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Andrey Hodkevich is an architect, researcher and founder of HORA (www.studio-hora.com) and Project Ephemera (www.projectephemera.com). In his years of investigation of the interaction between technology and architecture he has brought up ideas and concepts with global recognition and awards. Ever since his graduation from the Polytechnic University of Milan, he has been searching for new possibilities and dimensions of architecture in the digital era.

With its impressive Revival Period landscape, picturesque nature and rich history, Lovech is a marvellous destination year round. In May, however, visiting the town is a must. Mayor Kornelia Marinova shares why.

Why should we visit Lovech in May?

In May, nature is fully awakened from winter and brings us joy with its variety of plants in full bloom. Lovech is lucky with its numerous lilacs, particularly in Stratesh Park, that attract with their gentle colours and inimitable aroma.

PinusVillas is a recreational compound in Yarema locality, 27 kms away from Sofia centre, on the old road to Samokov. Located at altitude of 1,300 m, it is practically at the foot of the Vitosha, in an area of abundant fresh air smelling of pines, far from the urban noise, pollution and vanity.

PinusVillas offers accommodation in four 2-storey chalets with unique architecture and their own spa facilities, an exquisite restaurant and conference room. Krasimira Panovska, manager of PinusVillas, reveals more about this exceptional place.

They have brought this level of dedication to the luxury accommodation at the winery's premises, in the majestic castle Château Copsa and the boutique art hotel with restaurant Maison Copsa. The result is an alternative and discreet oasis for urban people, where they can indulge in the slow rhythm of life among the beauty of the Rose Valley. 

Château Copsa: Sophisticated interior

Good ideas, creativity, arts, crafts, entertaining and useful activities, united in the name of a meaningful cause that supports the children: from 26 May to 2 June, in peak rose picking season, Château Copsa will give а stage to Bulgarian traditions, wine and arts.

Radka Chamova is human resources and talent development manager with over 15 years of experience in international technological companies in Bulgaria, and a practising accredited coach by the ICF. In 2021, she became Chief People and Culture Officer at Despark, a digital products developer working for global clients, a part of the UK holding Paragon. In 2022 she was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of ICF Bulgaria. There, together with her colleagues, she volunteers to create a strong coaching community in Bulgaria.

Mariya Koleva, a life coach and NLP practitioner, focuses on personal growth and the support to her clients to live up to their own expectations. For the past couple of years, she has been using neuro-linguistic programming in her work extensively and has a lot to say about its great benefits.

What exactly is neuro-linguistic programming in a life coaching context?

We, humans, are complex beings and many of the problems that we experience in life are the result of disbalance in our physical, emotional, neural and psychological well-being. To restore our inner peace and achieve our better selves we need the help of people able to provide equally complex, holistic care.

It is not a coincidence why Zornitsa Maleva, a family constallator and positive psychologist, calls herself a successful relationships consultant. She has systematised her experience in healing and improving the relationships in couples and between children and parents in her author's system for therapeutic work with clients called Parental Blessing. In it, she reveals how the two main methods for internal therapeutic work - family constellations and work with our inner child and childhood traumas can help us build harmonious relationships with our partners, children and parents.

Physiognomy is a method to evaluate the character, temperament, individual specifics and the strong and weak sides of anyone by the markers on their face. This is an objective scientific method for visual psychodiagnostics and creation of a psychophysiological portrait.

Galina Cholakova is a coach that specialises in the neuroscience of learning, motivation, and change. She uses effective and science-based strategies in the coaching conversation to support her clients to develop new habits, skills, and behaviour. Galina Cholakova's expertise is truly impressive – she is an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) by the ICF, Results Trained Coach, Brain-based Coach by the NeuroLeadership Institute EMEA, Professional Neurolanguage Coach and an ELC Licensed Trainer in Efficient Language Coaching.

Training tailored to the character and needs of the particular managers, employees and companies, and that changes with the times: since 2006 ReExe has helped its corporate clients to be better and more successful. Its founder, Georgi Todorov, tells how.

What is the most important thing that you teach managers?

Emotional intelligence is the key towards our personal and professional development. But how can we master the skill to recognise and express our authentic feelings and emotions? The psychologist Dilyana Koleva knows the answer. In her years of practice she has helped thousands of people to transform their lives. One of her most successful projects is The House, a workshop that started 6 years ago and is currently in its latest instalment.

Silvia Vassileva, founder of Life Projects, is a certified personal and business coach by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), USA, accredited by the International Coach Federation. She is also an expert in personal transformation, a certified hypnotist and hypnotherapist from the Bulgarian Hypnosis Association (BAH), NLP practitioner and a member of Upgrade Academy and Generative Mindset ILC, a global coaching society. Besides these, Silvia is a mentor in two organisations – Business Lady and Ladies' Forum.

Stefi Dineva is not only a psychologist and therapist who helps us to have a wholesome and happy life and to deal with everyday stress. Gifted with artistic nature, she herself is on the mission to find her better self by writing, painting, travelling and meditating. She then applies what she had learned in her work with her clients.

What is stress and what role does it play in our life? 

Hollywood stars do not leave their homes - let alone walking the red carpet, without consulting their personal stylist. But why should ladies in business and politics also consult with this type of professional besides when attending high-profile public events? Working with a personal stylist is not a matter of vanity, but something that each successful person needs, believes Ralitsa Boyadzhieva, a stylist and creator of Your Unique Style studio. 

Why does a successful man or woman today need a personal stylist?

The seven designer's houses in the compound are on the Black Sea coast in one of Burgas's fastest developing neighbourhoods. The location gives you everything that you need for a vacation, living the year round or investment – developed infrastructure, amenities and the tranquillity of an incredible beach in close proximity.

Each house has its own inner veranda and yard, and a spacious and functional interior that allows a number of different designer's solutions. The construction work and the used materials are of the highest quality.

Choose your home by the sea now.

With a history that spans over a century, the University of Economics – Varna is an example for an educational institution that is always in line with the times. Today, managed by the young and ambitious rector, Prof Evgeni Stanimirov, PhD, it offers topical educational programmes, strong connection with the business and special focus on foreign students. Prof Stanimirov elaborates.

What does modern economics education look like, according to the University of Economics – Varna?

The work of LAGO DESIGN architecture studio demonstrates that the answer is affirmative. Created in 2003 as a studio for public and residential interior design, today LAGO DESIGN works in other fields of architecture as well – design of family houses, wooden facade planning and execution supplied by the Slovenian factory M Sora, furniture and interior details production. 

Office spaces are here to stay, the Covid-19 pandemic failed to bring their much anticipated death. Instead, it redefined the whole concept about them. A studio of ambitious professionals eager to show that there is no limitation to ideas and professionalism, MoVe Architects is bravely exploring this new landscape. The studio has already worked on some of the most prestigious sites in Bulgaria and has collected an enviable portfolio of big and small companies as satisfied clients.