site.btaBTA Director General Awards Winners of Competition for Children's Paintings

Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev awarded the winners of a competition for children's artworks in Strazhitsa. It is organized by Strazhitsa Municipality and the Centre for Personal Support and Development - Municipal Children Complex. It is part of a series of events commemorating Bulgarian children's literature writer Angel Karaliychev (1902-1972), who was born in the town. A total of 73 children and young people took part, divided into three age groups.

Among the youngest participants, from 1st to 4th grade, the winner was Valeriya Mahnach. In the second age group, grades 5 to 7, the first place went to Siana Stefanova. In the third group, from 8th to 12th grade, the winner was Kadir Mustafov.

The award ceremony started with a welcome speech by the Strazhitsa Municipal Council Chair Iliyan Marinov.

Valchev presented a special gift to the Municipality of Strazhitsa. It is a copy of an archival document that mentions when the celebration dedicated to Karaliychev was first held - September 22, 1962. He stressed that BTA has kept archives since 1898 and told more about what the Agency is, what activities it performs and what opportunities it provides. He made a connection between the news institution and Karaliychev's tales.

The Director General also announced two special prizes from BTA for the winners of a literary competition - Elizabet Ralcheva and Ivayla Ivanova. They are eligible for internships at the Agency once they turn 18, as well as the opportunity to work as junior reporters and editors at the Agency.

The award ceremony was attended by GERB-UDF MP Dimitar Nikolov and Strazhitsa Mayor Yordan Tsonev, municipal officials, children, youth and parents.

Strazhitsa's Centre for Personal Support and Development - Municipal Children Complex Director Daniela Mihaylova told BTA that the children who attend the Centre are about 120, aged 6 to 16. They are involved in painting and ceramics clubs, folklore and traditions, English language, a literature club, cheerleading, chess and other sports.