A twelve-year-old student from the Bulgarian Cultural and Educational Center "Az Buki Vedi" in Ukraine, Vladislav Karazhekov, was awarded the Grand Prix in the "Prose" category during the 29th edition of the children's and youth literary contest "Stefan Gechev".
The award ceremony was held on August 8, 2025, at the Palace of Children in Sofia, organized by the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (EABA). The young author impressed the jury with a deeply emotional essay dedicated to Bulgaria.
"I dream that Bulgaria will be freed from all pressing problems and become an ideal country," Vladislav shared, whose roots are connected to Bulgaria through the memories of his grandparents – ethnic Bulgarians.
In his work, he masterfully describes the geographical position of the country, drawing inspiration from family stories. "While writing, I was inspired by my grandmother and grandfather's stories about Bulgaria. They told me about the beauty, nature, and history of this country," the young writer recounts.
During his short stay in Sofia, Vladislav had the opportunity to meet peers from Bulgarian schools in Albania and Greece. As part of his award, he will participate in a summer creative camp in the village of Brodilovo, Burgas region, together with other distinguished children.
Vladislav's participation in the contest is part of a series of initiatives that encourage the Bulgarian community abroad to preserve their identity and culture through art and literature.