X National Children’s Book Festival

Sliven , May 7-9, 2008

For the tenth year in a row the X National Children’s Book Festival was held in the beginning of May, in Sliven, under the initiative of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library, supported by the Ministry of culture, the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, Sliven Regional Administration, Sliven municipality, Rotary club – Sliven, the biggest children’s book publishing houses and other organizations.

For fifth year in a row the Festival was organized under the aegis of the First lady of Bulgaria Mrs. Zorka Parvanova and it gathered together in Sliven guests and participants from Bulgaria and abroad, book-publishers, illustrators, distributors of books, library specialists – all the people, who ensure the natural live connection with the youngest readers and who made the world of books interesting and attractive. The Festival again turned into a place for manifestation of the talents of all children’s, who by the help of words, the magic of songs and the beauty of dance send their message to the world.

The X jubilee edition of the National Children’s Book Festival was opened on 7 May 2008 in 10:00 a. m. in the  enchantingly decorated foyer of the Drama Theatre “Stefan Kirov” with the show, in which took part the actor Teodor Elmazov and the little fairy of tales Teodora Hristova, majorette dance troupe from 11 Secondary school ”Konstantin Konstantinov”, group for songs „Bees” at II Elementary school ”Hristo Botev”, 7-year old Stefan Petrov from the Club for young rock and pop singers „Rhythm”, children from the club for sport dancing “Sliven” and majorette dance troupe at the centre for work with children - Sliven. Mrs. Rositsa Petrova – a directress of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional library, inspirer and an organizer of the festival, welcomed the guests and the participants of the Festival. „...For the tenth year in a row writers and book-publishers, book- distributors and readers gather together in Sliven , in order to show and to meet the best works in the enchanting and real world of literature for children. Let me remind you that this literature sends a message to the heart to every child and that on the power of its influence common to all mankind values are built, that it brings happiness and inspiration to the life of every new generation. Books made children’s life more interesting and wise, and in fact it is more necessary nowadays – in this global, dynamic and pragmatic world...” she said in her speech. Guests of the ceremony were: Igor Chipev – a director of „Books and library matters” department at the Ministry of culture, Hristina Cholakova – a governor and Fatme Mustafova – vice-governor of Sliven region, Maria Gareva from the State Agency for Bulgarian abroad, Radost Kostova – vice-mayor of Sliven municipality, members of the Organizing committee of the festival, guests from Hungary, Italy, Serbia, writers, book-publishers, journalists and many children.

For second year in a row, by the support of the companies Cable Tel, Data M plant and Mobifonika, the events of the festival’s program, which took place at the theatre’s foyer, have been watched in real time in live via Internet on the following address: http://eye.sliven.net. The jubilee edition was filmed by the staff of the Bulgarian National Television /media partner of the festival /.

On the first floor of the theatre was arranged a book bazaar, on which the biggest publishing houses for children’s books were presented.  

 The festival’s program in the first day was focused on several events: the eagerly awaited and very interesting literary competition „Every child, who loves to red books knows this”, in which took part pupils from „Vasil Levski” Elementary school and II Elementary school „Hristo Botev”, a funny game with awards „Tell me your favourite poem” on the open scene in front of the Military club –Sliven, premiere of the book „How to Treat Lion’s Fear Without Drubbing” of the poetess Maya Dulgucheva and a meeting with the writer Aneta Ducheva – Fermann /Munich, Germany/. The writers Pancho Panchev, Petya Alexandrova and Georgi Konstantinov were guests in several Sliven schools. A great interest attracted the events of „Gianni Rodari – My Theatre” project of the Italian theatre foundation „Aida” / Verona , Italy /: artistic –documentary exhibition, animated readings and the performance „The Blue Arrow”. For second time there was organized also a National plain-air for children’s drawings on theme „An Adventure in the Magic World”. More than 400 children aged from 4 to 14 years from all over the country took part in it. For 4 hours children draw their enchanting fantasies in the “Stefan Kirov” drama theatre’s foyers, the reading-rooms of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional library and V Secondary School “Peyo Yavorov”. It was very hard for the jury, presided by the painter Elena Terzieva, to choose the best drawings amongst so many good works. “Jolly” theatre performed for the participants in the plain-air its show „It is all ok with us!”

Along with the numerous events of the festival’s program this year, a very important moment was the round table on theme “Book for children of XXI century and its readers”, which was held on 7 May.

The following reports were presented: Book for children of XXI century. Memories for the future /associated reader Dr. Mladen Enchev – Shumen University /; Children readers against children’s writers / associated reader Dr. Svetlana Stoycheva – Sofia University/; In which ditch is the ugly ducking hiding? /Elizabeta Georgieva, Serbia/; Unwritten, left unfinished, lost literature for children /senior research associate Vihren Chernokojev, Rositsa Chernokojeva –Bulgarian Academy of Science/; Children’s classical literature – modern also in the XXI century /chief assistant Dr. Maria Nikolova /-State University of Library Studies and Information Technologies; The Strange Dictionaries of Nihelmo Nemo / associated reader Dr. Petar Stefanov – Veliko Tarnovo University/; Modern Tale and its place in children’s life /Bogomila Atanasova – Regional library-Targovishte/; Children’s books of ХХІ century and its readers /Dr. Joseph Keresturi, Hungary/; Parabls of past – about ХХІ century /Maria Cretich, Croatia /; Chinese literature for children and its readers in 21 century /Chen In, China-graduated student in Sofia University /; Compositional characteristics  and style of design of the modern children’s books / associated reader Dr. Lachezar Georgiev - Veliko Tarnovo University /; Reading in the digital age - one (im)possible apocalypse /Dimitar Bechev –Regional library of Yambol/; Modern reading and children /professor Maria Popova –New Bulgarian University/; Forming an interest to books and reading of the young pupils (1 - 4 forms) /Iskra Arabadjieva – High School for Foreign Languages Teaching-Pleven/; Children’s books and pupils-readers in the basic stage of education / associated reader Dr. Neli Ivanova – Sofia University/.

 At the end of the first festival’s day, from 17.00 in „May” gallery was opened an exhibition of cards „Please, draw me a sheep!” /dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupery/ on project of the international festival „Zmajеvе dеchjе igre’/Novi Sad, Serbia/ of Mr. Dushan Djurdjev – a director of the festival.

The second day of Х National Children’s Book Festival started with a Troubadour sword-play under the Blue Stones, which took place in the Chamber hall of “Stefan Kirov” Drama theatre. Petya Alexandrova and Victor Samuilov fought “a poem-duel” on this first and unique event for children. The sword-play had nine rounds, presented by the actor Teodor Elmazov.

Multimedia educational games “Words”, “Ciphers” and “Writing” of “Vixix” Ltd. Were presented from 9.30 a. m. in "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional library to pedagogues and parents.           

In "Sirak Skitnik" gallery participants and guests of the festival had the chance again to enjoy the animated readings of Gianni Rodari’s works in 10.00 a. m. At the same time at the foyer of the Drama theatre сwas held the Official ceremony for awarding the participants in the National literary competition on theme " The Story of an Enchanted Book " and the National plain-air for children’s drawings on theme " An Adventure in the Magic World ". An exhibition of the best works of the plain-air was arranged at the theatre’s foyer. A collection of the works-winners in the literary competition were also given to the participants in the competition. Children from the “Blue Bells” group for pop songs, conducted by Zhivka Bolyarska, performed a concert for the winners in the both competitions.

 More than 700 children aged 7- 16 years from all over the country took part in the literary competition.  The names of the winners in the different categories are presented on the festival’s site: childbookfest.iradeum.com – section Competitions. In the National plain-air for drawingsq held on 7 May, took part more than 400 children, aged 4-14, from all over Bulgaria . It was very hard for the jury to select the best of so many wonderful works, that is why several special prizes were awarded: for original participation – Gergina Cholakova – 12 years old, and Veselina Uchkova – 12 years old, /the town of Stamboliiski/; for youngest participant – Alexandra Apostolova – 4 / Sliven/; Viktor Gurov – 5 / Sliven/; Marianna Kirilova – 5 / Sliven/; Zvezdiana Butseva – 5 / Sliven/; Tereza Yordanova – 5 / Provadia/;  Kristina Kaneva – 6 / Sliven/; Aleksey Aleksiev – 6 / Sliven/ and the Prize of the jury – Silvia Velinova – 13, Shumen.

Accent in the program of the second festival day was the Italian participation, this time the show of theatre for children of "Aida" foundation /Verona/ "The Blue Arrow" based on Gianni Rodari’s works. The show started in 11 a.m. in the Chamber hall of the Drama theatre „Stefan Kirov". The actresses Emanuella Camozzi and Cristina Nadrah performed in Bulgarian the marvelous Christmas tale. Animated readings on Gianni Rodari’s works were performed again by the actresses Emanuella Camozzi and Cristina Nadrah in „Sirak Skitnik" gallery.

The program of the second festival’s day continued with the meeting with the writer Nedyalko Yordanov, with the special participation of Haigashod Agassyan in the Chamber hall of the theatre. 

“Egmont Bulgaria ” publishing house organized for the children – guests of the Festival a literary game with awards „What do you know about books?".  A meeting with the winners of the National “Konstantin Konstantinov” award for contribution to book-publishing for children /2004-2007/ was held in Chamber hall of the theatre with the participation of actors from theatre „Classic"/junior troupe / at “Zahari Stoyanov” High school for foreign languages training.

A numerous carnival procession, in which took part more than 350 children from Sliven and guests of the festival passed through the main street of Sliven called Largo in 4.00 p.m. The procession was accompanied by “Burgas” brass band, majorette dance troupe from the town of Karnobat , conducted by St. Kombakova and the attractive actors from „Tsvete" theatre.  In front of the theatre, the children with the most original costumes, who took part in the carnival procession, have been awarded with special prizes.           

A gala concert-show and the official ceremony for rewarding of the National “Konstantin Konstantinov” prize for a contribution to the book- publishing for children for 2008 were performed in 5.30 p.m. in the Big hall of “Stefan Kirov” Drama theatre. The award has been rewarded yearly since 2004 during the days of the Festival for contributions to book-publishing for children in the previous year. The reward consists of a plastic art sculpture, a diploma and money and it is awarded in four groups: a great prize for lifelong contribution to the writing and awards for a publishing house, an author and an illustrator. First winner of the award was the poet Valery Petrov and the award for best publishing house won the “Fjut” publishing house. The actors Maria Sapundjieva, Dimitar Rachkov and Zlatko Gulekov took part in the show. Script-writer of the show was Zlatko Gulekov and the show was directed by Hristo Simeonov.  

Here are the names of the winners for 2008:

„Lifelong contribution” category

Marko Ganchev belongs to the writers-satirists, i. е. to those, who satirize the faults of the world, in order to make it better. He was born in Marcha village in 1932. He graduated Bulgarian philology in Sofia University . He worked as an editor in different newspapers and publishing houses. Since 1995 to 1999 he was a Bulgarian ambassador in Belorussia . He is also famous as a translator of poetry from Russian and German. Marko Ganchev wrote many rhymes, poems and tales for children, published in many children’s periodicals and in 14 books.

In 1988 he was registered in the honorary list of the International council of books for children as a translator of the poem „What is good and what is bad” by Vladimir Mayakovski. In 2001 he won the national literary prize „P. R. Slaveykov", awarded by the Ministry of education and science for his lifelong contribution to literature for children. In 2002 he was awarded „Stara planina" order –I class, for his outstanding contribution to Bulgarian culture.

Mrs. Nadejda Zaharieva – a vice-minister of culture handed the award to Marko Ganchev.

„Author" category

Petya Alexandrova was born in Yambol in 1948. Graduated “Dobri Chintulov” Sliven High School and Bulgarian Philology at the Veliko Tarnovo University. She is a journalist with many years of practice. She wrote numerous books, amongst which are four collections of lyric poetry for adults and nine books for children: tales, poems and one short novel for teenagers.

The tales and poems of Petya Alexandrova are full of cheerfulness, tenderness and goodness, sparkling humour and infectious optimism. In a delicate and unostentatious way her works habituate children to diligence, studiousness, respect to parents, patriotism, compassion, friendship and love to animals, plants and to nature as whole. They make children enthusiastic about the getting to know the world, to find the value and beauty in ordinary things, to provoke their imagination and make them dream. In 2007 Ministry of education and science awarded her the National literary prize „P. R. Slaveykov" for her lifelong contribution to children’s literature. Her works are included in textbooks in literature for elementary classes. She lives and works in Sofia .

 „Кonstantin Коnstantinov” prize was handed to her by Mrs. Desislava Taneva – a chairwoman of the City council– Sliven .

„Illustrator" category

Ralitsa Manuilova graduated the National arts academy in 2003, specialty “black and white drawing”, in the class of Professor Hristo Staykov.

She is a winner of various awards for drawing amongst which are: A prize for best book design for „Bulgarian diaries" (SIELA) on the Book-fair in 1995 and an Amethyst rose – for best illustration in the book „Summer tales of Maria" (SIELA).

Since 1990 Ralitsa Manuilova works professionally. She illustrated more than 20 books. She won „Кonstantin Коnstantinov” prize for her illustrations for the series of books of “EGMONT BULGARIA” publishing house „Best of Andersen ", which consist of the following books: „Tales for truth", „Tales for love ", „Tales for bravery", „Tales for hope ". Each of them also consists of two audio-CDs of the tales included. These series are continuation of the project of “EGMONT BULGARIA ” publishing house for publishing best Andersen tales, which started with the book „The Ugly Duckling and other nice tales ", also illustrated by Ralitsa Manuilova. The vividness of her illustrations re-creates the enchanting world of Andersen with its typical atmosphere in her own way. Refined lines and sense for details are emblematic for her work.

The prize in this category was handed by Mr. Krasimir Marinov, a president of Rotary club – Sliven .

„Publishing house" category

"Pan" publishing house is one of the first private publishing houses in Bulgaria. It was established in the end of 1990 by Ljubomir Rusanov, Kostadin Kostadinov and Valeri Manolov. Later Tsanko Lalev joined them.

The publishing house won recognition as a leading one in the presentation of Bulgarian and world literature for children. Partners of "Pan" publishing house are many American and Western-European publishing houses and literature agencies. Ljubomir Rusanov was handed the prize by his colleague Damyan Yakov, who is also a partner of the National Children’s Book Festival of many years. "Pan" publishing house started with the publishing of illustrated books for the little ones and today it includes in its catalogue mainly classical literary works. The series “Classical children’s novels” is a unique project, include 101 titles. All the works of the most popular writers of fairy-tales are presented in the series "Masters of fairy-tales". The series "Bulgarian classical literary works for children" and "Books for students" include classical literary works, which are studies in school by students aged 7-18. "Pan" publishing house is the Bulgarian publisher of writers as Astrid Lindgren, Roald Dal, Rudyard Kipling, Gerald Durrell, Erich Kestner, Hugh Lofting, Hector Malo, Edmondo de Amicis and many other world famous classical and modern children’s writers. 

The publishing house is a winner of the Prize of the Association of the Bulgarian book-publishers for best published book, of the prize "Hristo G. Danov" and of the prize of the Ministry of culture for lifelong contribution to the sphere of culture.

The prize, in „Publishing house” category, was handed to the winner by the president of „Bulgarian book” Association – the publisher Damyan Yakov.

Special prizes have been awarded during the concert by the organizers / «Sava Dobroplodni» Regional library– for a contribution to the organization of the festival through the years. With a specially made plastic were awarded: Mrs. Nadejda Zaharieva – a vice-minister of culture, Mr. Igor Chipev – a director of „Book and library matters” department at the Ministry of culture, the governor of Sliven region Hristina Cholakova, Mr. Ivan Hristov – a director of Raiffeisenbank-Sliven, who sponsored all editions of the festival and Dr. Penyo Semkov – the first governor of Sliven region, who supported the implementation of the first editions of the festival. The prizes were awarded by the governor Mr. Kristina Cholakova and Mrs. Rositsa Petrova – a directress of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional library.

The third festival’s day started in the theatre with a premiere of Zoya Vasileva’s book “A Jolly Band with Bare Feet” and continued with one more performance of “The Blue Arrow”, based on Gianni Rodari’s work.

Representatives of local and national media met the winners of the national “Konstantin Konstantinov” prize for 2008 in the municipality pres-centre.  

The tenth jubilee edition of the National Children’s Book Festival in Sliven was closed with a spectacular concert of Haigashod Agassyan, singers from „Rhythm” club, „Barbie” ballet at the Children’s centre and the children’s choir for pop songs „Bees". The big hall of the Drama theatre was full of people until the end of the concert – the children’s holiday ended the same way it has started – with many smiles and great mood.

The National Children’s Book Festival is a unique event in Bulgarian cultural life, which year after year stays a unforgettable experience, because of the excitement of the meetings, creative moments, new ideas and sincere children’s love and excitement. Let us wish it be the same in future.