XVIII NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

/SLIVEN, MAY 9-11, 2016/

Third day

 The third and last day of the XVIII National Children's Book Festival began with a press conference with the winners of the National award "K. Konstantinov" for contributions to children's publishing in 2016. At 9.00 a.m., in the press centre of the Festival in Drama theatre "Stefan Kirov", representatives of national and regional media had the opportunity to personally meet the winners of the prizes: VELICHKA NASTRADINOVA – in category "For outstanding contribution", RUMEN IVANCHEV - in category "Author", SILVIYA KALOYANOVA – in category "Illustrator" and „КRAGOZOR” PUBLISHING HOUSE – in category „Publishing house”, to learn about their first reactions after the ceremony.

The National Award "Konstantin Konstantinov" for contributions to children's publishing was established in 2004 by the Ministry of Culture, Municipality Sliven, "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library and Rotary Club - Sliven. The prize has been awarded annually by the National Children's Book Festival, for a contribution to book publishing for children in the previous year. It includes a small sculpture, a diploma and money and it is awarded in four categories: Award for a Lifetime Achievement and awards for a publishing house, an author and an illustrator. The first winner of the award was the poet Valery Petrov, and for a Publishing house - "FIUT" Publishing House.

 At 10.00 a.m. on the open stage of the festival on 1 "Tsar Osvoboditel" boulevard started the performance „The Puss in Boots“, performed by „Маrieta and Marionetta” theater troupe.

 Theatre troupe "Marieta and Marioneta" was founded in 1992. Today "Marieta and Marioneta" is a colorful group of creative personalities, actors and puppeteers, clowns and mimes, directors and writers, musicians and artists, costume makers and puppet makers.

 In the biography of theater house "Marieta and Marioneta" there are 29 theatrical tours in France (1991-2014); International participation in the Francophone project "Caravan of the ten words" (La Caravane des dix mots) in 35 francophone countries worldwide (2008-2014).

There are also many participations in national and international festivals: Festival "Apollonia" - Sozopol (2000), Festival "Tales and legends of Albie", Les-h-Albin, Savoie, France (2004), Puppet Theatre Festival "Two are few, three are too many "-  Plovdiv (2005), Eighth National children's book Festival - Sliven (2006), the Ninth National children's book Festival- Sliven (2007), International Festival Rio Loco in Toulouse, France (2008), together with SPT "Georgi Mitev" -Yambol, International festival in Avignon, France (2009, 2010), Festival "East Wind" La Rosier, France (2009-2010), International Festival of Puppet Theater in Forges Les Oh, France (2010), sixteenth National children's book Festival - Sliven (2014).

The Official Ceremony for awarding the winners in the national literary competition on the theme: "The secret of a dreams seller" and the National plain-air of children's drawings on the theme: "Adventure through the Looking Glass" was held at 10.00 am in the Grand Hall of Drama theater "Stefan Kirov".

More than 800 children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years from Bulgaria and Bulgarian communities abroad took part in the national literary contest with specially written for the competition tale, story or poem. In the three age groups there were 45 young artists awarded. The winners were published on the web - site of the festival http://childbookfest.iradeum.com. The works of the winners in the contest were published in a collection.

More than 280 children nationwide aged 7 to 15 years divided into three age groups took part in the National plain-air on children's drawing. The Jury consisting of: Petar Stanimirov, Boris Stoilov and Hristo Totev selected 18 winners.

Awards of the winners in the national literary contest were handed in by Dimitar Mitev - Chairman of the Municipal Council of Sliven / category “Poetry"/ and Biserka Mihaleva - Head of the RIE of MES – Sliven, both are members of the Organizing Committee of the XVIII National Children's Book Festival.

Awards of the winners in the National plain air of children's drawings were handed in by V. Pentcheva - Director of III Primary school "Dr. Iv. Seliminski" and V. Hristova - Director of XII Primary school "E. Bagryana" - Sliven – members of the Organizing Committee of the festival.

The winners were welcomed by R. Petrova-Vasileva - director of "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional library and organizer of the festival.

 In the final concert of the XVIII^th edition of the National Children's Book Festival took part the vocal ensemble at the Children's Choir "Milka Stoeva" - Burgas, singers from the club for young pop and rock artists "Rhythm" at Children's Complex - Sliven, children's vocal group "Slaveiche" at II elementary school "Hristo Botev" - Sliven, sport dance club "Tuida".

The festival traditionally was closed by children's vocal group "Slaveiche" with the performance of the anthem of the festival – lyrics by P.Aleksandrova and music by H.Agasyan.

Children's Choir "Milka Stoeva" - Burgas was established in 1947 from the famous educator, composer and conductor Boris Ibrishimov. With its rich creative biography Burgas Children's Choir ranks among the best Bulgarian choirs in the country. Over the years, the choir grew into choral school that educated and created many famous musicians, singers and fans of music. A huge contribution of the high level of major international awards and an active cultural life of the choir ahs its longtime conductor and leader - Milka Stoeva, which is the reason why in 2003 children's choir was named after her.

Burgas Children's Choir has an important contribution and main creative engagement in the preparation and implementation of the first of its kind in Bulgaria National Children's Song Contest "Melodious Lark". It has been held annually since 1980 until today, and over 400 new songs for children by Bulgarian composers were performed by young singers from Burgas.

 The choir has won many international prizes and awards from prestigious choral competitions and festivals. There were numerous concert tours in Serbia, Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, and Turkey.

At 11:00 am a fun game with prizes “Tell me your favorite poem!" again gathered many candidates for glory. Small and elder readers had the opportunity to meet with publishers of their favorite children's books. Performers from the club for young pop and rock artists "Rhythm" at Children's Complex - Sliven and Club Dance Sport "Sliven" - Sliven entertained the audience.

Sport dance club "Sliven" - Sliven has competitors in all age groups from 9 to 19 years. Couples are multiple winners of the Cup "Sliven", Cup "Gabrovo", Cup "Bulgaria", etc. Dancers from the club achieved international success in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Macedonia, Moldova and Germany. Club "Sliven" is a longtime organizer of state championships and national tournaments and the only one in the country - Championship.

 The club for young pop and rock artists "Rhythm" at Children's Complex - Sliven, with vocal pedagogue Elena Peeva was established in 1991. It trains children and young people from 5 to 25 years. Its members have won many awards at national competitions. They have participated in several television shows. Since 2004 club "Rhythm" has been the initiator and one of the main organizers of the annually held in the city National Festival for young singers of popular music "Coloured pitchfork".