#Velika Tarnovo

[happywebdesign]

https://tamvt.com/

[ofberrychampagne]

[CISFEMALE, SHE/HER/HERS]. Hey, is that NINA DOBREV? No, that is just IZABELA SOKOLOVA-SANDERS around Turtle Bay. I heard they are 29 years old, and their birthday is JANUARY 17th, 1994. They rest their heads in the COUNTRYSIDE but they can mainly be found working as HORSE TRAINER/ARTIST. Some say they are DRIVEN, CREATIVE, PERSEVERANT and can be HEADSTRONG, IMPULSIVE, ARGUMENTATIVE. If they had a theme song it would be, MISS INDEPENDENT by KELLY CLARKSON. I hear they are LOCAL, either way Turtle Bay is home and welcomes you! [admin sunshine, 28, est/edt, 28]

This here is Iza! Sweet Bulgarian bb who couldn’t hurt a fly.

BASICS:

Full name: Izabela Antonova Sanders (nee Sokolova)

Nicknames: Iza, Izzy, Bela

Date of birth: January 17th, 1994 (Capricorn sun, Pisces moon, Aquarius rising)

Hometown: Elena, Bulgaria (Velika Tarnovo province)

Occupation: Horse trainer/artist 

Sexuality: Bisexual (heteroromantic)

Relationship status: Married to Christopher Sanders

TW: injury, mentions of rehab

In the horse community in Bulgaria, there was a name synonymous with influence and it was Sokolov. Anton and Nevena were two powerhouses who seemingly came together for the greater good. Anton came from a long line of English riding champions and Nevena came from a long line of successful breeders. Together, they were unstoppable. Much to their parents’ delight, the two married.

Two years later, they welcomed a baby boy they named Yordan and Izabela followed suit three years later. Growing up, she was involved in the horse world like her parents before her and their parents before them. By the time she reached primary school, she was already jumping, and it was clear a star was on the rise. Her natural curve was nurtured and she was trained by the best money could buy. In the summer of 2012, she competed in London for the summer Olympics on the Bulgarian Equestrian Team. She earned nearly perfect scores in dressage, two gold medals and a silver medal jumping, as well as a silver medal for eventing. It appeared as though Izabela was unstoppable after medaling in almost every event she qualified for, until a heavy rain the night before had made the ground deceptively soft. The cross-country event nearly claimed her life after landing wrong from a jump and sliding down landing in the riverbank jump on the course. Izabela’s leg was pinned beneath her horse as they both came down hard. After severely breaking her leg, breaking a few ribs, and nearly drowning, her career had ended.

Izabela fell into a deep depression after the incident that had made international news. After all, she had lost her life’s dream. Upon learning of the existence of a rehab center in the United States, Izabela moved to Turtle Bay for physical therapy. After slowly regaining the use of her leg, she was hit with the devastating news of never being able to compete again. Riding any longer than a few minutes left her in debilitating pain and shaking in fear. It was during rehab that she discovered a love of art. Painting, drawing, sculpting, all of those things eased some of the anger inside her and helped her translate the helplessness she felt. During rehab, she honed her English beyond the bare minimum of asking for directions and discussing the weather. By the time she decided to leave the center and despite the hurtful comments and struggles, she was fairly proficient in English.

Getting a job in America with her injuries and somewhat limited language capabilities was difficult, along with applying for a visa in order to stay in the country. Eventually, she began helping her family with their breeding farm and training horses from the ground up. Her art soon took precedence, but she continued to work part-time in order to keep her citizenship current. It took a long while, but eventually, Izabela earned her green card that kept her in the country for three years.

With her family being her family and their desires for her to focus on her equestrian career with the Olympics in mind, relationships were few and far between. Izabela never allowed herself to become attached to anyone, not when they were a potential distraction and a danger towards everything she had worked towards her entire life. Things burned hot and fast and never lasted. Boredom took over as soon as attraction began. And so went her relationship with a cowboy named Wesley. He was smart, sexy, dangerous, and exciting, yet Izabela found herself uninterested in him. Most conversations consisted of his accomplishments and complaining about his rodeo rival. It wasn’t until she went to a bar with her best friend and had an argument that she met said rival. Izabela hadn’t intended to fall in love with Christopher Sanders, yet it was a force completely beyond her control. They were married within months of meeting, much to the surprise of those closest to them, following an accident Chris suffered in the rodeo.

Though Izabela has been in the United States for years, she still struggles. She is hyperaware of how she is perceived, due to harmful stereotypes of Eastern European women that have resulted in verbal abuse hurled her way. Even with a progressive thought process in current generations, there would always be people in the community who feel the Sokolovs didn’t belong in Turtle Bay. It has cost her jobs and opportunities, though she hasn’t told her husband such. Despite her setbacks, both past and current, she continues to thrive.

Misc:

Izabela still mixes up English and Bulgarian, doesn’t quite get terms correctly despite speaking mostly English. 

Still occasionally deals with leg pain

Recently discovered she’s pregnant with her first child, fathered by her husband, Christopher.

[themes-testers]

Name: Izabela Antonova Sokolova Sanders

FC: Nina Dobrev

Character gender: cis

Character birthday: January 17th, 1994 (27)

Birthplace: Elena, Bulgaria (Velika Tarnovo province)

Neighborhood: Countryside

Length of residency: Since September of 2012

Occupation: Artist

Song title: Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson

Bio:

Triggers: injury, depression

In the horse community in Bulgaria, there was a name synonymous with influence and it was Sokolov. Anton and Nevena were two powerhouses who seemingly came together for the greater good. Anton came from a long line of English riding champions and Nevena came from a long line of successful breeders. Together, they were unstoppable. Much to their parents’ delight, the two married.

Two years later, they welcomed a baby boy they named Yordan and Izabela followed suit three years later. Growing up, she was involved in the horse world like her parents before her and their parents before them. By the time she reached primary school, she was already jumping, and it was clear a star was on the rise. Her natural curve was nurtured and she was trained by the best money could buy. In the summer of 2012, she competed in London for the summer Olympics on the Bulgarian Equestrian Team. She earned nearly perfect scores in dressage, two gold medals and a silver medal jumping, as well as a silver medal for eventing. It appeared as though Izabela was unstoppable after medaling in almost every event she qualified for, until a heavy rain the night before had made the ground deceptively soft. The cross-country event nearly claimed her life after landing wrong from a jump and sliding down landing in the riverbank jump on the course. Izabela’s leg was pinned beneath her horse as they both came down hard. After severely breaking her leg, breaking a few ribs, and nearly drowning, her career had ended.

Izabela fell into a deep depression after the incident that had made international news. After all, she had lost her life’s dream. Upon learning of the existence of a rehab center in the United States, Izabela moved to Turtle Bay for physical therapy. After slowly regaining the use of her leg, she was hit with the devastating news of never being able to compete again. Riding any longer than a few minutes left her in debilitating pain and shaking in fear. It was during rehab that she discovered a love of art. Painting, drawing, sculpting, all of those things eased some of the anger inside her and helped her translate the helplessness she felt. During rehab, she honed her English beyond the bare minimum of asking for directions and discussing the weather. By the time she decided to leave the center and despite the hurtful comments and struggles, she was fairly proficient in English.

Getting a job in America with her injuries and somewhat limited language capabilities was difficult, along with applying for a visa in order to stay in the country. Eventually, she began helping her family with their breeding farm and training horses from the ground up. Her art soon took precedence, but she continued to work part-time in order to keep her citizenship current. It took a long while, but eventually, Izabela earned her green card that kept her in the country for three years.

With her family being her family and their desires for her to focus on her equestrian career with the Olympics in mind, relationships were few and far between. Izabela never allowed herself to become attached to anyone, not when they were a potential distraction and a danger towards everything she had worked towards her entire life. Things burned hot and fast and never lasted. Boredom took over as soon as attraction began. And so went her relationship with a cowboy named Wesley. He was smart, sexy, dangerous, and exciting, yet Izabela found herself uninterested in him. Most conversations consisted of his accomplishments and complaining about his rodeo rival. It wasn’t until she went to a bar with her best friend and had an argument that she met said rival. Izabela hadn’t intended to fall in love with Christopher Sanders, yet it was a force completely beyond her control. They were married within months of meeting, much to the surprise of those closest to them, following an accident Chris suffered in the rodeo.

Though Izabela has been in the United States for years, she still struggles. She is hyper aware of how she is perceived, due to harmful stereotypes of Eastern European women that have resulted in verbal abuse hurled her way. Even with a progressive thought process in current generations, there would always be people in the community who feel the Sokolovs didn’t belong in Turtle Bay. It has cost her jobs and opportunities, though she hasn’t told her husband such. Despite her setbacks, both past and current, she continues to thrive.

Personality:

Positive traits: Driven, creative, perseverant

Negative traits: Headstrong, impulsive, argumentative

Misc:

Here is a moodboard!

Here is a Pinterest board!

Izabela Sokolova is played by Admin Sunshine

[themetesterr]

Name: Izabela Antonova Sokolova Sanders

FC: Nina Dobrev

Character gender: cis

Character birthday: January 17th, 1994 (27)

Birthplace: Elena, Bulgaria (Velika Tarnovo province)

Neighborhood: Countryside

Length of residency: Since September of 2012

Occupation: Artist

Song title: Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson

Bio:

Triggers: injury, depression

In the horse community in Bulgaria, there was a name synonymous with influence and it was Sokolov. Anton and Nevena were two powerhouses who seemingly came together for the greater good. Anton came from a long line of English riding champions and Nevena came from a long line of successful breeders. Together, they were unstoppable. Much to their parents’ delight, the two married.

Two years later, they welcomed a baby boy they named Yordan and Izabela followed suit three years later. Growing up, she was involved in the horse world like her parents before her and their parents before them. By the time she reached primary school, she was already jumping, and it was clear a star was on the rise. Her natural curve was nurtured and she was trained by the best money could buy. In the summer of 2012, she competed in London for the summer Olympics on the Bulgarian Equestrian Team. She earned nearly perfect scores in dressage, two gold medals and a silver medal jumping, as well as a silver medal for eventing. It appeared as though Izabela was unstoppable after medaling in almost every event she qualified for, until a heavy rain the night before had made the ground deceptively soft. The cross-country event nearly claimed her life after landing wrong from a jump and sliding down landing in the riverbank jump on the course. Izabela’s leg was pinned beneath her horse as they both came down hard. After severely breaking her leg, breaking a few ribs, and nearly drowning, her career had ended.

Izabela fell into a deep depression after the incident that had made international news. After all, she had lost her life’s dream. Upon learning of the existence of a rehab center in the United States, Izabela moved to Turtle Bay for physical therapy. After slowly regaining the use of her leg, she was hit with the devastating news of never being able to compete again. Riding any longer than a few minutes left her in debilitating pain and shaking in fear. It was during rehab that she discovered a love of art. Painting, drawing, sculpting, all of those things eased some of the anger inside her and helped her translate the helplessness she felt. During rehab, she honed her English beyond the bare minimum of asking for directions and discussing the weather. By the time she decided to leave the center and despite the hurtful comments and struggles, she was fairly proficient in English.

Getting a job in America with her injuries and somewhat limited language capabilities was difficult, along with applying for a visa in order to stay in the country. Eventually, she began helping her family with their breeding farm and training horses from the ground up. Her art soon took precedence, but she continued to work part-time in order to keep her citizenship current. It took a long while, but eventually, Izabela earned her green card that kept her in the country for three years.

With her family being her family and their desires for her to focus on her equestrian career with the Olympics in mind, relationships were few and far between. Izabela never allowed herself to become attached to anyone, not when they were a potential distraction and a danger towards everything she had worked towards her entire life. Things burned hot and fast and never lasted. Boredom took over as soon as attraction began. And so went her relationship with a cowboy named Wesley. He was smart, sexy, dangerous, and exciting, yet Izabela found herself uninterested in him. Most conversations consisted of his accomplishments and complaining about his rodeo rival. It wasn’t until she went to a bar with her best friend and had an argument that she met said rival. Izabela hadn’t intended to fall in love with Christopher Sanders, yet it was a force completely beyond her control. They were married within months of meeting, much to the surprise of those closest to them, following an accident Chris suffered in the rodeo.

Though Izabela has been in the United States for years, she still struggles. She is hyper aware of how she is perceived, due to harmful stereotypes of Eastern European women that have resulted in verbal abuse hurled her way. Even with a progressive thought process in current generations, there would always be people in the community who feel the Sokolovs didn’t belong in Turtle Bay. It has cost her jobs and opportunities, though she hasn’t told her husband such. Despite her setbacks, both past and current, she continues to thrive.

Personality:

Positive traits: Driven, creative, perseverant

Negative traits: Headstrong, impulsive, argumentative

Misc:

Here is a moodboard!

Here is a Pinterest board!

Izabela Sokolova is played by Admin Sunshine

[50poemsforsnow]

50 Poems for Snow / Zagreb, third edition poster design by Petra Milički

50 POEMS FOR SNOW FAQ

What is 50 Poems for Snow?

50 Poems for Snow is an international no-budget poetry festival taking place each year in a number of cities on the first day of snowfall. The festival takes place at night and in the outdoors. Three poets perform few poems of their own, each of them adding one more by a classic author to whom the festival is dedicated that particular year.  

Besides poetry, 50 Poems for Snow is also an environmental event that raises awareness of climate change.  

What kind of organization is 50 Poems for Snow?

Informal.

50 Poems for Snow is not a registered organization, but rather a hobby to all who participate in organizing the events in cities worldwide. 

Why is the festival called 50 Poems for Snow?

The number is random and for no apparent reason.  

Who founded the festival?

Initial idea and concept of the festival came from Sasa Simpraga from Zagreb, Croatia.

Sasa Simpaga, who is not a poet, and Aleksandar Hut Kono who is a poet, then decided to organize the first event in Zagreb, Croatia in the winter of 2012/2013.  

Nowdays, Sasa Simpraga, Aleksandar Hut Kono and Magdalena Dosen comprise the festival advisory board.

How is the festival funded?

50 Poems for Snow is a no-budget event.

Where did the first event took place?

The first edition of 50 Poems for Snow took place in Zagreb, Croatia on 19th of January 2013. The festival was founded in 2012, but the actual event happened with the first snowfall that winter.

Where did the first international (outside Croatia) event took place?

The first edition of 50 Poems for Snow outside Croatia took place in Prishtina, Kosovo in 2015.

In what cities and countries did the festival already took place?

So far, 50 Poems for Snow then has taken place in 38 cities and 16 countries: Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Prague (Czechia), Helsinki (Finland), Prishtina and Prizren (Kosovo), Yerevan (Armenia), Belgrade, Novi Sad and Pančevo (Serbia), Vienna (Austria), Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria), Colomiers, L’Isle Jourdain and Toulouse (France), Maribor and Ravne na Koroškem (Slovenia), Stockholm (Sweden), Zagreb, Delnice, Dubrovnik, Otočac, Velika Gorica, Čakovec, Koprivnica, Križevci, Osijek, Petrinja, Požega, Sinj, Sisak and Zaprešić (Croatia), Edinburgh and Braemar (UK), New York City and Sewanee (USA), Berlin (Germany) and Phnom Penh (special monsoon editon/ Cambodia).

50 Poems for Snow, fifth edition poster design by Dario Dević

To which poets was the festival dedicated so far?

Wislawa Szymborska, Tomas Transtromer, Rumi, Octavio Paz, Constantine Cavafy, Pablo Neruda, Nicanor Parra, Dinos Christianopoulos, Ono no Komachi, Fernando Pessoa and Federico Garcia Lorca.  

Who decides to whome the festival will be dedicated?

The central organizers in Zagreb. But, we are very open to suggestions. Please feel free to submit proposals to the organizers in Zagreb.

It is usual that a globaly acclaimed poet is chosen as translations are videly available.  

Is every edition of the festival in one season dedicated to the same poet?

Yes, that is also a part of what makes us all a network.

How many poets are need to organize the event?

Three poets to perform their poetry.  

How many poems does one poet read?

Usually, one poet reads one to three poems of his/hers own and one by the classic poet the festival is dedicated to that particular winter.  

Does the poems need to be about snow?

No.

At what kind of location can the event take place?

50 Poems for Snow is a public event.

It takes place outdoors.

The ideal location would be a public park where snow is plentiful, lights are minor or none, and there is quietness. The lack of noise is very important as poets read out loud.

The location in the city is selected by individual organizers.

It is advised that the location is safe and central, thus easily reachable for the public.

50 Poems for Snow / Prishtina, poster design by Niko Mihaljević

Do I need to be a professional poet to organize or participate in the event?

No.

Anybody who writes and/or likes poetry is welcomed to join.  

Can I organize the event if I am not a poet?

Yes.

In that case you need to find three poets who will perform their poetry, while you coordinate the event. 

If one likes, organizing the local edition of 50 Poems for Snow may be listed as part of CV.

Can an organization organize the event?

Yes.

Your organization may or may not be involved in poetry.

It is important that no organization can use the event for making profit, as it is strictly volountary.

An organization that organizes the event may freely list the festival as part of their activities.  

If I organize the event and I am a poet, do I get to perform or three other poets are needed?

If you are a poet, it is great if you read too alongside other two poets.  

Can I organize the festival if I live in an area where there is no snow?

Basically no as the festival is about snow, so it requires snow or even a possibility that it might fall in the winter time.

If there is snow in your area only on occasion, an you are eager to organize the event, it can be organized too. So far we had cities involved where snow is not a regular occurrence.

Additionally, if you want the festival to take place in non-snow part of the world, it can be done as an exception, possibly on the last day of the European winter or other appropriate date. For instance, in Phnom Penh special monsoon edition took place. 

What happens if there is no snow?

The festival is either postponed for next winter or takes place widouth snow on the last day of winter, or some other date. It is up to the organizers to decide themselves. Snow is generally prefered.

How much snow is enough?

It is up to the organizer of each individual event to decide how much snow is enough to announce and held the event in their city.

What is the protocol on the day of snowfall?

It is the organizers responsability to decide on which day the event will take place, depending on snowfall.

Following the decision, poets are informed and the event is announced on social media.

On the event itself, as an introduction, we kindly ask for general information  about the festival to be shared with the audience.

Then, poets are individualy announced and they read poetry.

The event usualy lasts some 15 to 20 minutes.

How long prior to the event is the exact date annouced?

50 Poems for Snow is specific for the fact that the exact date of the festival is not known in advance and it depends on snowfall. Usually the weather forecast is followed and the exact date annouced up to 24 hours before it happens.

50 Poems for Snow , second edition poster design by Bojan Krištofić

How do I advertise the event?

Social media is a great way to make people know 50 Poems for Snow is taking place in your city. Usually, best way is to invite your own friends and friends of the poets personally.

Information about the event can also be shared and posted on local literary groups, associations and such, including media.

Whats does the information on the event need to comprise?

The main organizers in Zagreb make a web poster for each city. Posters are the same in design, only written information is specific for each city.

The information text on the poster should be brief.  

Can I use the translated name of the festival?

Yes, but we also kindly ask for English version to be used too, as it to be recognizable and clearly indicated that your event is part of 50 Poems for Snow international network.

Do poets need to announce in advance what they will read?

No. It is up to the poets to decide what they read as a suprise to the audience.  

What language should the poems be read?

It is up to the poets to decide in which language to read their poetry. It is usual that people read poetry in language they write it in. Also, other languages can be used If one desires.

As every season of the festival is dedicated to one classic author, hers or his poetry may be read in the original language, following the poem in translation, or only in translation. It is up to the organizers to decide in what language(s) the event happens.      

50 Poems for Snow, sixt edition poster design by Rafaela Dražić

How is festival coordinated?

The festival network is coordinated from Zagreb, while each city section is responsible for their own edition.  

How do I get involved?

If you wish to organize the event in your city, please contact Sasa Simpraga (ssimpraga at gmail.com)

Should I give it a a try?

Yes.

[tripodsandturbulence]

February 28, 2017

When researching Bulgaria we found many travellers prefer the cities of Plovdiv or Velika Tarnovo to Sofia, as they are supposed to be prettier, and Plovdiv is considered a highly cultural city. So we decided to split our time between Sofia and Plovdiv.

After arriving in Plovdiv late in the evening we didn’t start sightseeing until the next day. Plovdiv has a few main tourist areas: the old town - filled with cobble stone streets and dozens of restored old houses featuring museums and art galleries; Kapana, or “the trap” - an area of boutique stores, cafes, bars and restaurants; and the newly restored pedestrian street - a wide boulevard featuring larger shops and restaurants, - many of them chains, park spaces, and civic buildings. It also has the distinction of being Europe’s longest pedestrian road.

We spent the morning exploring on our own, and in the afternoon we took the free Plovdiv walking tour, the sister tour of the free Sofia walking tour we did the day before. The history of Plovdiv is equally fascinating to that of Sofia, and it is one of a small handful of cities in Europe which lays claim to being Europes oldest city (there is no clear consensus on which city actually deserves the distinction). The most interesting features of Plovdiv are the Roman ruins buried beneath the city. A roman stadium dating back almost 2000 years was discovered right under the pedestrian street, and a small part of it has been unearthed and preserved. In total it is 240 meters long, but the city has left most of it buried intact, because they don’t want to dig up that much of the main street. And in old Plovdiv an ancient Roman theatre was unearthed in the 1970’s, and is used today for theatre performances in the summer time.

There is no doubt Plovdiv has more beautiful streets than Sofia, more art galleries and shops, and more of a cafe culture, but we found it boring compared to Sofia. Sofia has many more spectacular sights, and we definitely prefer sightseeing to culture.

[lungfishtravel]

The weird chapel art and some street art in Velika Tărnovo

[lungfishtravel]

The castle in Velika Tarnovo