Today, On April 25, 2023, Bulgaria remembers the life and work of the talented Bulgarian poet Petya Dubarova, who was born in 1962 in the city of Burgas.
Petya Dubarova remains in the history of Bulgarian literature as the youngest poet who does not allow the socialist system to take away the romantic blaze to a better, beautiful and colourful world in which a person can talk to the world, nature, the sea, and thus preserve himself, without any restrictions and compulsions imposed by social and political reality.
Petya is still in kindergarten when she shows her poetic inclinations, encouraged by her literary mother throughout her life. She established himself as a highly diligent and intelligent child in school.
Her first poetic appearances date back to when Petya Dubarova was nine years old when she published children’s periodicals and two years later published in the school magazine “Rodna Rec”, which for Bulgaria in the 60s and 70s of the 20th century was one of the most severe youth magazines for gifted children.
Petya was only 12 years old when her poems were printed on the pages of literary newspapers and magazines, along with works by established artists.
When Petya Dubarova turned 14, she applied to the English Language High School in Burgas and was accepted with a total flying mark in the exams. It was during this period that he created some of his brightest works.
The main themes in her poetry, prose, letters and journals are nature, sea, city, school, daily and festive being, love, and more. Her work is vital, “tells” life in its fullness. Yet, at the heart of all topics, the motive for the creator’s suppressed “self” is most vividly seen since the man of socialism has no freedom to express himself and his individuality.
The totalitarian regime’s prohibitions are related to school discipline and the attempt to suppress the creative expression of the young man so that he becomes practical and effective, especially for the propaganda of the political regime.
The young poet’s first translation attempts are from her high school education period. The songs of Pink Floyd, The Bee Gees, The Beatles, Smokey and other Western groups are banned for listening in socialist Bulgaria.
Still, Petya, in addition to listening to them, creates poetic translations of some of the lyrics, with her most famous translation being the song “Time” by Pink Floyd. He also makes artistic translations of works by Robert Burns.
In 1978 Petya Dubarova was selected at a casting to participate in the Bulgarian film of director Georgi Dulgerov “Tramp”. Her role in the movie is epic but iconic, as the plot builds on the motive of a plagiarized literary contest.
In 1979 Petya Dubarova ended her life after experiencing severe, harsh, and unfair punishment imposed on her by the school management. Since 2018, Petya Dubarova has been enrolled in the 12th-grade compulsory education curriculum.
In 2022, the Bulgarian Cultural Ministry marked the 60th anniversary of Petya Dubarova’s birth with several events, including the official release of the movie “Fifth of My Petya”. The project was implemented with the support of the IA National Film Center (NFC) to the Ministry of Culture and Burgas Municipality.