On November 8 in Hall 11 of the National Palace of Culture, Bulgaria’s best masters and artisans will be awarded for the third time. The founder and driving force behind the “Creator of the Year” initiative is Nikolay Traykov, who visited “Radio Bulgaria” together with Dr. Bistra Pisancheva, a member of the jury, and special guest performer Dimitar Georgiev.

“I have always wanted to create products that benefit the creative community, helping it grow, gain recognition and become more cohesive. The dream of a significant cultural event dedicated to handcrafted artistry and Bulgarian creators and artisans—the guardians of our national identity—has become a reality through hard work and perseverance”, said Nikolay.

The works are evaluated by distinguished professionals from various fields of art and crafts based on originality, craftsmanship, and emotional impact. The expert jury faces the difficult task of selecting the best among them.

“Oh, this is really very difficult!” says Dr. Bistra Pisancheva, a world-renowned bobbin lace master. “It’s fascinating to see such a wide variety of works across different categories. At the same time, they have to meet certain criteria. As an artist, I understand how hard it is to work for hours on something and then let it leave your hands to be seen by buyers, the public, or a strict jury. So, it was very difficult for me to make a decision'',  Bistra Pisancheva went on to say.

For the first time this year, eight artists will craft the eight awards, each offering their own interpretation of the competition’s logo. In this way, each artist will receive well-deserved recognition, while the winners will hold in their hands a unique work imbued with the spirit of its creator.

''The artists were selected based on my observations. I believe they can handle the task, and I find it very interesting that one artist will give an award to another artist. It’s a very kind gesture of appreciation and respect—to create something for a colleague”, says Nikolay.

For the first time in the history of the ''Creator of the Year'' competition, ART Gallery Adriana in central Sofia will host an exhibition featuring the works of the finalists, allowing more people to witness the magic of handmade artistry. The exhibition will run until November 7. The special Audience Award will be presented at the gala ceremony in the National Palace of Culture.

Young musicians and performers, including 13-year-old singer Dimitar Georgiev, will take care of the lively atmosphere in the hall. Performing at such a large-scale event is yet another recognition of his talent—he is a multiple-time winner of music competitions in Bulgaria, Malta, Italy, Romania and Serbia.

“The audience will get to hear one of my favorite songs by the great singer Beyoncé. I will be performing her beautiful song ‘Listen”, says the talented young artist.

Nikolay Traykov is also the founder of the project “Golden Hands Bulgaria”, which features more than 50 videos.

''The idea is to film Bulgarian artists and craftsmen in their natural environment, telling an engaging story about their lives in roughly three minutes, so that people can get to know their essence and understand what handmade artistry is. It is part of our national cultural identity, as crafts are among the most valuable things that need to be preserved and protected'', said Nikolay.

''Join us at the 'Creator of the Year'! This is an incredibly positive event where people come together as one. They leave as friends, filled with positive emotions. And remember, handmade craftsmanship is part of our millennia-old roots, so support handcrafted work!” urged Nikolay Traykov at the end of our conversation.

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov