Report, Gratitude, and Results of the Campaign in Partnership with Opera Open 2025

Santorelli Cup 2025, 27-29 June, Sofia, NSA "Vassil Levski", Award ceremony

Santorelli Cup 2025, 27-29 June, Sofia, NSA "Vassil Levski", Moments and matches

Santorelli Cup 2025, 27-29 June, Sofia, NSA "Vassil Levski", Opening Ceremony

With love to art and the power of kindness!
The “Creators of Hope” Foundation and the State Opera – Plovdiv are joining forces to turn the stage into a home of equal access and shared emotions.

On June 5, we had the honor of being part of the 19th Annual Concert of the Regional Center for Support of the Process of Inclusive Education – Plovdiv.

On May 29, 2025 Braille reading and writing competitions were held at the “Louis Braille” Community Centre and the Sofia City Library.

Donation of an acoustic piano for the talented children from the Regional Center for Support of the Process of Inclusive Education – Plovdiv, 20 Feb, 2024

On February 20, 2025, the “Creators of Hope” Foundation gifted not just a piano, but an opportunity – for dreams, inspiration, and new horizons to the talented children of the Regional Center for Support of the Process of Inclusive Education (RCSPIO) – Plovdiv.

We believe that every child deserves a chance to express themselves, and music is the language that connects our hearts. This donation is our way of giving wings to young talents and showing them they are not alone on their journey. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Lefterova from Paisii Hilendarski University, Elitsa Mitova from the Child Protection Department, Dimana Ibusheva from the Regional Department of Education – Plovdiv, the Chairman of the Board of “Creators of Hope” Foundation Michele Santorelli, and the Center’s Director Ivaylo Kyuchukov, all of whom supported the cause with the belief that education and art go hand in hand. Heartfelt thanks to Katya Stoilova and the entire team for their trust and shared mission – to create more opportunities for the children who need support.

Opening of the electric ramp at Safroniy Vrachanski Primary school, Plovdiv, 10 Dec, 2024

On December 12, 2024, at “St. Sofroniy Vrachanski” Secondary School in Plovdiv, we inaugurated an electric ramp – a symbol of hope and inclusion. This project was implemented by the “Creators of Hope” Foundation, represented by its chairman Michele Santorelli, with the support of institutions, local authorities, and all the kind-hearted people who believe that change is possible.

Accessibility is a right, not a privilege!
We proved that together, we can remove barriers and build a more just and equitable society.

"ProSport 2024" Award

Prayer for the disabled kids.
Joint project with Bulgarian Orthodox Church

On October 24, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorated the memory of Saint Martyr Aretha and the icon of the Holy Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” with an inspiring and moving liturgy, organized by the Plovdiv Metropolis at the Church of the Holy Ascension. The service gathered believers who united their hearts in prayer for families with children with special needs, highlighting the profound significance of faith as a source of support and comfort in difficult times.

This liturgy not only offered spiritual support but also drew attention to the daily challenges faced by these children and their families. Following the blessed service, all attendees shared a modest meal, where the spirit of solidarity and community was deeply felt.

The “Creators of Hope” Foundation made its contribution by inviting families with children with special needs to the event, offering them not only spiritual encouragement but also a special three-month therapeutic horseback riding course. This initiative provides children with unique therapeutic experiences that support both their physical and emotional well-being.

The event was met with deep gratitude and clearly demonstrated how the Church, in cooperation with committed civic organizations, can create a space where spiritual care and tangible support intertwine to inspire and bring joy to the most vulnerable among us.

Together, we can continue to bring light and hope into the lives of those who need it most!

Charity exhibition of Galena Kolaksazova, 8-25 Nov, 2024

From November 8 to 25, an exhibition by young photographer Galena Kolaksazova took place at the “Cat and Mouse” bar. She is not only an exceptional artist but also a person with a big heart. The event had a charitable purpose – the proceeds from the sale of the photographs will support people with disabilities who are striving to pursue their dreams and talents.

The collected amount of 684.50 BGN will be used to purchase a microphone for Kristian Grigorov, a musician from Sofia who dreams of creating music. We express our sincere gratitude to Galena for her beautiful gesture and for supporting our foundation, “Creators of Hope.”

Sponsorship to Rosen Karamfilov

Santorelli Cup 2024, 23-25 Aug, 2024.
Albena, Bulgaria

Inclusion initiative "All together", 27 June, 2024

Meeting with Lia Erasmus +, 29 Feb, 2024

National exhibition "Trifon Zarezan" 14 Feb, 2024

Meeting with the Minister of education at the Regional Center for Support of the Process of Inclusive Education - Plovdiv, 17 Nov, 2023

Our creators: Borislava Marcheva

Borislava Marcheva was born in 1991 in Burgas, where she graduated from the English Language High School.
She moved to the UK to pursue her education but had to interrupt her studies due to being diagnosed with a mental health condition. Drawing became part of her healing process and remains a constant practice to this day. She works from home, which also serves as her only gallery. Her paintings are seen only by her closest family members. She says she feels them as fragments of herself, rearranging her in the outside world. She calls them “mirrors of my subconscious, through which I can decipher my own messages—ones I wouldn’t otherwise be able to express.” She often paints visions from her dreams in the mornings. Sometimes the scenes are born from fantastical worlds she and her fiancé Adam imagine together. Other times, the drawing “takes over on its own”—an impulse, an overwhelming emotion that transforms into symbols and images. She creates magical worlds, where animals, fairy-tale characters, and imaginary beings come to life and tell fantastical stories.

Our creators: Nikolay Savov

Nikolay Savov was born in Plovdiv. He graduated in Sculpture from Veliko Tarnovo. He has participated in sculpture symposiums in Bulgaria, Italy, France, and Switzerland. He has held twenty solo exhibitions in Bulgaria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Savov is the recipient of the “St. George the Victorious” award, the Plovdiv Municipality award, and others.

He is the author of several public monuments, including the Monument of Khan Krum in Plovdiv, the Monument to the Bulgarian Volunteers in Sofia, and the Monument to the Fallen for Bulgaria in the town of Perushtitsa, among others.

Our creators: Rosen Karamfilov

Rosen Karamfilov was born in 1992 in Sofia. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, he has used a wheelchair ever since—although, as he likes to joke, the wheelchair is actually attached to him.

Primarily devoted to literature, Rosen writes novels and poetry. He is also involved in music and calls himself a "singing poet."

In 2020, he began painting spontaneously. He says that through this process, he sometimes feels a spiritual connection with his father, Kolyo Karamfilov, a renowned Bulgarian artist who passed away suddenly in 2014.

Rosen creates some of his artworks during live streams, experimenting with his paintings in performance art settings. He often transforms already completed images—changing their form, color, and scale.

Our creators: Denis Popov

Denis Popov is the only blind sculptor in Bulgaria. He was born in 1997 in Sofia and just a few months ago graduated from New Bulgarian University with a degree in "Ceramics and Porcelain." This clearly places him outside the category of art brut artists, but his participation in the exhibition is a tribute to his extraordinary story and his unique creative work.

Several years earlier, he fought for the right to study at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia but was denied admission due to an existing regulation that prohibits the enrollment of blind individuals. Driven by his strong desire to compensate for the lack of sight through regular sculptural practice, he succeeded in becoming a student at NBU in the "Ceramics and Porcelain. Digital Forms" program, under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Monika Popova. “Sculptures are shaped with the heart,” Denis shares. “The fact that I am blind doesn’t mean I can’t see! Since I’ve never seen the world with my eyes, there’s nothing to miss. As a child, I loved reading fantasy and science fiction, I watched lots of cartoons, but my favorite thing was to use modeling clay to recreate the characters from books and movies the way I imagined them, and to invent my own stories. I dreamed of becoming a sculptor. The greatest achievement in my life is that I fought for and won the right to study what I love, no matter what.”