The competition started in Bulgaria in 2011 when over 300 imaginative, clever English essays were submitted from students all over Bulgaria; in 2015, there were more than 4000!
The Bulgarian Creative Writing Competition was initiated in 2011. The competition is open to students from 6th to 12th grade that have one hour to respond to one of several creative, unusual themes. The goal is to create their own unique pieces of writing and to think “outside the box”. Some of 2016 competition themes were My pajamas have magic pockets, I took a selfie and I was not in the picture, When the beetles rush in your brain and the birds make their nests in your hair, The pen is mightier than the sword, Do the write thing.
Once all the essays have been received, panels of regional judges (teachers, writers, native English speakers, and specialists) convene and select the top four essays from each grade level. These finalist essays are sent on to national judging. The three finalists from each grade level and their teachers are invited to the awards ceremony and receive special prizes.
As a whole, the competition has a very fun, relaxed atmosphere. It is, as one student put it, “not your typical Olympiad!”
To learn more, go to www.creativewriting-bg.com