The world could be a better place if children’s opinions mattered: the winners of the My Opinion Matters 2023 contest

At the beginning of the year, we announced a student competition “My opinion matters”. This year it is being held within the framework of the “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance” Project implemented with the support of the State Department through the US Embassy in Bulgaria. In 3 months we received over 100 wonderful works. The children participated with an essay, video or graphic image in which they provoke politicians, the communities they come from, our society and say that they have an opinion about what they want to happen to them and that opinion matters if we want to create a future, which is also theirs, in which they also find their place – here, in Bulgaria. The competition gave the opportunity to students from the most remote villages and small towns, which are rarely involved in public initiatives, to also state their position. A special reward for all prize winners was before the award ceremony a visit to the National Assembly from 14:00, where they were told and shown how the institution works. The students entered the Plenary Hall and talked with the Chair of the National Assembly, Mr. Rosen Zhelyazkov.

The results were announced at a special ceremony that took place on May 9th – Europe Day, but also the Day of Student Self-Government, in the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” at 4:00 p.m. It was broadcast live on our Center Amalipe Facebook page.

You can watch the recording here:

As you can see, the ceremony was extremely emotional for everyone present. The children were personally greeted by the deputy ambassador of the US Embassy in Bulgaria, Her Excellency Mrs. Andria Brulet-Rodriguez, who tried to convey her message in Bulgarian so that even the smallest ones could understand her and feel how close she feels to them and to Bulgaria. “Your opinion really does matter, regardless of your heritage, skin color, faith or socio-economic status… I wish all the participants of this competition determination and courage to develop their talents and pursue their dreams!” – was the message of Ambassador Broulet-Rodriguez.

The ceremony was opened by Deyan Kolev, chairman of the Amalipe Center: “For years we have had this tradition of holding a student competition on different topics… What I want to say is that your opinion really matters – your opinion matters in your family. You decide when and where you go to study; you decide how long you will study and we encourage all of you to complete a minimum of secondary education, and those of you who wish to also complete a higher education. Your opinion matters in the family and when and who you decide to marry. Your opinion matters in school…Your opinion matters a lot in society too. Your opinion matters to all of us!”

Thanks to our hosts from the St. Cyril and Methodius National Library, the ceremony took place in the “History of the Book” hall, where the children could see a copy of Gutenberg’s first printing press, copies of Sofroniev’s copy of “Istoriya Slavyanobulgarska” from Paisiy Hilendarski and other valuable historical books. Dr. Vanya Avramova, deputy director of the library, was part of the ceremony and welcomed those present: “Your competition is extremely important for us as a library, because your path is inevitably connected with the literary wealth that we possess. YES, your opinion matters, especially backed up by the wealth we hold at the National Library…There are surely writers among you who will leave books here for future generations to read!”

Part of the awards were presented by Bogomila Samuilova – former winner of the Amalipe Center competition – today a student, who shared her experience and how much these small awards mean and how big steps they are in their success going forward. She wished them not to give up on their dreams and told them that she too was a humble girl from a small village, but today she fights for her dreams and makes them come true one by one. Radostina Petkova, teachers and photographer, part of the jury and creator of most of the advertising materials of Center Amalipe also attended the ceremony and told the attendees that it is important to express their opinion through culture, because art is the most direct way to people’s hearts. Teodora Krumova, program director of the Amalipe Center, was part of the award ceremony. In her message to the participants, she shared: “I have the great fortune of knowing a part of you, because you were active participants in the Leadership Academies, then we saw you pass the baton, because you have been training your peers for a whole year…Today I also met others from you. I want to tell you that what you do gives meaning to our work… Nothing we do will be without consequences. Every single meeting you had with classmates, a conversation you had certainly mattered and believe me, you managed to save many girls and boys who did not have your courage.”

And who are the awardees? Their places and materials are respectively:

In the “Essay” category, the works were divided into 3 age groups. We were sent so many and quality works that it was difficult for the jury to judge one place. There are more ranked here as several students have the same number of points. In the Essay category, we did not receive materials in the first age group. The winners are among the two larger groups.

Second Age Group:

First place: Cherina Asenova, 14 years old. from Secondary school “Vasil Levski”, Yablanitsa
Second place: Natalia Angelova, 13 years old. from Secondary school”St. Paisii Hilendarski” Mikrevo

Third place: Marko Dimitrov, 10 years old and Veselina Mincheva, 13 years old. from “Nikola Prokopiev” Primary School, Sborishte

Third Age Group:

The special award of the Amalipe Center “Inspirer with a pen in hand” goes to Guljan Yuzeirova, 17 years old.

First place: Sheni Davidova, 15, United School “Dobri Voynikov” village Pobeda

Second place: Sinan Kadyrov, 18, Shumen.

Second place: Asiana Krasteva, 15 years old. from Secondary school “Vasil Levski”, Yablanitsa

Third place: Damla Kemik, 17, from “Nikola Y. Vaptsarov” Secondary school, Aytos

Third place: Virginia Atanasova, 17, Shumen.

In the “Graphic Image” category, the works were also divided into 3 age groups. The winners are respectively:

First age group:

First place: Maya Marinova, 10 years old, “Anton Strashimirov” elementary school – Bohot village
Second place: Temenuzka Stefanova, 10 years old, “Neofit Rilski” Secondary School, Samokov
Third place: Byushra Ridvan, 9 years old, Panayot Volov United school, Todor Ikonomovo

Incentive award: Mihaela Lubomirova, 10 years old, “Neofit Rilski” United school, Samokov

Incentive award: Seher Sebaidin, 9 years old, Panayot Volov University, Todor Ikonomovo

Second Age Group:

First place: Gosho Koichev, Asen Alexandrov, Vasil Georgiev and Todor Manolov from “Vasil Levski” Primary School, village of Karadjovo
Second place: Tolga Ridvan, 13, “Traiko Simeonov” Secondary School, Shumen
Third place: Marina Angelova, 13, “Ivan Vazov” Primary School, Simeonovgrad

Third Age Group:

First place: Monika Popova, 17, Profiled High School “Konstantin Fotinov”, Samokov
Second place: Hristo Atanasov Georgiev, 18, Yambol
Third place: Remzie Tefik, 17, PGOD “Euridika”, Kardzhali

Incentive award: Mirem Hristova, 15, Shumen

Incentive award: Anife Atanasova, 15, Panayot Volov United school, Todor Ikonomovo

In the “Video” category, the winners are:

First place: Asen Hristov Asenov, 14, Kazanlak

Second place: Ivan Ivanov, 13 years old. and Lutskan Sedefov, 12 years old from “Hristo Botev” Primary School, Maglizh

Third place: Valentina Marinova, Desislava Desislavova, Alexandra Todorova, Nikol Angelova, Nereya Beshkova, Petya Beshkova and Liyana Kamenova, 10-year-olds from Hristo Botev Elementary School, Glozhene.

A special award for editing and visual effects went to Rosen Paskov, Professional High School of Agriculture, Saint George Pobedonosets, Suvorovo.

Thank you to all the youth who poured all their creativity and heart and sent us wonderful, touching and thought-provoking materials!
Don’t stop expressing your opinion, you are the future!

The “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance” project is implemented with the support of the State Department through the US Embassy in Bulgaria. A presentation about the project and the main activities can be seen here