On October 15, we mark the White Cane Safety Day dedicated to the right for easy movement of blind people. It has been observed since 1969 following a decision of the International Federation of the Blind to raise awareness to the problems of the visually impaired.

The white cane is also adopted as a security mark in traffic laws of all countries in the world. It is recognized as a symbol of self-reliance for visually impaired people. In Bulgaria, October 15 is celebrated for the first time in 1980 with events organized by the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria. There are about 18,000 blind people in this country. Imagine having the rapping of the white cane on the ground be your only guide. You will move very difficult, especially if you live in a Bulgarian town where uneven sidewalks, missing tiles, rough flooring and various potholes are part of the everyday obstacles that blind people are struggling with. Their daily life involves a lot of challenges, but they have their ambitions and dreams and need our support and commitment for their implementation.

On a day like this we will tell you about a visionary artist - 26-year-old Stoyo Petkov from Plovdiv. In 2008, he completed a course in photography with Professor Nikola Lautliev from the Plovdiv Arts Academy. Stoyo is not just yet another young man with a camera. He is a passionate artist who believes in himself and his capabilities. His works can now be seen at the Museum Center for Contemporary History in Plovdiv where Stoyo displays his first solo exhibition "The Camera Lens, My Third Eye." We talk to the young photographer:

"I called the exhibition “The camera lens, my third eye" because I have 15% residual vision, which is highly visually impaired, and would like to show people that the different people can also be capable people. Through photography I see the world better. The camera has fascinated me since I was a child. Together with my family I have been touring various places in Bulgaria and taking shots of various objects. There are several sub-topics in the exhibition: architecture, portrait, landscape, theater, sports. I see the world as a beautiful and good place. Things are turning out good. My future projects are also associated with photography. I want it to be not only my hobby but also my profession. I am already preparing a second exhibition, but I have not yet chosen a motto. I strive to "capture" the moment on the camera and to provoke the viewer to search for messages, to discover things hidden behind the photographs. I want to build my own studio and to help other people who have a similar problem to mine, so that they can fulfill their dreams," says Stoyo Petkov.

English Rossitsa Petcova