zoya geleva, chief librarian at gradishte 1907 public chitalishte in svoge
TRANSCRIPT
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