— European capital of culture 2019 bids

Every year since 1985 more than 40 EU cities are designated as Capitals of culture, a title giving them the Melina Mercouri prize and the chance to outspread a creative program throughout a year and after. As a significant cultural event, the year of the Capital is a chance for sustainable cultural development as well as economic growth due to the vast number of tourists and media attention. In 2013, the team of Hamalogika Maika was a part of, was invited to create the concept and the cultural program for the pre-selection "Cultural Collider" bid of the city of Burgas (Bulgaria) for the European Capital of Culture 2019. A year later at the invitation of Municipal Foundation Plovdiv 2019, the team developed projects from the "Together" art program of the city of Plovdiv (Bulgaria) for its participation in the second stage of the competition. Plovdiv was titled European Capital of Culture 2019 alongside the city of Matera (Italy).
The "Cultural Collider" became the largest research of cultural economics in Burgas laying the foundation for a ten-year culture development strategy of the city. The project Chitalishta ("community reading rooms"), part of the "Together" bid, became a model for recovery of these special kinds of cultural community centers in Bulgaria, first emerged in the late 19th century.

— Association for culture and education

Hamalogika creates and promotes projects of arts, non-conventional cultural politics, education, and social entrepreneurship. In its work, it's always looking for opportunities to explore the boundaries of multidisciplinary projects of arts, architecture, design, and technology. One of its main challenges is stimulating the participation of stakeholders in the sustainable development of cities through culture. Hamalogika was a major partner in the development of European culture capital bids of two Bulgarian cities.
Started in 2016 Hamalogika runs its own cultural center in the city of Burgas, Bulgaria, thanks to the help of the local community members. It provides an inspiring work environment and space for creatives and encourages local residents to take action and speed up the process of meaningful changes and solutions to some of the social issues we encounter daily.
With its projects, Hamalogika raised the local community's awareness of the politics concerning small independent cultural spaces. It all led to huge community support and the establishing of the Hamalogika cultural center in 2016.

ROLE: CO-FOUNDER AND PROJECT MANAGER (2012 - 2016)
PROJECT STRATEGY
CONCEPT AND EVENT MANAGEMENT

— Publication for arts and culture

Виж! is an independent print publication, dedicated to the contemporary Bulgarian art and culture scene. The monthly magazine is focusing on Bulgarian and Balkan art as seen today, showing projects, people, and ideas that are in constant need of movement and expression. It is a small almanac reflecting the cities and their creative inhabitants.
Виж! (as in Take a look!) is focused on the subjects of the culture and alternative entertainment of Bulgaria and the Balkans. Each issue consists of illustrated topics and Q&As, visual art showcases, as well as a selection of contemporary Slavic literature. It is printed in Bulgaria.

Inspired

— Creative meetings

Inspired is a series of creative meetings representing the nuances of contemporary art forms. Inspired's speakers introduce young people and art teachers to the world of contemporary visual art, showing them its history, evolution, and potential for creative expression.
The participants play and learn the theoretical, political, and practical side of art. Inspired contributes to strengthening the relationship between students and their teachers, something that they can integrate into their programs of art study. And mostly this is a project for self-discovery and self-awareness through art and its place in the modern world. Inspired believes that culture and knowledge are free, and free children are the key to building a proud society.

ROLE: CO-FOUNDER (2010/2016)
PROJECT STRATEGY
EVENT MANAGEMENT & PR

— A concert on an island

St. Anastasia near Burgas is the only inhabited island in the Bulgarian territory of the Black Sea. Its one-hectare territory has an ex-convent converted into a museum with interactive art installations, a guesthouse, a church, and an open-air scene. As part of the Виж! magazine's team Maika started organizing music events and movie screenings on the island in 2014 that were both challenging and fun to manage. One year later two of the biggest Bulgarian pop and jazz musicians Beloslava and Jivko Petrov invited us to take the risky job of organizing their concert on the island. "Life is beautiful" was sold out in a week, filling the island to its full capacity.