Honorable Mention
Purification of the souls
DESCRIPTION
Researchers claim that Water (albeit of the opposite nature) has the same symbolism as Fire: creation, punishment, and purification.Every year in January, at sub-zero temperatures, people from a small town in Bulgaria enter the icy waters of the Tundzha River. Because they believe in the creative and purifying forces of water. Along with the big men, a little boy, who is the successor of the traditions and a symbol of the New Beginning, enters the water. During the ritual, the men sing and play. This is the Male Dance called “horo" in Kalofer. In the days of a global pandemic, people perform the ritual even with more passion because they strongly believe that this is the only way for them to be protected. In this way they show that the human spirit is strong, even in difficult years like the ones we live in.
AUTHOR
My profession is an actor. I was born on April 27, 1979 in Sofia, Bulgaria. I receive training in classical drama theater at the National Academy of Theater and Film Arts in Sofia. I have been an actor at the Ivan Vazov National Theater for 20 years. In 2007-2014 I am the host of the world rally format of the Bulgarian edition of Survivor. Some of my photographic awards are: People's Photographer of the Year at MIFA. I am also a winner in ND Awards 2021, PX3 2021, 35AWARDS 2020, Chromatic Award 2021, IPA 2021, VIEPA 2021, 500px, MALTA Travel Awards, Life Framer, Voyage Travel Awards 2021 Grand Prize Winner, finalist of the 18th and 19th annual Smithsonian magazine photo contest, Winner of Khayyam 2020, Finalist KLPA 2022, First prize Winner in The Fc’Diary, Discovery of the year BIFA 2022, First prize Winner Imacres Award. More information about my work, awards and projects can be seen on my website. 