Award The best travel photographer and storyteller in the current edition of the photo salon Fine Art Photographer Milan Hristev, AFIAP · Bulgaria

The partnership between Photo Salon Plovdiv and the Travel Tales Award event continues.
The winner chosen by TTA and announced above will participate in their contest in 2025. Two of the finalists (winner and runner up) in the current edition of TTA 2024 will participate in the 11th IPS Plovdiv and we have the pleasure to present them.

It was a Palm Sunday, the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. The most colorful day of the year. I had no idea how colorful my day would be! I walked slowly down the main street of Catania. I met a children’s march protesting the mafia in the city. Wildly different in age, origin, beautiful with their naive smiles, they looked like a live, colorful river. Up the street, a local musician, in the timbre of Toto Cutugno, was singing the song “GENERALE”.  I paused and listened to his pleasant voice along with several locals, as well sa a policeman on duty. A boy on a skateboard was gliding to the beat of the music, and behind him a red Alfa Romeo popped up. I thought, “God, this could not get anymore Italian than this!”.

Later I continued up the street. In front of me rose the incredibly beautiful Cathedral of Santa Agatha.  I wanted to enjoy the grace and proportions of this unique building! I sat down in the cafe opposite to prolong the pleasant feeling of enjoyment. My gaze hovered over the smiling faces, I listened to the singer’s voice, drank fragrant coffee and remembered the famous Italian phrase “Dolce far niente” (Sweetness of doing nothing) .  After awakening from my bliss, I turned my eyes to the fish market, then got up and headed over there. The market was filled with stern looking men. I was worried thinking, how difficult it would be to photograph these serious, rugged men.

            And as if out of nowhere, a man appeared in the middle of the fish market, carrying a huge wall clock. He tried to sell it to everyone he met, creating cheerful turbulences in this flavorful place.  I used the brightening of the situation and started shooting with a huge smile on my face. Amazingly, the people around me reciprocated quickly.  Frowning fishermen suddenly turned into smiling and friendly people. I felt like a hero from Fellini’s movie!  It was a Palm Sunday, and I felt so Blessed!

Milan Hristev was born in Plovdiv.

He began take up and studiing photography as a schoolboy in 1975. Until the completion of his secondary education, he wins the 1st or 2nd place at the district and national competitions for the photography of TSCY (Technical and Scientific Creativity of Youth). After the barracks in 1985, he graduated from the Julius Fuchik Polygraphy and Photo Technical School. He has presented author collections in Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, USA, Switzerland, Hungary. Over the years, he has participated and awards in more than 60 Bulgarian and international general exhibitions.