The talk “The Alchemy of Knowledge: The Future Belongs to the Unruly” challenges the idea that children should be obedient. The speaker shares a personal story of growing up fearless and refusing to accept injustice, which shaped her into a determined leader. She emphasizes that teachers should inspire curiosity and courage rather than demand obedience, and that education should foster critical thinking, not conformity. Highlighting the importance of adapting to new technologies like AI and augmented reality, she advocates for innovation in teaching to engage today’s fast-thinking youth. Ultimately, she urges everyone to see knowledge not as mere information but as a passionate journey that empowers freedom, creativity, and change. Christiana Cheshmedzhieva is a digital marketing specialist and lecturer in information technologies at the Nikolay Katranov University, Sofia. She is a graduate of the University of Svishtov. She also works as a marketing expert at Burgas Municipality and is a PhD student in marketing at SA "D.A. Tsenov". He is the author of the first in Bulgaria manuals on artificial intelligence and augmented reality in education, specially designed for teachers. She has won a number of awards, including "Teacher of the Year 2024", WomenInTech 2023, Forbes "30 under 30" 2024 and Darik "40 under 40" 2024. She created the Teachers by Example and School Stories podcasts, as well as the innovative media literacy and digital entrepreneurship curriculum. He believes that true innovation starts with personal example. Christiana is an inspiring educator, speaker and digital visionary for whom true education happens where technology meets critical thinking and human presence. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The speaker shares a personal story about hitchhiking from an isolated place and draws a parallel between this experience and following your dreams. They emphasize that the goal isn’t a specific destination but the overall direction, often uncertain and without much baggage. Although the journey can seem scary and not everyone will support or understand your dreams, taking risks and trusting the right people along the way is essential. Chris Zahariev is a director, screenwriter and author whose work combines film, literature and social media. He is the creator of the documentary series and film "Getting Lost On Purpose", as well as some of the most watched music videos of the last few years by artists such as Molets, Dara, Graf and others. He is the winner of one of the most prestigious awards for a young artist in Bulgaria - "Flight in Art" by Stoyan Kambarev Foundation, as well as a nomination on the FORBES: 30 UNDER 30. At the end of last year, with the concert-performance of MOLEC - "The Last" , Chris became the youngest director who has staged in the largest stage in the country - ARENA SOFIA. He is currently focusing on his work as a director at his studio, TALK, and his debut feature film, THE LAST CHIN, believing that inspiring stories can change the world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this TED Talk, the speaker shares how mentorship and youth empowerment shaped his journey. He talks about founding an academy that supports young people and the challenges that came with it. Emphasizing the value of youth entrepreneurship, he also reflects on the importance of self-care after experiencing burnout that affected his health. The talk highlights how mentorship can inspire growth, balance, and lasting impact. Alexander Gramatikov is the founder and CEO of Mentor the Young - a three-month free mentoring program supporting young people in their entrepreneurial, career and personal growth. Over the past 3 and a half years, Alex and his team have organized 10 editions of the program for over 6,000 youth and mentors, over 90% of whom recommend it to friends. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

This TED Talk highlights how youth have the power—and responsibility—to shape their communities and influence policy. Through personal stories of organizing events and participating in EU forums, the speaker shows that courage and action can lead to real impact. Civic engagement isn’t just about voting; it’s about being informed, involved, and using your voice. Opportunities like Model UN, student councils, and youth parliaments empower young people to practice leadership and create change. You don’t need to be fearless or perfect—just willing to start. When youth step up, the world must listen. Student at the American College of Sofia This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

This TED Talk explores the often-overlooked issue of overthinking friendships. Aya shares how fear, past experiences, and social pressure lead to spiraling thoughts that harm our relationships and mental well-being. Overthinking creates problems that don’t exist and drains our energy. The solution? Self-awareness, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Instead of obsessing over what might go wrong, we should focus on living fully—because life is too short to spend it overthinking. Student at the American College of Sofia This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this honest and uplifting talk, high school student Maksym Turchenko shares how failure can become a powerful catalyst for growth. With personal stories and practical insights, he challenges the stigma around setbacks and shows how embracing failure builds resilience, creativity, and confidence—especially for youth navigating their own journeys. Maks empowers audiences to treat setbacks as fuel for growth. Through raw storytelling with a student perspective and actionable insights, he redefines failure—not as an ending, but as the foundation of resilience and innovation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx