26.05.2026
On 16 May 2026, Hall “Yaitseto”(“The Egg”) at Sofia University hosted a discussion and screening of the documentary film “Giants” as part of the first sustainable film festival, “Kragovrat”. The event brought together people from various professional and social backgrounds, united by the idea that volunteering and civic engagement can truly transform society.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Assoc. Prof. Marina Stefanova, PhD, Vice-Dean for Sustainability, Empowerment, and Engagement at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. She then invited Kamelia Todorova from the “Rescue Club For the Future” to the stage. The organization donated a defibrillator to the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration to ensure access to life-saving assistance in FEBA. In her brief address, Todorova emphasized the importance of people who refuse to remain indifferent to social challenges and choose to take action.
A special guest at the event was Hristo Petkov, one of the screenwriters and directors of the film “Giants”, who spoke about the process behind the creation of the documentary. He shared that the idea for the film developed gradually as the team realized how powerful and deeply human the story of the “Caps for the Future” initiative was, and how important it was for it to reach a wider audience.
Petkov described the long production process — from the first footage shot in 2022 to the collection of more than 200 hours of video material and the creation of an original soundtrack performed by a symphony orchestra. During the discussion, the director also highlighted the role of art as a bridge between causes and society. According to him, cinema has the power not only to inform but also to create an emotional connection through which people more easily recognize the importance of collective effort and personal responsibility.
Following a video message from Lazar Radkov, the panel discussion titled “Volunteering and Civic Participation: The People Who Change the World” began. Participants included Elitsa Barakova, Executive Director of the Bcause Foundation; Assoc. Prof. Borislav Aleksandrov, PhD, Head of the Department of Geodesy and Geoinformatics at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy; as well as Metodi Marinov and Kostadin Gribachev from the “Rescue Club For the Future”.
Elitsa Barakova traced the development of philanthropy and civic engagement in Bulgaria over recent years. She noted that society is becoming increasingly sensitive to public issues and that more people are recognizing the importance of personal involvement. The discussion also addressed the need for a Volunteering Act, which could provide a clearer framework and stronger support for volunteer initiatives in the country.
Particularly inspiring was the participation of Assoc. Prof. Borislav Aleksandrov — scientist, researcher, mountain rescuer, and participant in six Antarctic expeditions. He shared that working in extreme conditions and encountering nature firsthand changes one’s understanding of human interdependence and responsibility. According to him, it is precisely in difficult situations that people’s ability to act together for a common cause, without expecting anything in return, becomes most visible.
Kostadin Gribachev spoke about the personal motivation behind volunteering and emphasized that the success of any volunteer community is built on trust, consistency, and shared values. He encouraged young people not to underestimate the power of small actions, because they are often the beginning of major change.
Metodi Marinov focused on consistency as a key element of volunteer work. He stressed that sustainable results require long-term commitment and active dialogue with institutions, schools, and local communities. According to him, partnerships between the civic sector and society are the foundation for the broader impact of initiatives such as “Caps for the Future”.
The discussion evolved into an open and inspiring conversation about solidarity, active citizenship, and the strength of community. The shared message from all participants was that change begins with personal example and that every individual has the opportunity to become part of something meaningful.
The event continued with a screening of the film “Giants”, which reminded audiences that behind every major change stand people with determination, compassion, and the willingness to act.
The initiative is held with the institutional support of the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.
The festival is supported by: UBB, ASU, Siemens, Paysafe, and Promeni Kartinkata.