Iliyan Kuzmanov

Iliyan Kuzmanov is a Bulgarian born British-Canadian public figure, journalist writer and social entrepreneur.
== Biography ==
Kuzmanov was born on 3 February 1979 in Pazardzhik. He is a from Kalugerovo, Pazardzhik. Heir of an significant noble family closely affiliated with Bulgarian and Ottoman history. With a memorial erected for his contribution to society and military exploits. . A family of wealthy farmers and merchants who built schools, libraries and churches. Great grandfather Kuzman Mushev was a military hero of World War I. He graduated from the Military Academy "G. С. He participated under the command of General Marholev in the Twenty-seventh Chepinski Regiment in the battles of the Bend of the Cherna River, where he managed to save the lives of twenty-two residents of Kalugerovo, for which was promoted to commander of a military unit. For his displays of bravery in the battles in which the Bulgarian troops fought alongside the German ones he was awarded the Iron Cross. In 1944, after the fall of Bulgaria to communism, all the family's properties were nationalized. 
Kuzmanov studied law in Plovdiv. In Canada history and economics at Concordia University, Montreal (2006). In 2011 he moved to London, England, where he created the social business Angel Social Group. In 2014, he founded the social project - Ezo, in the borough of Newham, London.
He established the Art Angel Foundation in Bulgaria in 2019. In 2022 creates forum for citizens' discussions - I Love Bulgaria. The goal of the platform is to create a dialogue between citizens and institutions to talk about the problems of people who return or want to live in Bulgaria. 
== Social activism ==
=== United Kingdom === 
Kuzmanov's Project Ezo is a social business initiative in London. The social business works with homeless people, exhibits and sells art by homeless. A legacy later transferred to Bulgaria. It maintains its own independent free library of over 3000 titles, also used by the Bulgarian community in London. It also provides free courses for the local disadvantaged community. 
Iliyan Kuzmanov's Ezo Project is included in the BAS publication Bulgarian Cultural Heritage in Migration.
=== Bulgaria ===
In 2020, Iliyan Kuzmanov established the Art Angel Foundation to address social issues. The main battles of the Foundation are againstviolence against women, human trafficking and corruption. Creates the Open Cultural Space "Esoligencia", serving as a multicultural hub for people of different communities, ethnicities, beliefs and sexualities. 
Art Angel's causes include the Maria Project and the Prison Social Business Development Project. 
Project Maria is based on the uncovering of a human trafficking network and a drug lab connected to it in Kalugerovo, thanks to investigative journalist and public figure Iliyan Kuzmanov. In Kalugerovo, Iliyan helps a Latvian citizen who preaches Islam and is caught in a network of human traffickers to save herself and find refuge. At the same time he organized a massive awarness campaign for the victims of Human Trafficking and that foreign citizens in danger in Bulgaria should have the full protection of the Law and be given complete Social Protection. 
Iliyan Kuzmanov created an education center for the Afgan children of the Military Ramp refugee camp; [ https://bnr.bg/horizont/post/101585075/ilia-kuzmanov-pomaga-na-jeni-jertvi-na-nasilie Advocate for Human Rights] and used art as a language to communicate with children in minority areas; At the beginning of the COVID Crisis supports adults, artists and teachers in Bulgaria; helps during COVID the Emergency Department at the Pazardzhik Public Hospital "Art Angel" Foundation delighted the "heroes" of Emergency Aid. Some of the Iliyan Kuzmanov social public awareness campaigns include causes such as banning sport hunting, vaccinating against COVID-19, fighting racism, domestic violence, human trafficking and homophobia.
In 2022 "Art Angel", together with the National Library Network and the municipality of Pazardzhik, announces an initiative to preserve digital archives related to the ethnology and culture. This is part of a series of initiatives by Ilian aimed at demonstrating that digitalization and the penetration of technology in institutions is the main way to tackle the pandemic levels of corruption and inefficiency in Bulgaria.
== Journalism ==
Iliyan Kuzmanov also works as a journalist-activist, author of international analyses and investigations, writes on topics such as political analysis and coverage of major events. with a primary focus Russia and Southeast Asia, human rights and personal development, lifestyle, tourism and travel, social entrepreneurship and social activities. Gives publicity to corruption patterns in the NGO sector in Bulgaria and in Bulgarian regions. Member of the British Writers' Union (SoA) , American Press Association and PEN America. 
Iliyan Kuzmanov is owner of the independent website for analysis and culture theangel.today which launched the important Hybrid Fortress project, aimed at uncovering the links of Russian influence in Bulgaria. The project provides an alternative view to the commonly accepted stereotypes by viewing Bulgaria as a Spiritual Gateway to Russian Ideological Influence. ,
== Writing, awards and activities ==
His style often combines magic realism with political and historical fiction.[ https://bnr.bg/horizont/post/101577367/ilian-kuzmanov Freedom is in the journey towards yourself] Kuzmanov's debut book, If You Meet Buddha, Kill Him! (2021), was originally published in English (If You Meet Buddha Kill Him) and became the first book by a Bulgarian writer to enter Amazon's Top 20 for best-selling titles (reaches 15th place) 
Kuzmanov was influenced to write the book by his travels in Asia.. For two years he traveled and resided in Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, China and Malaysia . Named "Sexiest Living Writer of 2021" as well as for "Person of the Year" by Career TV (TV Evropa, today Euronews). A member of Mensa UK. [ https://bg-voice.com/%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%8F%D0%BD-%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%B7%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE-iq-%D0%B0%D0%B9/?fbclid=IwAR0mk5oDadQLBjAj_YpiniiHJx--Hg-XxoF6UN2PMs4X1i21rgFmGKUGcKw Iliyan Kuzmanov, who surpassed Einstein in IQ and as an author - Stephen King and John Grisham] For his social activities in Bulgaria he was awarded the honorary "Golden Key". 
In 2021, Iliyan Kuzmanov realized an international Balkan Book Rock Tour, aiming to demonstrate that non-propaganda literature can be an ambassador of good relations in a region full of hatred and prejudice, in Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Republic of North Macedonia. Leaving aside the nationalist rhetoric provoked aiming the disintegration of the EU. The book was presented to more than 1000 readers from different countries in the Balkans. 
In September 2022, Iliyan's second book, The Devil I Know Him!, was published. A provocative philosophical fictional novel, which tells through the techniques of magical realism what freedom means. The novel is presented on the book tour - Mission London, aimed at showing that the promotion of Bulgarian culture can be done without the use of state budget and corruption. . In September, 2022, Iliyan Kuzmanov's book was selected as a New York Magazine Book of the Month. . The book The Devil I Know! leads the ranking of UK Talk Radio's in December, 2022. The electronic version of the book "The Devil-I Know Him" is free in Bulgarian, as part of a public awerness campaign that Bulgarian readers should receive digital library services. 
== Position on Ukraine ==
Through his second book, Ilian Kuzmanov launched a public campaign in Bulgaria aimed at increasing Bulgaria's military aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian model Karolina Shkolna took part in the publicity campaign. 
== Gallery ==
== In the media ==
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== References ==
== External references ==
* Official website of Ilian Kuzmanov
* Кузманов Перший болгарський письменник з міжнародним бестселером. Біографія
* Journalists Syndicate Solidarity about Ilian Kuzmanov
* After a successful in London, Ilian Kuzmanov chooses to come home to Pazardzhik; bTV
* Who is the Bulgarian who conquered Amazon; New TV
* Literature is my tool for change
* The most read book in the UK; BTA
* Bulgarian National Radio
* Iliyan has Turkish roots
* Friend of Ukraine
* Italian community in US
* People who should change the world
Category:Bulgarian writers
Category:Bulgarian journalists