XV NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

/SLIVEN, MAY 7-9, 2013/

Second day

 The second day of the XVth National Children's Book Festival, the 8th of May, was also full of interesting events.

The round table with international participation: “The festival – children, books, reading. Fifteen years National Children's Book Festival” continued in “Sava Dobroplodni” regional library from 9.00 a.m.

For the seventh year in a row the National Children's plain air of painting was held. The topic of the plain air this year was: “A Magical Adventure in the World of Dreams”. More than 250 talented young artists aged from 7 to 14 years from all over the country took part in it. The plain air was held from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., and it was hosted by the National Art High School “Dimitar Dobrovich”, “Sava Dobroplodni” regional library, III secondary school “Dr. Ivan Seliminski” and Children's united complex - Sliven. The paintings of children were selected by a professional jury chaired by the artist Hristo Totev and on May 9th, Thursday, from 10.30 a.m. the artists-winners received their awards at an official ceremony in “Stefan Kirov” drama theatre.

On the second day of the festival the literary marathon filled with meetings with writers and book premieres continued too.

From 9.00 a.m., in chamber hall of Drama Theatre "Stefan Kirov" the premiere of "The goblin gourd" by Angelina Zhekova was held.

The book "Little Bozhana in the underwater world" by Bozhana Apostolova was presented in 10.30 a.m.

In 11.30 a.m., again in the Chamber hall of the Drama Theatre "Stefan Kirov" was held the premiere of the collection of stories "I wa-a-a-ant! Stories of adult children". It was attended by the writers Katya Vodenicharova, Kina Kadreva, Victor Samuilov, Pancho Pantchev, Petya Alexandrova, Angelina Zhekova, Julia Spiridonova and Vesela Flamburari - winners of the National Award "Konstantin Konstantinov" - in the category "Lifetime Achievement" and "Writer" and the artists Peter Stanimirov, Spas Spassov and Ralitsa Manuilova.

From 11.00 a.m., on the open stage next to the book bazaar, a concert and a fun game with prizes "Tell me your favorite poem!",  hosted by Natalie Gevrenova and Hristo Simeonov started. Young singers from the vocal ensemble "Little Rhythms" and Club for young pop and rock artists "Rhythm" at Children's Complex - Sliven entertained the audience. The best young performers, who dare to get on stage to perform their favorite poems, were awarded souvenirs of the festival, books and magazines.

The presentation of the book "Max. Everything to the max!" by Julia Spiridonova - Julka provoked great interest of the students of XI^th classes of High School of Foreign Languages "Zahari Stoyanov" - Sliven, which began at 12:30 p.m. in the chamber hall of Drama Theatre "Stefan Kirov".

In 1.30 p.m. in the chamber hall of Drama Theatre "Stefan Kirov" the books "Harisha, the King of the Apes" and "Harisha and Anaitis" from the series "Harisha" by Bilyana Trayanova were presented.

In 1.30 p.m. in High School for Humanitarian Sciences "Damyan Damyanov"-Sliven the presentation of the book "One thousand promiles Love" by Denyo Denev started. It was attended by students from the theater troupe of High School for Humanitarian Sciences "Damyan Damyanov", led by Rosen Uzunov.

Colourful carnival procession passed on "Tsar Osvoboditel" boulevard in 4.30 p.m. Favorite characters from children’s books walked together in this procession. The floral parade involved more than 300 students from different schools in Sliven and children, who were guests of the festival. The carnival was led by "Fresh" cheerleaders from Pomorie and "Krandala Junior" brass band, led by Angel Tichaliev. A special jury selected the winners of the prize for the most original costume.

A gala concert hosted by the actors Nikolai Urumov and Alexandra Sarchadzhieva, dancers from Dance Center "Galaksiko" at "Children and youth center" - Dimitrovgrad, "Barbie" and "Vanguard" ballet troupes at the Military Club - Sliven, singers from the Club for young pop and rock artists "Rhythm", Children's Theatre Studio "Fairytale Theatre" - Burgas started in 5.30 p.m. on the big stage in Drama Theatre "Stefan Kirov". The official ceremony for the rewarding of the National Award "Konstantin Konstantinov" for contributions to children's publishing in 2013 within categories - Lifetime Achievement, an author, an illustrator and a publisher was held at the end of the show. Winners of the national award were: in category "Author" - Bozhana Apostolova, in category "Illustrator" - Boris Stoilov.

The Vice President Margarita Popova handed the writer Georgi Mishev the National Award "Konstantin Konstantinov" for outstanding contribution to children's book publishing for 2012. In Sliven the Vice President participated in the ceremony for rewarding the traditional awards in the XV National Children's Book Festival, which was held for the first time under her patronage.

Margarita Popova welcomed the organizers and participants of the fifteenth edition of the National Children's Book Festival. In her speech, the Vice President recalled her support for a number of initiatives to promote reading, especially among young Bulgarians. The "Big Summer Reading” was held under her patronage in June 2012. The Vice President also supported the campaign "Let’s gift a Book" and books to create a library in the home for children deprived of parental care in Veliko Tarnovo were donated on her own initiative. "These initiatives raise a smile, open your hearts and provoke more human warmth," said Margarita Popova in her address. She praised the work of the organizers of the National Festival - "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library in Sliven, with the support of Ministry of Culture, the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, regional and municipal administrations of Sliven.

Earlier, Mrs. Margarita Popova visited the new part of the building of the Regional Library in Sliven.