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"In a glass cage" - a Bulgarian ultramarathoner with a unique social experiment

15 Days, One Man, I'm Locked with Time…

Photo: BTA

For the 10th day now, the world-famous ultramarathoner Krasimir Georgiev has been living in self-isolation in a glass cage in the centre of Sofia. It is a symbol of the digital cage in which the modern man places himself, becoming subject to social networks. The unique social experiment aims to investigate the changes that isolation causes in modern man on a psychological and physical level. 
And as with many of the challenges that the Bulgarian marathoner sets before himself, this time there is also a charitable goal - collecting funds for "Prevention of Addictions". The project aims to implement early prevention in the 11-14 and 14-18 age groups, which are most vulnerable to addictions.

"This time we are raising money for people who are exceptional - we are dealing with the prevention of all kinds of addictions, starting with digital ones. You know, digital addictions in the youngest people, but not only in them - everyone is addicted to some social network, and from there they develop into gambling, drug addictions, etc. I've been through some pretty rough stuff and I know what it's like to be addicted to something. And that's why this time I decided that this is a cause worth paying attention to," said Krasi Georgiev in a television interview before entering the glass cage where he has been living for more than a week.


The Essence of the “The Glass Cage” social experiment

Within 15 days, Krasimir Georgiev placed himself voluntarily in complete social isolation, but at the same time he is in front of the eyes of the whole society. Three of the walls of the container equipped only with a treadmill and a mattress are completely transparent. A small area of it intended for physical necessities remains closed. The construction is at a height of two and a half metres from the ground and is placed in one of the liveliest places in Sofia - in front of the National Palace of Culture. 

Alone with himself and time in the centre of the capital, Krasimir Georgiev sees everything happening around him, but is unable to make verbal contact with anyone. Only once a day, for half an hour, he comes into contact with the audience for a session of questions, answers and putting additional challenges to him. He even celebrated his birthday in the cage, with dozens of Sofia residents congratulating him with banners, balloons and encouraging messages on social networks.

A team of leading specialists closely monitors the physical and mental state of the ultramarathon runner, and will subsequently analyze the data before, during and after the isolation.


At this stage, Krasi's blood tests indicate that he is under a lot of stress, but the psychologists monitoring him believe that the discomfort in his condition is only temporary.

"This is the cause we are striving for - to attract attention, to raise funds for prevention against addictions", said Albena Nenkova from the marathoner's team, to BNR’s Radio Sofia.

Krasi Georgiev embarked on the challenge without prior expectations, and with the words: "I don't like being locked up, but I hope my head will endure this.”


"A person must challenge himself because life is a moment that passes us by and if we don't do interesting things that we like, why are we living then? You know, I do everything for charity, and if I can help someone with what I do, why not" , Krasi Georgiev believes.

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Photos: BTA

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova



Translated and published by Rositsa Petkova



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