And the winner is…
On July 1st, 2025, the Youth Castival under the Window Youth project took place in the heart of Sofia – at the Largo, in front of the Regional History Museum. The event was held in an open exhibition area where citizens and visitors of the capital had the opportunity to witness and take part in this inspiring celebration.
The atmosphere was truly festive, as the most anticipated moment of the program was the awarding of the podcasts nominated to represent HESED and Bulgaria at the international Window Youth Festival in Brussels.
The authors of the five winning podcast episodes will receive a special prize – participation in the international Window Youth Festival in Brussels, Belgium, including a visit to the European Parliament.
The local Castival carried the slogan “Not only said, but heard”, reflecting the spirit of the Window Youth project. Under the glass dome of the Largo, the summer heat was intense – but the emotions were even stronger. The most powerful source of excitement for the young participants was the announcement of the best podcast awards.
The winners are:
Lyubo Stoyanov – “Different”
A powerful personal story about what it means to be different and to stand up for yourself in a conservative society that struggles to accept those who think differently.
Petya Dimitrova – “Thinking Beyond the Stereotype”
An emotional first-person narrative about the discrimination and stereotypes that people from the Roma community face at every stage of their lives.
Galya Asenova – “Between the Lines”
A heartfelt and intimate conversation between a mother and daughter on the topic of early marriages and how social norms in the community are changing.
Tsetzka Asenova – “At the Crossroads – Love and Traditions”
An interview with a woman who was forced to marry according to the Roma tradition of being “abducted” as a bride.
Lyuboslava Tosheva – “Youthfun, Ep. 2”
An engaging discussion between fathers and daughters exploring the differences between generations.
Congratulations to the winners!
We wish them continued success and many more inspiring podcasts in the future.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all members of the jury for their time, dedication, and professionalism in evaluating podcasts.
