Project Aim
"My Enlighteners" is a socially responsible initiative of the FANTASTICO GROUP, which aims to focus public attention on the enormous potential of Bulgarians and on education as a supreme value and opportunity for development. Within the initiative, the company presents an exclusive exhibition featuring some of the most prominent Bulgarian artists, researchers, teachers, athletes, and visionaries who inspire with their achievements. The initiative “My Enlighteners” starts every year on the Day of the National Enlighteners. An essential part of it is the provision of funding for projects in the field of education and culture. In 2022, beneficiaries and partners of the initiative were the Lyubomir Pipkov National School of Music and New Bulgarian University.
Project Target Group
The project is aimed at the general public, but above all at young people. The exhibition "My Enlighteners" includes the stories of prominent Bulgarians whose success goes beyond the borders of our country. These modern enlighteners share the people from whom they have drawn knowledge and who have given them the confidence that there are no impossible things. The project is also aimed at representatives of educational and cultural institutions that have a vision for development.
Project Duration
The initiative “My Enlighteners” has been in existence since 2021. It is an important part of the company's corporate socially responsible policy, which has been supporting projects in the field of culture and education for years (for example, FANTASTICO has been the general sponsor of Mrs. R. Kabaivanska's Master Class for over 10 years). Within the first two editions of the initiative, FANTASTICO donated BGN100,000 in support of activities and projects in the field of culture and education.
Project Activities
The following participated In the project with their own messages (photographs, text, and video): the Antarctic researcher Prof. D. Sc. Hristo Pimpirev; the opera director Acad. Plamen Kartaloff; the conductor Nayden Todorov; the opera prima Raina Kabaivanska; the violinist Vesko Eshkenazy; the teacher Blagorodna Taneva, the writer Zdravka Evtimova; Assoc. Prof. Snezhina Petrova; the director Yavor Gardev; the creator of the ucha.se platform Darin Madzharov; Stefka Kostadinova, whose world record in high jump remains unattainable for 35 years; Vesela Dimitrova – the coach, under whose leadership was won Olympic and two world titles in rhythmic gymnastics; athlete Ivet Lalova; alumni of participants in the project. The exhibition was deployed in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, on the fence of the Lyubomir Pipkov National School of Music, in the courtyard of New Bulgarian University, and at Sofia Airport. Information about the project was distributed by dozens of media, in the digital channels of each participant, FANTASTICO and partners (Sofia Opera and Ballet, Sofia Philharmonic, Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, bTV, Sofia Airport).
Project Results
With the financial support of the "My Enlighteners" project, NSM "Lyubomir Pipkov" renovated its concert hall. For the first time since its opening in 2004, all over 280 chairs were reupholstered. The lighting, the floor, and the walls were completely renovated. The renovation of the hall is the first in 10 years. At present, 856 students rehearse in it, give concerts, and participate in master classes.
35 NBU alumni applied with 25 projects for scholarships under the “My Enlighteners” project. 8 of the projects received funding. Equality and empathy for people with disabilities, a constructive environment for children deprived of parental care, career assistants, and digital platforms aimed at guiding pupils and students - these are some of the ideas that excited the students.