CHILD'S SUMMER WORKSHOP "SUMMER IN THE LIBRARY - 2018" IN "SAVA DOBROPLODNI" REGIONAL LIBRARY – SLIVEN ENDED

"Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library organizes for children of Sliven summer workshop "Summer in the Library" for thirteenth consecutive year, in July.

Children’s interest in library's initiative was great this year too. Regardless of the surprises of the summer time, every weekday at 9:00 am until midday, over 35 children aged 7 to 10 attended the organized activities. Daily classes started with a fun reading lesson. Within one astronomical hour the children read books by Bulgarian and foreign children's writers not included in the "tedious and obligatory" school lists for summer reading. Well selected books by contemporary writers have attracted the interest of small readers and made reading a fun and enjoyable experience. At the end of each reading hour, the children discussed what they read, spontaneously and freely commenting on what impressed them, offering their own options for ending stories. They sincerely entertained themselves with the dramatic excerpts of the works presented by the librarians, and with great enthusiasm took part in the performance as actors.

In addition to reading classes, interesting thematic activities were also included in the daily program of the workshop. This year, some of the lessons were subject to the theme "On the Trail of Time" and offered children exciting trips to history, customs and traditions of our city. The aim is to get to know Sliven through interesting presentations, stories, lectures, films and visits to architectural and historical monuments and to natural sites. Each thematic activity related to history and the sights of the city was accompanied by visits to museums, galleries and memorial places. Through interesting presentations and creative activities, children were acquainted with the literary history of Sliven and its most prominent representatives /Dobri Chintulov, Elisaveta Bagryana, Stanka Pencheva, Konstantin Konstantinov, Nadia Nedelina, Bancho Banov, Petya Alexandrova, etc./.

On July 18, the thematic activity was dedicated to Vasil Levski. Through an interesting presentation the children became acquainted with the life and activity of the great Bulgarian and put flowers on his monument.

In the program of the workshop were also included topics related to the book publishing and the history of the book, the friendship and the ethics in the relations, flora and fauna and their preservation, as well as the children's favorite themes for the world of dinosaurs, pirates - and adventure hunters, mysterious world of fantastic beings, etc.

Traditionally, children have become acquainted with the magic of the theater, with various techniques in making theatrical puppets, with the profession of actor and director. They prepared their own theatrical performance.

On 25.07.2018 participants in the Summer Workshop "Summer in the Library" participated in a financial literacy exercise. The event is organized within the "FinKids" project of "European Initiatives without Borders", implemented with the support of ECONT Foundation. Moderator of the event was Blagovesta Tsenova - representative of the European Initiative without Borders Association.

As usually, practical activities were funniest for kids: the children were drawing, modeling, making cards, book marks, masks, bracelets and amulets, mastering the secrets of origami, etc.

Traditionally, the summer workshop ended with a special celebration - a ball of talents. On an improvised stage, the children performed their favorite songs, poems and dances, took part in fun quizzes, shared funny moments and funny misunderstandings during their activities, and told about their new friendships. Again, traditionally, each of the participants in the workshop received as a gift from the library a certificate and a nice children's book, wishing for many pleasant moments in the marvelous fairy-tale world.

The summer workshop in "Sava Dobroplodni" regional library ended, but the initiative of the cultural institution for encouraging children’s reading during the summer holiday days continue. By September 15th, all children who are readers of the library can join the "Fun Summer reading Book" campaign. For the most active small readers, there will of course be many awards.