The meeting was organized by the school librarian Mina Boneva as part of the program marking the Day of the National Revival Leaders.
The auditorium was filled to capacity, and dozens of students followed the event standing.
Siromahov spoke openly and naturally, emphasizing topics important to young people – the path to personal success, the effort behind every achievement, and the importance of perseverance and self-discipline. He paid special attention to the role of reading, presented not just as a habit, but as a necessary tool for developing critical thinking and personal freedom.
During the meeting, the author shared stories behind some of his books, inspired by real-life situations and observations, explaining how humor in his writing often serves as a way to express serious social critique.
Given the date, the topic of the coincidence between the Day of the National Revival Leaders and the growing popularity of Halloween among young people naturally arose. Siromahov expressed the view that the two occasions are not in contradiction – one is for fun, the other for reflection, and there is no need to oppose them. He stressed that what matters is understanding what and why one celebrates.
The meeting gave students the chance to become acquainted with the work of a contemporary Bulgarian author and hear his perspective on education, personal responsibility, and the role of culture in modern society.
