On March 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Regional Library, the awards were presented for the annual “My Hometown” competition. For the twenty-sixth time, the Regional Education Administration – Veliko Tarnovo and the “Petko R. Slaveykov” Regional Library "Petko R. Slaveykov" announced the competition for children’s and youth creativity in the fields of Literature and Visual Arts on the theme "150 Years Since the Outbreak of the April Uprising," with a focus on commemorating the events in the First Tarnovo Revolutionary District.
The deadline for submitting entries to the competition was March 5, 2025, and the entries were submitted for judging on March 9 and 10, 2026. The “Poetry” and “Prose” categories were judged by Valentina Kamburova (journalist), Elina Daneva (librarian), Biserka Dzivoderova (playwright), and Katerina Milusheva (educator). The artists Anna Pavlova, Stefan Stefanov, Sasho Filev, and Maria Kovacheva were appointed to judge the “Visual Arts” category. Both committees were coordinated and appointed by Zdravka Mincheva—head of the Regional Education Office in Veliko Tarnovo—and Marianka Burova—director of the “Petko R. Slaveykov” Regional Library. A total of 154 works were judged. This year, a record number of 52 works were submitted in the “Literary Creativity” category. This edition of the competition also featured projects on the theme, prepared by students in grades 8 through 12 at the Professional High School of Fashion Design in Veliko Tarnovo. At the awards ceremony, in accordance with the contest’s rules, the traditional First, Second, and Third Place awards were presented in each category and respective age group. This year, the organizers also awarded participants with Special and Encouragement Prizes. There were awards for active and sustainable development. Awards were also presented to supervisors and teachers. As is traditional, artists from Veliko Tarnovo and the region participated, as well as participants from more distant locations. Entries received for judging included works by participants from the cities of Sevlievo, Panagyurishte, and Burgas. During the preliminary preparations for the celebration, the organizers noted with satisfaction that the “My Hometown” contest remains a well-known and popular event. The trend of students creating works on a theme related to an important and significant event in Bulgarian history continues. This year’s theme was a familiar one, also covered in the school curriculum. Despite the complexity of the topic, the students have done an excellent job and, through their diligence, have enriched their knowledge of history. They have successfully woven historical facts with creative writing skills, and the artists have captured entire scenes, events, and symbols from the period on canvas.
The highlight of the festive celebration was the announcement of the award-winning participants. The drawings, poems, and stories of all the winners were featured in an exhibition accompanying the awards ceremony.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Ms. Mariana Burova, director of the P. R. Slaveykov Regional Library, welcomed all guests and presented a letter of appreciation to Ms. Zdravka Mincheva, head of the Regional Education Administration, a partner in the initiative. A letter of appreciation was also presented to Dr. Ivan Tsarov, Director of the Regional History Museum, in recognition of best practices and partnership in a number of events over the years.
A number of awards were presented at the event for literary and artistic creativity, as well as for projects, leaders, and educational institutions.
In the “Poetry” category for the 7-to-10-year-old age group, the second prize was awarded to Lyubomira Dimitrova, a third-grade student at St. Kliment Ohridski Elementary School in Pavlikeni. The second prize was also awarded to Monika Dimitrova, a third-grade student at the same school. The jury awarded the First Prize to their classmate Ivayla Decheva. All three participants created their works under the guidance of Mariyka Terzieva, their homeroom teacher. She is among the teachers who have been consistent participants in the competition over the years.
In the second age category (up to 14 years old), the third prize was awarded to Monika Stefanova, a 7th-grade student at Angel Karaliychev Secondary School in Strazhitsa, and Teodora Sabeva, a 5th-grade student at Vela Blagoeva Secondary School in Veliko Tarnovo. The second prize went to the work of 12-year-old Dimana Ivanova from Dimitar Blagoev Elementary School in Veliko Tarnovo. A second prize was also awarded to Maksim Nikolov, a 6th-grade student at Vicho Gruncharov Secondary School in Gorna Oryahovitsa. The first prize went to 13-year-old Svetoslava Nedelcheva from Vicho Gruncharov Secondary School in Gorna Oryahovitsa.
In the third age category, the third prize was awarded to Ilena Stepanova from the Pegasus Literary Club (Cheta) at the Municipal Children’s Complex, Strazhitsa. The Second Prize was awarded to Plamen Nikolov, an 11th-grade student at Vicho Gruncharov School in Gorna Oryahovitsa, and 17-year-old Kristiana Yakimova, a student at Vasil Levski Secondary School in Sevlievo. She participated in the competition with two poetic works, and her award was granted for the piece “The April Chime.” First prize in the category was awarded to 17-year-old Mimi Mincheva, a student at the “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” Vocational High School of Textile Technology in Gorna Oryahovitsa.
In the third age category, the third prize was awarded to Ilena Stepanova from the Pegasus Literary Club (Cheta) at the Municipal Children’s Complex, Strazhitsa. The second prize was awarded to Plamen Nikolov, an 11th-grade student at the "Vicho Gruncharov" School in Gorna Oryahovitsa, and 17-year-old Kristiana Yakimova, a student at the "Vasil Levski" High School in Sevlievo. She participated in the competition with two poetic works, and her award was granted for the piece “The April Chime.” First prize in the category was awarded to 17-year-old Mimi Mincheva, a student at the “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” Vocational High School of Textile Arts in Gorna Oryahovitsa.
In the “Prose” section of the under-10 category, the first prize went to 9-year-old Stefani Doncheva from “St. Kliment Ohridski” Elementary School in Pavlikeni.
In the second age category, for 11- to 14-year-olds, the third prize went to 13-year-old Kalina Ivanova from the “Bacho Kiro” School in Veliko Tarnovo. The second prize was shared by Fedat Marinov, a 7th-grade student at “Angel Karaliychev” Secondary School in Strazhitsa, and 13-year-old Monika Stefanova, a student at “Angel Karaliychev” Secondary School in Strazhitsa. Monika participated in both sections of the literary competition. First prize in the category was awarded to 13-year-old Ralitsa Sabeva, a representative of the Pegasus (Reading) Club. First prize was also awarded to Ivayla Tsvetanova Ivanova, a 7th-grade student at the “Bacho Kiro” School. In this category, the jury awarded an Honorable Mention to Maxim Enev, a 5th-grade student at the “Bacho Kiro” Primary School in Veliko Tarnovo.
Among participants aged 18 and under, the Third Prize was awarded to ninth-grader Daniel Petrov from the St. Cyril and St. Methodius High School of Fine Arts. The Third Prize was also awarded to Biliana Baleva, a 10th-grade student at the Angel Popov High School of Applied Arts. Three participants were awarded second prize: Bozhidara Balkanska, an 11th-grade student at “Angel Karaliychev” Secondary School in Strazhitsa; Aydzhan Mandzhirov, an 11th-grade student at “Vicho Gruncharov” Secondary School in Gorna Oryahovitsa; Venelina Dimitrova, 16, a student at Angel Karaliychev Secondary School in Strazhitsa. The First Prize was awarded to Anton Rashkov, an 8th-grade student at St. St. Cyril and Methodius Professional High School. A first prize was also awarded to Mihaela Miladinova, an 11th-grade student at the Humanities High School. Two Honorable Mentions were also awarded in this category: to Georgi Kaponski, a 9th-grade student, and Teodor Pashov, an 8th-grade student. Both are students at the “Prof. Lachezar Tsotsorkov” Technical High School of Textile and Fashion Design in Panagyurishte.
In the literary category, the organizers also presented awards for active participation. One of these went to Ms. Daniela Solakova, a teacher at Vela Blagoeva Secondary School in Veliko Tarnovo. Under her guidance, the students submitted seven works in the “Poetry” section and performed exceptionally well in this edition of the competition. An award was also presented to Mr. Vladislav Vlaykov, a history teacher at the “Prof. Lachezar Tsotsorkov” Vocational High School of Tourism and Hotel Management in Panagyurishte. The organizers presented an award to the “Sts. Cyril and Methodius” High School of Fine Arts in Veliko Tarnovo. Students from this institution actively participated in the “Prose” section. Awards for teachers were presented to Ms. Desislava Ilieva, a teacher at SU “Vicho Gruncharov” in Gorna Oryahovitsa, and Ms. Tanya Misheva, a teacher at PHG “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” in Veliko Tarnovo.
In the “Project” category, 28 entries—flag designs—were received from students in grades 8 through 12 at the Professional High School of Fashion Design in Veliko Tarnovo. These will be included in an open lesson on a topic corresponding to the “My Hometown” contest, to be held at Vladimir Komarov Secondary School. A Special Award for active and collective participation was presented to Ms. Galya Dimitrova, a teacher at the Professional High School of Fashion Design.
A Special Award for the youngest participant was presented to 6-year-old Marta Bakalova from the “Panev” Gallery.
An award for active participation was presented to Hristo Botev Primary School in Veliko Tarnovo and Vladimir Komarov Secondary School in Veliko Tarnovo. Both educational institutions have partnered with the library on a number of events.
An award for the leader in the “Visual Arts” category was presented to Ms. Lazarinka Gancheva from Vladimir Komarov Secondary School in Veliko Tarnovo. Her students participated in the competition again this year with interesting and original works. The award for a consistent participant was presented to the “Panev” Gallery. Every year, the number of participants in the competition under their guidance increases.
In the “Visual Arts” category for children up to 10 years old, the Third Prize was shared by Veselina Ivanova and Bozhidar Tishev, fourth-grade students at Vladimir Komarov Secondary School in Veliko Tarnovo. The second prize went to Presiana Dimitrova from the same school. The first prize was awarded to 10-year-old Gergana Georgieva from Tsanko Tserkovski Secondary School in Polski Trambesh. An Encouragement Award was also presented to 7-year-old Eva Ivanova from the Panev Gallery. The organizers awarded the Prize for Originality to 9-year-old Eleazar Buzev, a student at “Vela Blagoeva” Secondary School.
In the second age group, the Third Prize was shared by 12-year-old Yoana Yordanova and 13-year-old Viktoria Yordanova. Both participants represent the “Panev” Gallery. Second prize went to 12-year-old Raya Vulkova, and the First Prize winner was 11-year-old Nikol Hristova. They also represent the gallery. An honorable mention in the category was awarded to Rumyanka Pencheva, a 5th-grade student at Angel Karaliychev Secondary School in Strazhitsa.
In the third age category, competition was traditionally fierce. There, the First Prize for portrait went to 17-year-old Alexandra Ivanova from the Angel Popov Secondary School of Applied Arts, and the Second Prize for portrait was awarded to 15-year-old Raya Raeva from the Vicho Gruncharov Secondary School in Gorna Oryahovitsa. The jury awarded the Drawing Prize to 16-year-old Anichka Ilieva from the Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov High School of Textile Arts in Gorna Oryahovitsa. An honorable mention went to 17-year-old Stefania Grozdanova from the “Panev” Gallery. Third prize was awarded to 17-year-old Yoana Yordanova from “Emilian Stanev” High School. Second prize was awarded to 17-year-old Tatiana Ruseva, a 10th-grade student at “Angel Popov” High School. The jury awarded first prize to 16-year-old Pamela Milkova from the Center for Personal Development Support in Gorna Oryahovitsa. The jury’s Special (Grand) Prize was awarded to 15-year-old Yanislav Petrov, an 8th-grade student at Tsanko Tserkovski Secondary School in Polski Trambesh.
The official guests at the event were Valentin Mihaylov, Regional Governor; Zdravka Mincheva, Head of the Regional Education Administration in Veliko Tarnovo and a partner in the initiative; Nelina Tsarova – Director of the “Directorate of Culture, Immovable Cultural and Historical Heritage, Celebrations, and Festivals”; Valeri Angelov – Parent Engagement Specialist at the Amalipe Center; Assoc. Prof. Miglena Petkova, Ph.D. – Deputy Director of the Regional History Museum, Veliko Tarnovo; Stefan Stefanov and Martin Karageorgiev – representatives of the Enlightenment Movement; Lilia Encheva – Chair of the City Student Parliament.
For the musical accompaniment, the organizers expressed their gratitude to Galina Gantsarova for her piano performance and to singer Daria Krasimirova Krasteva, an 8th-grade student at Emilian Stanev Secondary School, under the guidance of teacher Veselka Vacheva.
The works of the award-winning participants in the competition were displayed in an exhibition accompanying the ceremony. The exhibition also included the authentic personal weapons of Pop Peter Draganov Nedevski from the village of Dichen.
To conclude, the guests toured the exhibition, after which all guests and participants gathered for the traditional group photo for the contest’s archives.
The event is part of the cultural calendar of the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo, the “Petko R. Slaveykov” Regional Library, and the Regional Education Administration on the occasion of March 22—the Day of Veliko Tarnovo.
Photos from the event: Facebook
