How books and coffee connect people in Bulgaria
Evgenia Dineva, participant in Giraffe's Literary Contest '23, is awarded the honorary prize for poetry by Joana Mitkova, Nadezhda Dineva and Victor Makarov, last December. Photo Canva.com, Giraffe Foundation
Christian Life
In the bustling city of Sofia, Bulgaria, coffee shops are plentiful but bookstores increasingly rare. Therefore, “Giraffe” Café-Bookstore stands out, tells Vlady Raichinov.
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“Giraffe” is more than a coffee shop or a bookstore. It is a community hub where Christians from all backgrounds can connect, create and grow together. Founded by Nadezhda Dineva and Joana Mitkova, this fun project began with a bold vision and a profound sense of calling.
Nadezhda was inspired by her work at “Metanoia”, a Christian café-bookstore in Skopje, North Macedonia. She prayed more than two decades for an opportunity to start something similar in Sofia.
In 2021, she sensed a clear prompting from God when she saw a “for rent” sign near her home. She called her friend Marty Raichinov, who is now an integral part of the foundation and together, they began to shape a vision. Their plan was simple yet powerful: to host a warm, welcoming space for Christians from all denominations, where books, coffee and faith would naturally intersect.
“Giraffe is not a typical bookstore,” Nadezhda explains. “It’s the heart of a cause, not a business venture. We envision it as a cozy library where you come for coffee and meet a good friend over a good book.”
Books
For founders Nadezhda and Joana, books have a unique place in the life of every believer. In an era of social media and fleeting information, they believe books offer depth and reliability. “I mostly use audiobooks, but there’s something about encountering a complete, thoughtfully developed idea,” Nadezhda says. She cites Tim Keller as one of her favourite authors, finding his work enriching and thought-provoking.
Twice a year, Sofia transforms into a vibrant hub for book lovers during the “Book Alley” festival, where publishers from all over Bulgaria gather to showcase their latest works. The event spans the central boulevard of Vitosha and the park in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), drawing thousands of readers who come for a single book but often leave with a stack.
This initiative was the main reason behind Sofia’s announcement of its candidacy to become UNESCO’s World Book Capital – a testament to the city’s growing literary culture. The #CauseLiteracy initiative, a long-standing campaign promoting literacy, was also highlighted, reflecting a shared vision to raise national reading standards and enhance book culture in Bulgaria.
Thoughts and discoveries
Celebrated Bulgarian authors have been key highlights of “Book Alley”. Renowned novelist Georgi Gospodinov, whose novel “Time Shelter” won the Booker Prize, was warmly received by fans who gathered to hear him speak and sign copies. Zdravka Evtimova, another prominent Bulgarian writer, who was awarded earlier with the Mihai Eminescu Medal, captivated readers with her stories of resilience and life in Bulgaria, found in works like Thursday.
Events like “Book Alley” showcase the flourishing of Bulgarian literature, uniting authors, readers and publishers in a shared love for books and a vision for a more literate, connected society.
“Reading allows us to explore the thoughts and discoveries of others”, Nadezhda Dineva muses in an interview for Bulgarian newspaper Evangelski Vestnik. “As Christians, we can’t afford to limit ourselves to our small boxes. To be relevant in today’s world, we need to understand what’s happening around us.”
Community
Café-Bookstore “Giraffe” also serves as a venue for events, ranging from book launches and music recitals to special gatherings commemorating Women’s Day and Christian Family Day.
The team invites artists and often hosts events that bring together diverse groups within the community. A notable example was a recital inspired by the work of poetess Radosveta Avramova (known as “Caribiana”), which drew an audience of 70 people, including actors, musicians and artists.
From birthdays and corporate celebrations to seminars and prayer meetings, “Giraffe” offers a flexible space that can be adapted for various occasions. Live sound, themed decorations, social media promotion and even customised event posters are provided.
These gatherings foster connection and collaboration, which Nadezhda and Joana see as central to their mission. “Our vision is to break down barriers among Christians and to show God’s love to everyone”, Nadezhda shares. As a result, “Giraffe” has become more than a bookstore: it’s a growing community.
Emerging talent
One unique offering is the musical competition, “Giraffe Seeks Stars”, which has held live performances on their cozy “3x2” stage. Besides promoting talent, the contest has fostered connections between musicians, creating a network of vocalists and instrumentalists who now collaborate on projects.
Also, in 2023 and 2024, “Giraffe” launched two editions of a nationwide literary competition, an initiative spearheaded by Joana. With the help of troubadour poet Viktor Makarov, they developed an inclusive format that welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds.
The inaugural competition saw 220 participants from 70 towns and cities, with entries across three categories: essay, short story and poetry. Following the success of this event, a second competition in 2024 drew 350 participants from 125 locations, reinforcing “Giraffe’s” role in promoting creative talent in Bulgaria.
Nadezhda and Joana hope to publish a collection of the best entries, offering young writers a platform to share their voices. “We believe a contest like this can send a meaningful message”, says Nadezhda. “It celebrates creativity and gives Christian authors an outlet for expression.”
Social bonds
Recognising the importance of digital outreach, “Giraffe” maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The café and foundation each have separate websites, and “Giraffe” has reached over 600,000 people through its online profiles. The team’s designer, Nikoleta Katinova, is credited with streamlining a cohesive visual identity, including the café’s logo and overall branding.
Without an online presence, Nadezhda says, it would be impossible to sustain a bold project like this. For other small businesses and non-profits, she advises having both a clear vision and a creative person capable of visualising it. “Concept and design should go hand in hand”, she notes.
Connecting causes
In 2023, Nadezhda and Joana established the Giraffe Foundation, formalising their mission to foster connection, creativity and faith. The foundation’s work spans five main areas: fostering acceptance and empathy, promoting art and culture, encouraging Christian values, supporting personal and professional growth, and mobilising friends for worthy causes.
One of their most popular initiatives is the annual “Giraffe Run” – a short marathon designed to raise awareness for meaningful causes. The event, in which participants run from the National Palace of Culture to the bookstore, encourages people to get involved as volunteers, donors or advocates.
On November 9, “Giraffe” celebrated its anniversary with a marathon that embraced 18 ministry causes, including Young Life, IFES Bulgaria, Scripture Union, Mission Possible and Bulgaria Without Orphans.
Vision
Looking ahead to 2025, Nadezhda and Joana envision “Giraffe” as a cosy space where people keep coming back for community experience and personal inspiration. Plans include starting a photography club, continuing children’s events and publishing original materials.
“More than anything, we hope “Giraffe” becomes a recognised place where people feel at home”, Nadezhda shares. “A space where they can dream, contribute and grow – not only spiritually, but also professionally and creatively.”
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