Liliana Slavova is a smiling girl. We associate her with her activity in the Chance for the Children and Nature of Bulgaria Foundation, because the organization has many and some very interesting initiatives. One of them is the starting point for this conversation - "Together for a better tomorrow", based on the nice idea that everyone should send to the Foundation their Book of Hope to help our faith in a better morning, and tomorrow, in these troubled times. Lily is the wife of Giovanni, whose story, directly from Italy, we included in our series Chronicle of Troubled Times, which marked the incredible moment with which destiny decided to meet us here and now.
We talk to Lily Slavova-Bruno about various things, because we need her, as well as any other hope:
View Sofia: Tell us about yourself, Lily?
Lily Slavova-Bruno: I don't like to talk much about myself. I believe that a person is what he makes of himself and what he leaves behind. Still, I will introduce myself briefly - I am a film critic and media expert by profession. I graduated in film criticism, theater studies, journalism, German studies and novels in Germany and specialized in film adaptation in the United States. My professional experience has been gained in the big televisions in Germany and in our country. However, the project that changed my life is the realization of a dream of creating a Talent Foundation! Since 2011 I have been the chairman of the Chance for Children and Nature Foundation of Bulgaria Foundation, in the same year we founded in my native Burgas the only Bulgarian European certified Center for work with young talents. I am proud of the development and success of our children, with the first free Literary Club-reading room The Little Prince, which has been stimulating reading in Burgas and the region for three years now, and with the thousands of implemented initiatives and campaigns in support of Bulgarian talents! I am a dreamer and an incorrigible optimist who does not stop believing in the good and fighting the "windmills".
VS: A little more about the Foundation?
L: The idea was born exactly 10 years ago (now I realize how imperceptibly they passed) in an informal conversation between best friends from school years. Growing up during the Transition and graduates of the English Language High School in Burgas, we were forced to scatter all over the world to continue our education and realize ourselves professionally abroad. In 2010, we decided that the time had come to do something for our country and in particular for the country's largest capital, its children. Thus was born the Chance for the Children and the Nature of Bulgaria Foundation and shortly afterwards its largest project - the creation of a Center for Young Talents. The driving force, the basis of the philosophy of the Foundation, was the clear awareness of the need to build intellectual potential, providing an opportunity for expression and development of talented and capable young Bulgarians. The main mission of the Chance for Children and Nature of Bulgaria Foundation, a member of the European Council of High Ability (ECHA) and the Center for Young Talents is to help and support the development of the gifts of Bulgarian children and young people aged 6 to 20, providing them with a chance that depends exclusively on their qualities and skills, hard work and perseverance. We successfully implement and invest in creative initiatives for advanced education and training in all areas of science, technology and art, related to the interests and diverse talents of our children.
VS: What is your Book of Hope?
L: My Book of Hope is brand new and even more dear to me because it is OURS, as it has collected the stories and essays of 28 talented children, young authors living around the world. Love. Hope. Nostalgia ... All these feelings and emotions are felt in our new book - "Letter to Bulgaria from young Bulgarians around the world". It contains the most sincere and exciting works of the participants in the VI-th literary competition "And children conquer worlds. Show that you can!" on the topic "My letter to Bulgaria", organized by our Foundation. The book collection "Letter to Bulgaria from young Bulgarians around the world" is the second in a series and is a kind of mirror of the feelings and attitudes of young people living outside our country, an interesting and important comparison with the first book "My letter to Bulgaria" published last year with the works of all young Bulgarians living in the homeland. Working on the book, in addition to pleasure, brought me a lot of optimism about the future in this difficult time for all of us.
VS: And the other 5 favorites?
L: I read a lot and find it difficult to list specific titles, but I will share some of my favorite books forever: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Pan by Knut Hamsun, Perfume by Patrick Suskind, Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins, and many others.
VS: How can we help children at this time - do not play outside, do not go to school, parents are anxious - how to save these wonderful creatures, how to make the blow less painful for them?
L: From the very beginning of the state of emergency, the most important thing for us was not to panic, but on the other hand to be responsible and keep the children healthy. Our team came together and very quickly developed distance learning programs. Along with training, we try to stimulate creativity in children and teach them endurance and patience! During these months at a social distance we try to be even more active and offer a variety of new and alternative activities. We have created a campaign to fight the virus with art entitled "Together for a better tomorrow" with various initiatives including: a virtual exhibition under the same title, "Box of dreams and desires" for all of us longing for life after the pandemic, design and sewing on original protective masks from our talents in Debut project for Fashion Design at the Center, we recorded two songs about HOPE with our vocal group "Sea Blue" and our folk group "Zelenika". We give BEAUTY and HOPE and we do not lose our optimism, in our opinion this is the most important thing at the moment.
VS: When and how does the campaign end?
L: Our latest initiative from the campaign against the pandemic through art Together for a Better Tomorrow was announced on the occasion of World Book Day. Together with our Literary Reading Club, we called on all Bulgarians to share which book gave them hope and optimism during the state of emergency, by sending us their photo with it. We are aware of the great importance of books in the life of mankind, especially in difficult times such as those of a global pandemic. We know that books are not only a faithful friend, but also manage to inspire courage, faith and optimism. With the virtual event we want not only to give hope through literature, but also to once again stimulate reading... which we cannot do without. We are very happy that so far the initiative has received an exceptional response and dozens of Bulgarians have already joined it. I would also like to thank all of our favorite Bulgarian writers, poets, actors, singers, journalists, TV producers, athletes for responding to our invitation and supporting us with desire and enthusiasm. And you will find out who they are after May 11, 2020, when the campaign is over.
VS: Whats coming next?
L: Our most important annual project to support the development of talent, the "Awards, Scholarships and Prizes" program, is forthcoming. The aim is to support the training and performances of talented children and young people in the field of science and humanities, art and new technologies. The success of Bulgarian children deserves special attention, in addition to talent, they are due to many efforts. By awarding individual prizes, we want to make the young talents of Bulgaria proud of their achievements and to highlight their success in a given field as a victory that deserves special attention. Unfortunately, for the first time, the Foundation's Awards will not be held live. We are also about to officially present our new book "Letter to Bulgaria from young Bulgarians around the world", which will also take place online but with the hope and stipulation that in the late autumn of 2020 we will be able to present the book at a special event for readers in our Literary Club-Reading Room "The Little Prince".
VS: We had the pleasure of talking remotely with your husband, Giovanni Bruno, weeks ago. How are things in Italy at the moment? Will you hug soon? What will you whisper to him first?
L: The sun is shining in beautiful Italy, summer is approaching and people are already smiling. Although with countless restrictions, life goes on, people return to work and hope for more good news. Unfortunately, there are still no flights and travel from one province to another is prohibited, so our meeting remains a daydream. Thanks to new technologies we are in constant video connection, I think that seeing all the words will be superfluous and the hug and kiss will be much more not only for the two of us, but also for all who are separated and long to touch relatives and friends! May we learn to appreciate the small but valuable things more and to capture the moments of happiness with all our senses!
Source: View of Sofia