site.bta“Marathon for Heroes” Initiative Supports Pupils in Bulgaria, Abroad

For the past four years, the Marathon for Heroes educational initiative has been supporting students in Bulgaria and abroad. Created by Assoc. Prof. Katya Simeonova from the Department of Pedagogy at the Veliko Tarnovo University, the project began as a response to global calls for child mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What started as a student-led effort has grown into a cross-border movement, connecting schools, generations, and cultures. In the summer semester of 2024–2025 alone, over 150 children and 15 teachers participated in forums, contests, and school visits linked to the 40th anniversary of the Department.

The initiative also includes pupils from Erasmus partner schools in Italy and Austria and has launched a donation programme for handmade fabric books to aid early Bulgarian language learning abroad.

Assoc. Prof. Simeonova describes Marathon for Heroes as more than a project - in her words, it is a belief that every child deserves an inspiring teacher, and every teacher, recognition and support.