site.btaChelopek Unveils 230 Literary Plaques Across Village
A total of 230 literary plaques were unveiled on private homes and public buildings in the village of Chelopek, near Vratsa (Northwestern Bulgaria) on Monday. The event was attended by Education Minister Georgi Valchev, Chelopek Mayor Tihomir Toshev and Maria Doncheva, Chair of the Management Board of the Knigini Association.
Valchev said Chelopek had successfully built a local identity by turning literature into the village’s defining feature, following the legacy of writer Ivan Vazov. He called for similar initiatives across Bulgaria to help revive smaller communities.
Toshev emphasized that residents had responded positively to the project and added that the village has raised more than EUR 80,000 in donations for local causes over the past decade.
The initiative is part of the World Meeting of the International Organisation of Book Towns and Book Villages, held in Chelopek and Vratsa from September 11-16, with participants from countries including New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Norway and Canada. Chelopek became Bulgaria’s first Book Village in 2019 and is a member of the international organization.
The plaques were installed by the Knigini Association in partnership with the local authorities, community center, Vratsa Regional Library and the international organization. The project is funded by Bulgaria’s National Culture Fund.
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