The young authors, participants in the “South Spring” National Debut Literature Contest, planted a cedar this morning in “Kenana” Park. The deputy mayor of the municipality of Haskovo, Maria Valcheva, and Yordanka Ivanova, head of the “Education, Culture, Youth Activities and Sports” department in the local administration, joined the initiative.
Maria Valcheva recalled that the “South Spring” alley was restored two years ago on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the “South Spring” Literary Days. Then 50 cedars were planted there. Since then, every year the participants in the competition add another tree to the alley to count down the years of the only competition in Bulgaria for young authors who have published their first book in the last year.
“The tree symbol is by no means accidental. It symbolizes life, youth and the roots of people. Debutantes who join in planting the trees can feel this continuity between generations, and yet the excitement they feel during the Literary Days is enhanced even more by their contact with nature,” said Maria Valcheva.
“The initiative of planting a tree is wonderful, because in this way we both help nature and create a nice tradition that will be continued by other debutante writers,” said Katrin Disheva from Sofia, who is one of the debutantes in the national contest.
Today is the first meeting of the participants in “South Spring” with the jury. 30 authors are participating in the National Debut Literature Competition “South Spring” 2024. Since the creation of “South Spring”, 154 debut authors have been awarded the title of “Laureate” of the National Competition for Debut Literature. The chairman of the jury is Prof. Valery Stefanov, Prof. Dr. Plamen Antov, Associate Professor Mladen Vlashki, Yordan Velchev and Mitko Lambov. Who are the laureates of “South Spring” this year will become clear tomorrow, at the official award ceremony at 18:00 at the “Kirkov School” house-museum.
