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Iliyan Kuzmanov is a Bulgarian born British-Canadian writer, public figure, journalist, and social entrepreneur. His work often combines magic realism with political and historical fiction and primarily deals with the Russian Totalitarianism and the East European struggle for freedom, the transitions between Eastern and Western civilizations, asking the big question about the individual and his struggle against the totalitarian socialist state. With his debut book ''If You Meet Buddha, Kill Him!'' (original title: ''If You Meet Buddha Kill Him!'') - he became the first Bulgarian author to enter Amazon's Top 20 best-selling titles (15th place). He is the founder of Project Ezo(part of Angel Social Group - the first Bulgarian award-winning international social business in London, UK. Its social activities in Bulgaria are in support of women victims of violence and trafficking, of refugee children, to improve conditions in prisons, fight against corruption and injustices. Owner of an independent media, main focus is political analysis, human rights, liberal ideas and lifestyle.

Biography

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Born on 3 February 1979 in Pazardzhik, Iliyan Kuzmanov is a descendant of an extremely wealthy and Renaissance family from Kalugerovo, Pazardzhik Region, Bulgaria. For their contribution to Bulgarian history and the local community, the family of Iliyan Kuzmanov is honoured with a memorial. It was placed at the Town Hall, where his great-grandfather was the last mayor during the Ottoman Period and the first mayor after Independence in 1878. Ancient Noble Family of merchants, wine producers and military with Bulgarian and Turkish deep roots reaching according to legends to Emperor Bayezid II. The family built community centres, schools, churches and served the local community before the communist regime nationalised all their wealth.

Kuzmanov studied law in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In Canada history and economics at Concordia University, Montreal. He was trained by prof. Martin Singer, part of Henry Kissinger team. 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 with like-minded politicians from DA Bulgaria 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 leave Bulgaria.

Social activism

=== Canada ===

In Canada Ilian Kuzmanov is part of a social project for the integration of immigrant children. He is part of the Liberal Party, where he works as a personal assistant to Montreal mayoral candidate José-Marie Mastmonaco.

=== United Kingdom ===

Kuzmanov's Project Ezo is a social business initiative in London, UK. The social business works with homeless people, exhibits and sells art by homeless. A legacy later transferred to Bulgaria, through which Ilian tries to demonstrate that art is not elitist, is not studied in universities, but is free and can be found even on the street. A heretical concept that clashes with the traditional post-communist society based on art financed by the state and working for state propaganda. Project Ezo 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. Ezo has been named "one of the few remaining places with soul in the UK" by cultural portal Londonist, part of TimeOut, hits the charts as 'one of East London's eight hidden gems'. Iliyan Kuzmanov's Ezo Project is included in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences publication Bulgarian Cultural Heritage in Migration.

=== Bulgaria ===

In 2020, Ilian Kuzmanov established the Art Angel Foundation to address issues he personally encountered on his return to Bulgaria, as well as to protect other returning Bulgarians. 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. The Foundation's prison project starts in 2020 and borrows models from England, Norway and the United States of America. It has been declared a precedent in Bulgaria as the largest and most significant self-financing social entrepreneurship project in Bulgaria. It also raises questions about corruption in Bulgarian prisons. Project Maria is named after a Latvian Muslim woman who was trafficked, leading to the unraveling of an entire human and drug trafficking network and asks 100 questions about the NGO sector in Bulgaria, its level of effectiveness and corruption in the countryside. Project Maria served to initiate an international literary prize with participants from Bulgaria, France, the UK and the USA. The Pakistani academia is using Ilian Kuzmanov's projects as a model to tackle corruption and malpractices.

Iliyan Kuzmanov is a prominent human rights lawyer fighting through his work and social projects against Putin's chauvinism and traditionalism taking over Bulgaria. He created an entertainment and education center for the Afgan children of the Military Ramp refugee camp; uses art as a language to communicate with children in minority areas; Iliyan also helps talented poor athletes. ; 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. 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.

The struggle against corrupt societies is a major theme in Ilian Kuzmanov's work, but it is based on the writer's personal social battles. 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 of the place where Iliyan Kuzmanov was born, by collecting and digitizing old photos. 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. On Christmas Day 2022, Ilian Kuzmanov launched a new initiative to digitize the book content of the National Library, thus creating a single online library. The initiative identifies the problems and demonstrates an effective model for tackling corruption and malpractice in the country's library network, printing houses and publishing houses. Angel Social Group, which oversees all of Ilian Kuzmanov's business ventures, is a member of Social Enterprise UK - a network of social businesses in England, as well as the British-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, integrating the best Western practices according to the Bulgarian environment.

Journalism

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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. Owner of the independent website for analysis and culture „www.theangel.today“. The latest media project is Hybrid Fortress. An investigation into Russia's influence in the Bulgarian countryside.

Writing, awards and activities

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). For two years he travelled and resided in Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, China and Malaysia. In India he visited the Dalai Lama and his personal doctor, and spent a period in Dharamsala, the place where the Dalai Lama lives. Events earned him hatred among the Bulgarian Communists. Kuzmanov describes his book as a "deep and honest spiritual journey". The book has won awards in the USA as well as a finalist in numerous book competitions. Named "Sexiest Living Writer of 2021" by popular culture media (with over 2 million daily readers) Film Daily, writer with "the most potential for 2022" by the British "Essex TV" together with the cultural portal Art Daily, as well as for "Person of the Year" by Career TV (TV Evropa, today Euronews). A member of [[Mensa]] UK, he is one of the most intelligent Bulgarians, with an IQ well above that of Einstein. 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, North Macedonia|Republic of North Macedonia.

At Christmas in 2021. Ilian Kuzmanov is providing his book free of charge in electronic format in Bulgarian "as a gift for Bulgarian readers."

In September 2022, Iliyan's second book, The Devil I Know Him!, was published. A provocative fictional novel following the traditions of Goethe, Dante and Bulgakov, which tells through the techniques of magical realism what freedom means. The book is an anti-totalitarian scandal in Bulgaria, saturated with violence, sex, LGBT characters in which the main allegory being Putin's regime compared to an atheistic Anomaly. 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! in UK Talk Radio's best book list, beating out names like Stephen King and John Grisham to take first place in December, 2022. The electronic version of the book "The Devil-I Know Him" is free in Bulgarian.

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Ilian Kuzmanov has been a member of the Society for People with Exceptionally High Intelligence Quotient MENSA since 2004. In the UK and in Bulgaria he has provided his social businesses as a meeting place for intellectually gifted people, of which he is a bright representative. Which in between can be seen in his highly distinctive signature in everything he does. 

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Balkans Peace Book Rock Tour 2021

To understand the uniqueness and importance of this unprecedented book rock tour you need to understand it in the context of Bulgaria's relations with its neighbours. 

The 2021 Book Rock Tour is something never done by a Buglar writer, especially during a time of pandemic and political crises. Ilian Kuzmanov shows that a writer can be like a true Rock Star and Rock and Roll Kissinger! Over 500 people in the audience, five countries, and all this happening in the Balkans. Someone had called it 21st Century Cultural Diplomacy...

"It was important for me, as is the content of the book, to break frames and stereotypes, as well as to provoke thinking. A stereotype is Macedonia for Bulgaria! That we started with Macedonia. The place is great; the people are extremely cool, open, modern and creative. In just a few days, through a non-ideological book, I reached a bunch of young people who were super nice and interesting. But this is the way - casual, friendly, interesting, modern not only for Macedonia and our other neighbours, but for anyone outside. And not to hate each other and turn us against each other, the same ones who kept us in fear and subjugation for decades.It was a very hard road rock and roll diplomatic experience!"

Iliyan Kuzmanov

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References

  1.  Българска книга стана бестселър; Нова телевизия

  2.  Iliyan Kuzmanov, Аrchitect of the Mind

  3.  Разплетоха историята с мистериозната чужденка, открита полугола край Калугерово

  4.  Арт Ангел помоли деца – мигранти да нарисуват пътя си до България

  5.  Проект предвижда Арт център, фонтани и хлебопекарна в затвора

  6.  Калугерово отдаде чест на своите герои

  7.  Да се учиш от Учителя на Кисинджър

  8.  The meeting of heARTS @ Ezo Bistro

  9.  Ezo Bistro, Library & Gallery – Barking

  10.  Reunited: Daughter finds homeless dad online after 20 years – BBC News

  11.  The anatomy of best-selling author Iliyan Kuzmanov

  12.  Solid platform for bistro business in Barking

  13.  Илиян Кузманов - първият българин в класацията Топ 20 на Амазон с книгата си „Ако срещнеш Буда, убий го“

  14.  The Best Train Station Coffee Shop In London?

  15.  8 True Hidden Gems of East London

  16.  The Best Independent Cafés To Work From In London

  17.  Културно наследство в миграция

  18.  Вечерното шоу на Слави Трифонов, 24 януари 2022 г.

  19.  Българин в Лондон със социална програма за хората в нужда

  20.  Подготвят екстрадиция за чужденка, попаднала мистериозно в българско село

  21.  100 Questions

  22.  Проектът „Мария“ вдъхнови арт конкурс

  23.  Тайна е колко струва хлябът в затворите в страната

  24.  "Нашият следобед" с БСТВ (22.12.2021), гост: Илиян Кузманов, предприемач

  25.  Стоилов: Българските затворници пият най-качественото кафе от 30 лв./кг

  26.  Best selling author and social activist Iliyan Kuzmanov is presented in Asian universities

  27.  Малки мигранти рисуваха най-екстремното си пътуване

  28.  Талантливи ромчета ще рисуват в ново арт пространство в Пазарджик

  29.  Художествената гимнастика и социалният бизнес Арт Ангел си подадоха ръка в Пазарджик

  30.  Фондация „Арт Ангел“ зарадва хора на духа в тежките дни

  31.  Фондация „Арт Ангел“ зарадва „героите“ от Спешна помощ с професионална кафе машина.

  32.  Новите послания на „Фондация Арт Ангел“ – срещу трафика на хора, насилието в семейството, за сексуалната толерантност и против хомофобията

  33.  Какво означава гражданско общество?

  34.  Конкурс за най-стара и автентична снимка на кукери/дервиши/джумали

  35.  Българска книга стана бестселър; Нова телевизия

  36.  Our kid from Barking Iliyan Kuzmanov is the new Ghandi

  37.  Iliyan Kuzmanov: o Mad Man do empreendedorismo social

  38.  Bulgarian Mad Man

  39.  Piss off

  40.  Социалното предприемачество и неговата роля бе тема на изказването на представители на фондация „Арт Ангел“ в Пазарджик

  41.  Резюме на Илиян Кузманов, журналист-активист

  42.  ((en)) Библиография в „Goodreads

  43.  Среща с българския писател, достигнал топ 20 по продажби на Amazon

  44.  За първи път български автор влиза в престижната класация за книги топ 20 на Amazon - Bgonair

  45. ↑За първи път български писател в топ 20 на Amazon

  46. ↑Илиян Кузманов - първият българин в класацията "Топ 20" на "Амазон"

  47.  60 Минути около света

  48.  Il primo autore bulgaro a entrare nella top 15 dei best seller su Amazon: il caso Ilyan Kuzmanov

  49.  Literary Titan Book Awards December 2021

  50.  The 2021 Sexiest Writer Alive is…. Iliyan Kuzmanov

  51.  The next 10 big writers -2022

  52.  КАРИЕРА ТВ – 29 – 30.01.2022

  53.  Илиян Кузманов получи почетен Златен ключ

  54.  Как се пише бестселър, БНТ

  55.  Книгата „Ако срещнеш Буда, убий го!“ в електронен вариант на български език, за свободно теглене

  56.  Българинът, който направи книжно рок турне на Балканите

  57.  Писателят Илиян Кузманов обявява награда за дебютен роман на български автор

  58.  Илиян Кузманов – писател, автор на „Ако срещнеш Буда, убий го!“, достигнала 15-то място в Амазон

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Other References

59. The Bulgarian who made a Book Rock Toor

60. Iliyan present his book on a Balkan's Toor

61. Iliyan Kuzmanov conquered Turkey

62. The Bulgarian who made his debut in neighbouring countries

63. Наша гордост! Най-сексапилният писател в света е българин, кой е той СНИМКИ (blitz.bg)

64. Български писател влезе в Топ 20 на „Амазон“ (debati.bg)

65. Български писател с книга, която стана бестселър и стигна до 15-то място в "Амазон" - Телевизия Европа (tvevropa.com)

66.Илиян Кузманов - първият българин в класацията Топ 20 на Амазон с книгата си Ако срещнеш Буда, убий го - разширена версия - Българска национална телевизия (bnt.bg)

67. Авторът на българската книга, станала бестселър, говори за Plovdiv24.bg

68. БТА :: Социалният предприемач е кръстоска между социален работник и бизнесмен, смята Илиян Кузманов, който от години работи в тази сфера (bta.bg)

69. Илиян Кузманов е първият български писател в топ 20 на Amazon - Дали разбра? (dalirazbra.bg)

70. В Пазарджик ще бъде открита изложба за най-автентична кукерска снимка (focus-news.net)

71. Форум „Аз обичам България“ сътвори детски празник напук на омразата – интервю с Илиян Кузманов | pa1-media.bg

72. Детски празник за малките имигранти организираха Илиян Кузманов и Форум ”Аз обичам България” : Вестник Знаме - новини Пазарджик и областта (zname.info)

73. Арт Ангел помоли деца – мигранти да нарисуват пътя си до България | PZdnes | Днес новината си ти

74. Малки мигранти рисуваха най-екстремното си пътуване (marica.bg)

75. Пазарджик ще стане обществена трибуна, питаща защо България опустява! | pa1-media.bg

76. Няма такава държава: Неоценихме, обидихме и прогонихме от България най-успешния ни съвременен автор - Гледна точка (glednatochka.com)

77. Наш репортер беше гост на форума "Аз обичам България" (РЕПОРТАЖ) (gospodari.com)

78. БТА :: Пазарджик (bta.bg)

79.  Наш репортер беше гост на форума "Аз обичам България" (РЕПОРТАЖ) (gospodari.com)

80. Социален Ангел - PA media (pa-media.net)

81. Патрис Евра чете пазарджишка литература | pa1-media.bg

82. “Манчестър Юнайтед“ рекламира български писател безплатно (marica.bg)

83. Пазарджишки общественик бил заплашван, попаднал в списъка с ... (marica.bg)

84. Илиян Кузманов: Литературата е моят инструмент за промяна (focus-news.net)

85. Как Дяволът на Илиян Кузманов взе душата на Стивън Кинг - PA media (pa-media.net)

86. Илиян Кузманов е високо оценен в британска литературна класация - Култура (bnr.bg)

87. Илиян Кузманов е най-четеният автор според класация на TalkRadio - Свят | Vesti.bg

88. илиян кузманов - DUNAVMOST.com

89. Писателят Илиян Кузманов подари и втората си книга с пожелания за безплатни онлайн библиотеки | pa1-media.bg

90. Да победиш Стивън Кинг за Коледа в Англия: Българският писател Илиян Кузманов го направи - Гледна точка (glednatochka.com)

91. БТА :: Най-четената книга във Великобритания е на български автор според класация на Talk Radio (bta.bg)

92. Пазарджишки писател бие Стивън Кинг в класация на Острова (marica.bg)

93. СЪЮЗ НА БЪЛГАРСКИТЕ ЖУРНАЛИСТИ (sbj-bg.eu)

94. Наш писател изпревари Стивън Кинг и Гришам на Острова - Дебати (debati.bg)

95. Признание: Български автор задмина Стивън Кинг и Джон Гришам в английска класация - Свят - DarikNews.bg

96. Да задминеш Стивън Кинг и Гришам: Българин е най-четеният писател във Великобритания - BG VOICE (bg-voice.com)

97. Признание: Български автор задмина Стивън Кинг и Джон Гришам в английска класация - Общество - Новините - от България и света, бизнес, анализи, политика (novinite.bg)

98. дяволът Archives - Gospodari

99. Българският писател Илиян Кузманов отбелязва успех и с втория си роман | Момичетата от града (momichetata.com)

100. Писателят Илиян Кузманов взема на бараж Лондон : Черноморски фар - новини от Бургас и региона (faragency.bg)

101. Нов тласък на кампанията за Гошко от Долна баня | Вяра - Информационен всекидневник на Югозападна България (viaranews.com)

102. Илиян Кузманов бие Стивън Кинг в радиокласация на Острова : Вестник Знаме - новини Пазарджик и областта (zname.info)

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