the people

	Varvara Valtchanova (host) Varvara is Bulgarian, she grew up in Bulgaria and Algeria and has studied architecture in Grenoble (France), where she graduated in 2002. Afterwards she specialized in earth construction at the Research Center for Earthen Architecture (CRATerre) in Grenoble. Since moving to the Netherlands in 2005 Varvara has worked in a small architecture office specialized in ecological building in The Hague and is currently working in the field of advanced lightweight structures with Buitink Technology in Duiven.	www.zemnostroitelstvo.net
	Markus Laubscher (host) Markus grew up in Germany and spent the last 15 years living in Spain, France, Switzerland and The Netherlands. His educational background is physics with a PhD in applied optics. Markus has been working at Philips Research since 2005, where he developed the idea of automated microscopy for simplified diagnosis of infectious diseases into a clinically-tested prototype and a business proposition for further incubation and spin-out. He is passionate about turning ideas for sustainable business into reality by mobilizing support and bringing people with the right skills together.
	Ognian Chitakov (visiting teacher) Ognian is a Bulgarian sculptor living in nearby Asenovgrad. Sculpture is for him a way of thinking, a way of communication, a way of living and an outlook on life. Sculpture gives him the freedom to create and make his ideas visible. He loves sculpture because it is at the same time a form, space, function, architecture, design, engineering, technology and most of all it is arts – both fine and plastic arts. Among all materials used to shape sculptures his passion lies in stone. Stone is ancient and sacred, and it is part of his nature.	www.ognenchitak.com
	Rasho Mitev (visiting teacher) Rasho is a talented Bulgarian sculptor who lives and works in Smolian, the biggest city in the Rhodopean Mountains. He works with different materials like stone, wood, bronze and seeks inspiration in the surrounding nature. To be autonomous in stone carving, he learned how make his own tools as a blacksmith. Rasho loves working by hand and takes his time to crystallize his ideas. Besides, he is an excellent pedagogue who transmits his passion for the form to his audience with grace.	studiosculpture.org
	Mihail Kossev (visiting teacher) Mihail has been teaching and designing Permaculture since 2007. He received his undergraduate education from New York University where he studied film, fine art and pedagogy. After graduation, he has specialized in Environmental Education, working with a wide diversity of ages and ran an organic farm, putting permaculture principles into practice for local markets. Presently he is teaching workshops on the subjects Forest Gardening, Sustainable Food Systems, Seed-saving, Non-violent Communication and Soil Science. Mihail is currently developing a forest garden and nursery with the Balkan Ecology Project in Central Bulgaria.	mihailkossev.weebly.com www.balkEP.org www.permaship.org
	Mihaela Miteva (visiting teacher) Mihaela is a professional botanist, specialized in medicinal plants. She works as a specialist tourist guide leading groups in the Bulgarian mountains to discover the rich flora and fauna. She lives in Smolian, in the heart of the Rhodopa Mountain and will introduce you with passion to her favorite topic.
	Veska Koleva (visiting teacher) Veska is a professional woodcarver. Her gifted hands have beautifully decorated hundreds of small objects as well as big iconostases in Bulgaria and abroad. She is renowned nationally and internationally and often participates to handcrafts fairs and exhibitions.