9750 | 22 April 2025 | 21:46

"I want to see the spirit of collaboration and community return, not aggression and division," emphasized the well-known Bulgarian journalist.

Prominent Bulgarian journalist Valeria Veleva presented two of her books this evening at the Regional Library "Lyuben Karavelov" in Ruse. This was reported by the press center of the Regional Administration - Ruse.

The editions "Wounds from power", which contains 50 notable interviews with politicians and intellectuals, and "Oh, this power" with 122 selected articles and comments, were presented in the conference hall of the library today at a meeting and discussion, attended by the regional governor Dragomir Draganov and the mayor Pencho Milkov. According to him, today's event focuses on one of the most important forces in modern society - honest journalism.

"In a world where information spreads at lightning speed, and unfortunately fake news often masquerades as truth, journalism guided by truth, honesty and responsibility is more necessary than ever," emphasized Draganov and pointed out that the presentation of such books is a unique shield against manipulation.

"Every journalist who dares to seek the truth, regardless of the difficulties and pressure, contributes to the building of a more transparent and fair world." According to Draganov, Valeria Velveva's books are a living organism, literally built from emotions, ideas, quests and most importantly, concern for the homeland.

The mayor Milkov characterized Veleva as a careful analyst and pointed out that what she has written is a kind of textbook and measure, creating expectations of what a state leader should be. According to the mayor, the most important thing at the moment for society is setting a main and general goal.

"I have written, published and gathered these books so that there is a memory of this time, of the successes and mistakes, so that we do not repeat them. The books are also directed towards future generations - to read the dissection of this time, to feel it with all its soarings, failed hopes, desires for change, the non-existent change, the absent leadership, the wrong decisions we have made as a state and society," Veleva said.

According to her, most of the high-level decisions so far have been wrong.

"I will never forget 2008, when Radoy Ralin told me - we veered off course. The path was laid out, it was clear, but we walked it crookedly, making many mistakes as a society. We chose unsuccessful politicians who made poor decisions. Currently, there is a lack of leadership and vision," she shared, stating that her hope lies with the youth.

"This political class is unable to produce a leader. The young people here in Bulgaria, not imported, but grown on this land, have seen all the negatives and know what needs to be done, based on experience, education, traditions and re-evaluation, as well as moral values - my hope is in them," added Valeria Veleva.

"If you have morals - there will be no deviation or losing of direction, or even talk of corruption. I mostly want the spirit of Bulgaria to return, which we have lost in these years - the spirit of co-building, of community, not of aggression and division. A divided nation cannot thrive," stated Veleova firmly.

The event was led by academician Ivan Granitski. According to him, Valeria Veleova's books are like an x-ray of the social pulsations and development of trends in the last 35 years.

"We see changes in political leadership and leaders. Parties come and go from power, but the homeland is one and Veleova ponders on these issues. She tries to explain why these processes are happening, if there is a way out, and what needs to be done. She has a lively and captivating style, she is not only a good analyst but also a good essayist and journalist. There are also strict scientific analyses, but there are also poetic and figurative elements," said Acad. Granitski.

"For a long time, Theodora Evtimova, this incredible and tireless director of one of the best regional libraries in Bulgaria, has an idea to have a guest event with Valeria Veleva and her books, which came out a year ago. But even before that, the idea to meet with Veleva arose when her book dedicated to Lili Ivanova was released. Her books contain interviews with all Bulgarian presidents and prime ministers since the democratic changes. The other book, "Oh, this power," includes her analysis of this transition in all spheres of social, economic and spiritual life and is very interesting," shared the host of the event.

Valeria Veleva was born on January 2, 1955. From 1973 to 1992 she worked as a journalist. She works at the Bulgarian National Television, where she is the author of documentary films and historical sketches. She has also served as the responsible editor for the First Program.

Since 1992, she has been a member of the newspaper "Dneven Trud", where she was the responsible editor of the "Society and Analyses" department from 2001 to 2011 and also led the independent section "Po Pantofi".

Since 2012, she has been the deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Press", and from January 2, 2013 to July 31, 2015, she was the first deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

Since September 6, 2015, she has been the editor-in-chief of the informational-analytical website Epicenter.BG.

She is the author of books such as "Money, Power, Communism" (2007), "Men in Power" (2008), "Confessions in Slippers" (2008), "Wounds of Power" (2015), and "Lili Ivanova. My Personal Diary"(2023). She has been awarded the title of "Reporter of the Year" for both 1995 and 1996. She is the first recipient of the "Chernorizets Hrabar" award from the Union of Publishers in Bulgaria for overall journalistic work (October 22, 2002).