Reinventing the lost harmony with nature

Whenever we talk about this

project, I always point out the fact

that the library, and in particular its

department where the computers

were installed, changed – the

reading room evidently livened up,

the room is constantly crowded

with people who are so impatient

that they wait for their turn in the

room. Up to 20 people use the

computers every day which is

indicative of people’s interest in

them. The free of charge internet,

the free and equitable access to

information ensure equitability,

everyone’s right to access modern

ICT and social inclusion with Roma

people being one of the main group

of library users in our community. I

was very pleased to see British

people coming to use the library

computers.

I was really pleased because I could see their laudatory gestures and looks of approval coming from the fact that they can make use of the equipment and when they ask for the fee, I can smile and tell them everything is free of charge. In such cases one feels significant and sees that all this makes sense. There are two groups of people living environmentally friendly lives in the nearby village of Zhelen. Our frequent visitors using the internet include a British family from the WWOOF which is part of a worldwide organization of volunteers who help organic farms and learn rural lives and organic farming. Organic farming does not use artificial fertilizers or chemicals and is good for the soil and the nature. This is something I myself have always approved of and strived for within my powers.

Let us reinvent the lost harmony with

nature! Back to nature is the true road

to self-fulfillment and the only way to

be helpful not only to ourselves but to

the world around us. The common

feature of the villages of Vlahi,

Madzharovo and Zhelen located in

three different mountains is the fact

that young people chose them as

places where they live in harmony

with nature which is praiseworthy!

One day I decided to talk to them and

find out what they think of us and a

possible joint initiative. I was

pleasantly surprised with their

response and readiness to implement

the idea I suggested. Following the

presentation delivered by Mr. Ian

Sanders with our multimedia, we had a

nice discussion on the topic, asked

questions and he answered them.

Lilia Koeva gave him as a gift the newly

published book by his father “The Nettles as

Fodder”. Mr. Sanders gave comprehensive

answers to the questions of Tsvetan Angelov,

Veska Ivanova, Snezhana Kotseva on the

benefits of natural products free of artificial

fertilizers, on their significance. “These

products are not only of higher quality but

also of lower price because the alfalfa is not

as expensive as artificial foods”, Mr. Sanders

said. Everyone is unconditionally convinced

in the benefits of this activity but still few

dare to implement it. Mr. Sanders and his

wife Catriona Brady, have a vegetable

garden, goats, a donkey, chickens and plan

on staying in Bulgaria forever.

• In 2012, the library hosted meetings with writers andpoetesses (Margarita Petkova and her new book, BoyanBalkanski with his dictionary of the vernacular in the villageof Iskrets), various organizations with presentations onvarious topics and individual training courses. We cooperatewith the following partners: Culture Department of SvogeMunicipality; Municipal Council; Media – Alisa 93 cable TV,Svoge 7 newspaper, Svoge Today newspaper; Iskri CreativeClub; Doverie Pensioner’s Club; NGOs; DiabetesAssociation; “Russophiles”; educational institutions – IvanVazov Secondary School, Petar Beron Primary School,Velizar Peev Vocational High School; environmentalprotection organizations – “Trinoga”,” WWOOF”, etc.

On 27June, the library was visited by: Maria

Zlatareva, Head of Office, UNDP Bulgaria, Ozlem

Altug, UNDP New York, Krasimira Kaneva and Nikolay

Markov, Regional Managers

Gallery

Velislav Lyubenov Krustev:

I come here every day, I don’t

have a computer at home and

I’m very happy with the free

internet, I listen to music and

use Skype and Facebook. This

acquisition makes things so

good!

Beatrice VasilevaAtanasova:

I’m very happy I can come here every day and play free of charge, watch movies and videos.

Alen Vasilev Atanasov:

I like it very much here but every time I have to leave, I feel sad and one day I even cried because my time was over and I was told to give my seat to the next kid.

Lilia Tsvetanova Koeva:

The full computer room means this thing was needed and for me it’s a huge necessity, huge convenience and I personally use the computers often whenever I need to because they enable me to check materials and my e-mail on the spot when I can’t go home to do this and it’s for free here. It’s very, very convenient and I’m very happy!

Yordan VulkovKutsarov:

I come here to read the press and the librarian ZoyaBorisova opens for me on the computers articles from previous issues that I missed and solitaire games for fun!

Margarita Tsvetkova Ivanova:

I use the library computers

often to look for information,

write articles, etc. I’m happy I

can make use of the free

internet because I don’t have

a computer at home. I’m

always welcome and

competently and kindly

served. I’m delighted with the

professional, kind and human

attitude of the librarian Zoya

Borisova!

Ian Sanders and Catriona Brady from the UK:

We are very, very happy with the internet access at the library. It’s very nice here because it’s quiet and peaceful. We have used internet in other places in town but people drink or smoke there, they talk loudly and it’s not nice. It’s very nice, it’s great here!

The presentation by Ian Sanders, the WWOOF

brochures

Thank you for your

attention!

Prepared by

Zoya Borisova,

Svoge

luna5@mail.bg