Mariya is the Initiator and Founder of the First Bulgarian BookVillage – Chelopek BookVillage, Municipality of Vratsa, Bulgaria, Chair of Knigini Association.

Mariya was inspired by an article devoted to culture as a factor for regional development which comprised the booktown concept as well and she initiated setting up the first Bulgarian book village – Chelopek (a picturesque Bulgarian village, in the foothills of Vratsa Balkan, the hometown of the Baba Iliytsa – a heroine of a work of the Patriarch of Bulgarian Literature Ivan Vazov). The village is famous for its cultural-historical heritage and natural landmarks, local hospitality, vivid community, and a range of festivals. Inspired by the values of IoB, her association breathed life into the local closed kindergarten – the present Knigini Center, set up a bookshop with a mission – to support young talents and good deeds, and enhanced the experience in the region through the virtual reality (VR) movie “Destination Vratsa – Greatness and Beauty in 360°”. In November 2019 Chelopek gained International Organisation of Booktowns full membership and Mariya has been on the IoB Board since 2022. Classical philologist, tutor in medical Latin, part of teams involved in deciphering and encoding rare artifacts, author of articles ranging from antiquity to applying technologies for cultural management, preservation and promotion, PR, social media & event management expert, with solid experience in European institutions. Mariya is married, with two children.