The Members of the Hellenic Business Council in Bulgaria – Sofia Ring Mall and IKEA Bulgaria – are supporting a meaningful social initiative by EMPROVE Foundation, which is launching a “Pop-up Reading Room of Women’s Strength” at Sofia Ring Mall during Women’s Month.
The temporary reading space will be open from 10 March to 10 April, located on Level 1, next to Douglas, and will offer visitors free access to a curated selection of books from Kota 0, Colibri and Enthusiast Publishing Houses, as well as resources promoting awareness and support for women. The space will also feature artworks by Bulgarian artist Lada Yankova.
The initiative is realized with the support of Sofia Ring Mall, which once again partners with EMPROVE in efforts to ensure that messages of awareness, solidarity and zero tolerance toward violence reach a broader audience. Together with IKEA Bulgaria, the space has been designed as a warm and welcoming environment that evokes the feeling of home – a place for reading, meeting, and taking a short pause from everyday life.
For some visitors, the reading room may also become a space of calm and inner security that they do not always find at home.
At the heart of the project stands the book “See Me: Strong and Free”, a poetic collection reflecting the emotions and strength of #WomenSurvivors – the first Bulgarian community of women who have overcome violence and chosen a new path forward. Instead of silence and social taboo, they transform their personal stories into inspiration through the art of writing.
The poems were created under the artistic direction of playwright and poet Stefan Ivanov, with the guidance of seven prominent contemporary Bulgarian poets whose works are also included in the book: Albena Todorova, Bilyana Dimova, Eva Gocheva, Kamelia Panayotova, Nadezhda Radulova, Reneta Bakalova and Silvia Choleva. The book is published by Kota 0 Publishing House.
The edition is illustrated by artist Lada Yankova, whose visual work also comes to life in the reading room itself, extending the artistic experience beyond the pages of the book.
Special Event – World Poetry Day
On 21 March – World Poetry Day, the reading room will host a public poetry reading from the book “See Me: Strong and Free.” Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the poems in a shared atmosphere of reflection and connection.
Artist Iva Yankulova (YVA) will complement the event with a special artistic performance transforming selected poems from the collection into musical poetry.
Partners
The Pop-up Reading Room of Women’s Strength is realized with the support of Sofia Ring Mall, IKEA Bulgaria, Kota 0 Publishing House and Chateau Copsa – partners who consciously use their reach and access to a wide audience to promote meaningful social causes.
About EMPROVE Foundation
The mission of EMPROVE Foundation is to raise awareness about the early signs of violence in relationships, change public attitudes and support women and girls who have experienced violence.
The foundation’s work includes public awareness campaigns, free psychological and legal support, coaching, training programs, group therapy sessions, art initiatives and the development of the #WomenSurvivors community, which supports other women on their path toward change.
