Iliyan Kuzmanov

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 == 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.