Residence for young writers

As part of "Vratsa – Book Town 2025," the Hristo Botev Regional Library in Vratsa invites young authors (18+) from Vratsa and northwestern Bulgaria participated in the first writers' residency in the village of Chelopek – the village of books.

Within the framework of the festival "Vratsa - Book City", the first creative writing residency was held, which turned the village of Chelopek - the first book village in Bulgaria - into a home of inspiration.
Under the mentorship of writer Ina Ivanova, young authors had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of literature, participate in lectures, frank conversations and creative exercises.

From September 25 to 27, 2025, in the village of Chelopek, Vratsa Balkan, young people and active artists (aged 18+), with a pronounced interest in writing fiction and poetry in Bulgarian, members of a literary or reading club joined in with enthusiasm and creative mood.

A walk to the picturesque area of ​​Pogledets gave them breathtaking views, and the village opened its rich cultural and natural beauty to them.

At the Knigini Visitor Center, the participants also experienced an encounter with new technologies through virtual reality – yet another proof that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.
The first residency in Chelopek was magical, successful and inspiring – a true literary adventure that puts the Northwest on the map of contemporary writing.

In conclusion, it can be said that the goals of the residency were successfully fulfilled, namely:

  • Provided three full days for deep, undisturbed creative work amidst inspiring nature;
  • Encouraged youth literary activity;
  • The correct and creative use of the Bulgarian language;
  • Preserved cultural identity through children’s and youth literature;
  • Supported talented young authors from the region.

Mentor of the residency - Ina Ivanova

Biography

She is the author of the short story collections Right to Choose and Other Curses (published by Ars, 2009), The Name of the Day (published by Janet 45, 2012), Flying Accordion (published by Janet 45, 2014) and And Always Love (published by Janet 45, 2023), the novel Kar Tanesi (e-book) and the poetry collections Small Letters (published by Janet 45, 2016), Wings of Papyrus (published by Janet 45, 2019) and The Things We Keep Silent About (published by Janet 45, 2022).

She has published texts in the magazines "Sovremennik," "Literary Newspaper," "Page," "Toest," "Zero32," and many other publications, as well as in the anthologies "Other Water," "6+," "Fathers Don't Leave," Baba, and Pod Ezika.

She is the recipient of literary awards, including the Hristo Fotev National Poetry Award and the Plovdiv Award in the category of fiction and humanities.

She is an editor of fiction. She teaches creative writing at the Syndicate Modern Academy of Arts. She moderates literary meetings.

Her texts have been translated into English, Spanish, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Farsi, Arabic, Croatian, and Serbian.

Fill out the form now and become part of the first Residency for Young Writers in the Northwest!

    ПОЛУЧИ ПРОГРАМАТА

    Остави имейл и ще ти изпратим пълната програма на „Враца – книжен град“ (23–27 септември 2025 г.) веднага щом бъде публикувана.
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