Who are the inspiring figures of today’s Bulgaria?

Who today inspires people to become more active, preserve their heritage and culture, help others or make a difference in the world around them? This is the question at the heart of the “Awakener of the Year” initiative, which for more than a decade has recognised individuals, organisations and projects for their contribution to Bulgarian society.

The term "buditel" (“awakener”, "enlightener") has deep roots in Bulgarian history. Traditionally, it refers to the writers, educators and revolutionaries of the Bulgarian National Revival period who devoted their lives to preserving the Bulgarian language and culture and nurturing national consciousness in the years of the Ottoman domination. Today, the initiative uses the term in a broader sense, referring to people and causes that inspire and unite us as a community and contribute to the development of society.

The campaign was launched in 2014 by journalist and public figure Iva Doichinova and is supported by the Bulgarian National Radio. Until September 30, anyone can nominate an individual, organisation or project they believe deserves recognition for its work or needs support to continue advancing its cause.

Nominations should be sent to buditel@bnr.bg, accompanied by a brief text outlining the nominee’s mission and work over the years. Journalists and politicians are not eligible for nomination.

A special jury will select ten finalists from all the entries. It comprises last year’s recipient of the award Martin Atanasov, journalists Dobrina Cheshmedzhieva, Daniel Nenchev and Svetoslav Ivanov, entrepreneur Nikola Rahnev, historian Dr Rumen Manov, and the initiative’s founder, Iva Doichinova.

Following the announcement of the finalists, the winner will be chosen through a public vote on a dedicated online platform.

The organisers are calling for nominations of people and causes that deserve to be brought into the spotlight, regardless of whether they are active in Bulgaria or abroad.

Edited by Joan Kolev