol; a presentation of “Lista” and “Letera” publishing houses, a carnival procession. The final part of the quiz “The EU through children’s eyes” was carried out. The newly established “Konstantin Konstantinov” National award for contribution to book publishing for children of the Ministry of culture, the National Book Centre, “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library, Sliven Municipality and Rotary Club – Sliven was awarded for the first time. The award would be handed yearly during the National Children’s Book Festival in 4 sections – for entire contribution, for an author, for a publishing house and an illustrator. It consisted of a plastic art sculpture, a diploma and amount of money. The Sliven sculptor Seifetin Shekerov was an author of the plastic art. The “Konstantin Konstantinov” award was handed in two categories – a prize for entire contribution was awarded to the poet Valeri Petrov and the “Fiut” publishing house won the prize in section “publishing house”. Special guests of the Festival were Mrs. Zorka Parvanova, His Excellency Mr. Tibor Hovan – a vice-ambassador of Republic of Slovenia in Bulgaria, Mr. Jozef Keresturi – a director of the Town Library of Pecs /Hungary/, His Excellency Hasan Al Barmaui – an honourable consul of Jordan Kingdom in Bulgaria, Mr. Kosta Tsonev – a vice-president of the Commission of culture at the National Assembly. Presenters of the Festival’s program were the actors Hristo Mutafchiev and Nencho Ilchev.
May 11	His Excellency doctor Hasan Al Barmaui, the honourable consul of Jordan Kingdom was a special guest of the VIth National Children’s Book Festival. He donated 35 books about the history, customs of the people, literature and culture of the Jordan Kingdom during his visit in the library.
May	The Regional library of Gera /Germany/ donated 80 books of contemporary American authors in German to the library.
June	The repair of the library’s facade finished.
June	The library won a project in the competition “Aid for the libraries 2004” of the National Book Centre at the Ministry of Culture to a total value 2200 levs.
June	78 books and 4 CD players were donated to the library by the Embassy of the United States in Sofia.
July	Specialists from the library carried out one week training course for librarians from the community centers’ libraries of Tundja Municipality / Yambol region/.
July	The Regional Library received a medal and a diploma from the International Festival “Zmejeve dechje igre” /Novi Sad, Serbia/ for its effective work with children and for a contribution to the popularizing and reading of children’s books.
August	A reconstruction of reading- room №1 and of the foyer of the library was made. The lighting in all rooms was renovated.
August	3 computers, 3 printers and 1 scanner were bought.
October	Specialists from the library carried out one-week training course for librarians from the community centers’ libraries in Nova Zagora municipality.
October	The exhibitions “Olivie Talek – an illustration for children” and “34 African illustrators – for the youth” were exposed in “Sirak Skitnik” art gallery by the initiative of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library and with the cooperation of the embassy of Republic of France in Bulgaria, the French Institute of Culture and the National Book Centre at the Ministry of culture in Bulgaria.
October	The wife of the late Sliven actor Nikolaj Mandadjiev – S. Mandadjieva donated to the library 880 books from their private family book collection.
December	A Regional Eurodesk Centre started to operate in the Foreign languages Centre as a result of a project on the “Youth” program of the EU. The aim of the centre was to assist the distributing of youth information within Europe, to supply information about the opportunities of education, work and free time in Europe; European programs in development which give supply a financial help; initiatives, projects and partners from all Europe.
December 3	The library was a co-organizer of a Scientific conference on the occasion of the celebration of 170 years of the establishment of “St Nikolai Wonder Worker” temple.
Top of page	2005
January 18	The first meeting of the Organizing Committee for celebrating the 50 anniversary of the establishment of the library was held. Mr. Jordan Lechkov – a mayor of Sliven was a president of the Committee.
January 20	“Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library and the co-organizers of the VIIth National Children’s Book Festival – May, 2005 announced a National literary competition and a competition for drawings on topic: “Book, My Fairy”!.
February 11	Books of Sliven writers published in 2004 were presented. The poet Tenko Rangelov and the literary critic Dimitar Bechev analyzed the 35 books. The Right Reverend Sliven bishop Joanikii attended the meeting. Mrs. S. Mandadjieva was awarded the “Donor of the year - 2004” library’s prize.
February 24	A presentation of “World and diplomacy”newspaper - the Bulgarian edition of the French newspaper “Le Monde diplomatique” was organized by the library and “Friends of the library” club-Sliven. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper the writer Nikolai Stoyanov and Angel Grigorov – the vice-editor-in-chief attended the presentation.
March 21	A project of the library and the Ministry of culture on the communicative strategy of Bulgarian government for joining of Bulgaria to the EU started officially. The project was carried out in partnership with the Regional library of Yambol and the town libraries of Tvarditsa, Nova Zagora and Pomorie. A time-table of activities was approved, the coordinators of the project in the towns were defined, terms for participation in the competitions and the script of the quizzes were defined, etc.
March	“Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library and the Ministry of culture announced a literary competition and a competition for drawings on topic: "European Union through children’s eyes” on the project on the communicative strategy of Bulgarian government.
April	Reading-room N2 and the “Arts” department were reconstructed.
April	The hand-book “Europe-our common home” was published for preparation of the participants in the quizzes on the project on the communicative strategy of Bulgarian government. A compiler: Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva. The hand-book was accompanied by a multimedia CD.
May 9-11	The VIIth National Children’s Books Festival was carried out under the aegis of Mrs. Zorka Parvanova and the Minister of culture Ms. Nina Chilova. Festival’s program included: Carrying out an interurban quiz “EU through children’s eyes”; a literary competition; meetings with the writers Stefan Tsanev, Ljuben Petkov, Stanka Pencheva, Banko Bankov, Georgi Konstantinov, Tsoncho Rodev, Bojana Apostolova and writers from Bulgarian communities abroad Milorad Gerov and Elizabeta Georgieva - Serbia, Vladimir Kaloyanov – Ukraine; presentation of “Janet-45” Publishing house; a round table on topic “Modern literature for children and its readers – tendencies, problems, perspectives”; a performance of the composer Haigashod Agassian; a carnival; many performances and concerts. The National “Konstantin Konstantinov” prize for lifelong achievements was awarded to the writer Georgi Konstantinov, in “Author” section the winner is Victor Samuilov and the winners in “Publishing house” section are “Hermes” and “Janet-45” Publishing houses. Special guests of the festival are representatives of the Town library of Pecs, Hungary, representatives of the International festival “Bibliobraz”-Moscow /Russia/ and Velimir Kostov –a director of “Brotherhood” Publishing house /Nish, Serbia/. Presenters of the concert and the events of the festival’s program are the actors Nencho Ilchev, Maria Sapundjieva and Dimitar Rachkov. Two medleys were published by the financial help of the Ministry of culture: A medley of works-winners in the national literary competition “Book, my fairy!” and a symposium of reports of the round table on topic: “Modern literature for children and its readers – tendencies, problems, perspectives”. A compiler: Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva.
May 26 – 27	An international “LITTLE” project, sponsored by the EU, started in Sestri Levante /Italy/ in which “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library is the only Bulgarian partner.
June	A medley with works-winners in the literature competition and the competition for drawings, which is a part of the "European Union through children’s eyes” project of the Ministry of culture and tourism and “Sava Dobroplodni’ Regional Library.
June 6 – 9	The directress of the library Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva took part in the 47^th International festival „Zmejeve dechje igre”/Novi Sad, Serbia/. Mrs. Petrova and Mrs. Petya Rumenova, a secretary of Sliven municipality met the mayor of Novi Sad, visited the Museum of Sremski Karlovtsi, “Mediana” municipality of Nish and donated books to the Town library of Dimitrovgrad.
June	The library got 2 donations of books- more than 100 classical children’s books of French writers by “Biblionef” association through the French embassy in Bulgaria and 32 books in German /reference books and fiction / from the Regional library of Gera, Germany.
June 20	A final seminar on the project of the library and the Ministry of culture and tourism on the Communication strategy of Bulgarian government for joining of Bulgaria to the EU was held.
July	The library bought 450 books of classical and modern Bulgarian writers as a result of project of the Ministry of culture and tourism “Bulgarian fiction in our libraries”.
September 25-28	Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva- the directress of the library and Petya Kaneva took part in a working meeting on the “LITTLE” project in Genoa, Italy. They also visited the largest children’s library in Italy “Edmondo.Amicis”
September	A literature competition and a competition for drawing “My library” were organized by the library in occasion of its 50 anniversary.
September	Library’s roof was repaired.
October 12	The book “Corruption practices. Municipal companies. Sliven region” published by “Public barometer” civil association was presented in the library.
October 16-19	Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva, a directress of the library, took part in the events dedicated to the 20 anniversary of the Town library of Pecs, Hungary. She also attended the meeting of the representatives of Bulgarian self-government in the town.
October 18	Mrs. Nadejda Zaharieva- a vice-minister of culture visited the library and got to know library’s activity and equipment.
October 22	During the “Polar night in Sliven” on occasion of the Day of Sliven – St. Dimitar’s Day a concert with readings “Have a glass of wine with friends” was organized in the library with the participation of writers from Sliven and Sofia. Poems dedicated to Sliven were presented.
November 1	“Trud i pravo” Publishing house donated 35 books of economics, law, social and health services to the library.
November 3	The European Commission in Bulgaria donated to the library 80 books in Bulgarian on European topics, maps and posters for arranging informative stands in the library, as the library is a member of the national informative network for disseminating information about the EU.
November	A qualificatory training course for librarians of Kotel region were organized in the library.
November	“Fjut” and ‘Hermes’ Publishing houses donated books to the children’s department of the library.
December 1-2	50 years of the establishment of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library and 185 years of Sava Dobroplodni’s birth were celebrated. The program of the events included: a scientific conference dedicated to the life and work of Sava Dobroplodni; a premiere of Victor Paskov’s book “Post mortem of a love story” with the participation of the literature critic Panko Anchev and the book publisher Nikolai Stoyanov; reporting the results of the literature competition and the competition for drawing “My library” and opening an exhibition of the drawings-winners in the competition; laying wreaths on Hadji Dimitar’s and Sava Dobroplodni’s monuments; a concert with the participation of “Dobri Chintulov” choir, “Sliven” quartet, “Intro” quartet, Galina Kalcheva – a prima ballerina, Nedko Georgiev and Martin Chkalov – ballet- dancers at Opera philharmonic association – Bourgas, Ljudmila Mihailova – an opera singer. A presenter of the concert: the actor Dimitar Rachkov; presentation of the library’s bibliographies dedicated to the library’s jubilee – “50 years “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library – a bibliography and a chronicle, “Sava Dobroplodni” bio-bibliography, a symposium of reports from the scientific conference dedicated to the life and work of Sava Dobroplodni, a jubilee newspaper, an advertising brochure of the library and a CD.; “Meeting of the generations” – a meeting with former and present librarians. The program of the concert included: “The Blue bells” popular children’s songs ensemble and "Sliven" folk song and dance ensemble. 20 politics public figures and intellectual, who contributed to the library’s development were awarded diplomas and memorable symbols of the library /a small bronze sculpture/ on occasion of the library’s jubilee. Seifetin Shekerov was the sculpture of the plastic arts.

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