Watch on BNTMemories of Vera Kochovska
Hristo Nanev speaks with Stoycho Kerev about the woman he knew. A discussion about Vera, recorded in 2022.
Кеворк Кеворкян · Архив „Всяка неделя“Bulgarian clairvoyants
You may know Vanga. Here you can also meet Vera Kochovska, Slava Sevryukova and Dyado Vlaycho through photographs, recorded conversations and accounts from people who knew them.
VangaPetrich and Rupite
Vera KochovskaIn the Vsyaka Nedelya archive
Slava SevryukovaThe “microscope woman”
Dyado VlaychoThe House of Goodness in KonyovoPhotographs and authors
- VangaФондация „Ванга“ · Виктор Гилтяй
- Vera KochovskaКеворк Кеворкян · Архив „Всяка неделя“
- Slava SevryukovaБългария Днес · Виктор Гилтяй
- Dyado VlaychoUnidentified author / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain
The faces behind the stories
Choose a name to find their story, photographs and sources.
Watch and listen
Rupite and Zlatolist with Bulgaria from End to End
BNT visits the places associated with Vanga and Stoyna and talks with local residents.
Bulgarian National Television · . Watch on YouTubeThe player connects to YouTube when you load it.
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Choose a person, follow their story
28 of 28 people
Historical clairvoyants
Family photographs, encounters on camera and memories from those who knew them.
Vanga
Her Petrich home, its visitors and her later years in Rupite. Family recollections survive alongside photographs and a documentary filmed during her lifetime.
Read the life storyWatchRupite and Zlatolist, Bulgaria from End to End, 23 December 2023More about Vanga
Phenomenon records encounters with visitors, showing how conversations unfolded. Popular lists of annual predictions need a separate source check for each statement.
- Vanga in the family photographic archive
- Phenomenon, 1976, 108 minutes
Description and stills from Nevena Tosheva’s documentary. This is a production record.
- Rupite and Zlatolist, Bulgaria from End to End, 23 December 2023
Published by BNT’s official channel. A travel report featuring places and local recollections.
Vera Kochovska
From an orphanage childhood to encounters in Pleven and appearances on television. Vera Kochovska’s life in photographs, recollections and music.
Read the life storyWatchThe Unfamiliar Vera Kochovska, BNT, 11 February 2022More about Vera Kochovska
She was born on 27 July 1945 in Pernik. Her father died early, and she entered an orphanage in Kocherinovo. Biographical accounts place a difficult childhood and a later injury before the emergence of the abilities attributed to her.
- The Unfamiliar Vera Kochovska, BNT, 11 February 2022
Hristo Nanev talks to Stoycho Kerev. This is a discussion about Kochovska, not an interview with her.
- Stills from Vsyaka Nedelya
- Teodosii Spassov on the album Faith, BNR, 23 April 2019
Slava Sevryukova
Why was Slava Sevryukova called “the microscope woman”? Her life in Sofia, an encounter with Vanga and the people who recorded her accounts.
Read the life storyReadHristo Nanev on his books about Slava, BNR, 9 April 2010More about Slava Sevryukova
For the recorded encounters, start with Lozenski’s diaries. For a biographer’s narrative, look at Hristo Nanev’s books. By 2010, BNR was already introducing him as the author of four books about Sevryukova.
- Hristo Nanev on his books about Slava, BNR, 9 April 2010
An archive article about the radio programme. The reviewed page has no accessible audio player.
- Our Diaries with Slava Sevryukova
Publisher’s listing of Ivo Lozenski’s book. The full text is not provided here.
- Viktor Giltyay’s photograph and Hristo Nanev’s account
Prepodobna Stoyna
The blind girl from Haznatar who made a church her home. Prepodobna Stoyna’s life, her room in Zlatolist and the memories she left.
Read the life storyWatchVisiting Zlatolist with BNT, 23 December 2023More about Prepodobna Stoyna
Prepodobna is the name by which she is remembered, not evidence of official canonisation. Her familiar likeness is a painted portrait; a lifetime photograph has not been verified in the reviewed sources.
- Visiting Zlatolist with BNT, 23 December 2023
The programme also visits Rupite. Stories about Stoyna are told by people preserving her memory.
- Stoyna Prepodobna, a 1998 documentary
Archive description of Svetla Fingova’s film. This is not a link to the full film.
- St George’s Day at the church, BNT, 6 May 2021
Dyado Vlaycho
The clairvoyant from Konyovo who refused payment. Dyado Vlaycho’s life, accounts of the camps and the belongings preserved in the House of Goodness.
Read the life storyPhotographsObjects and room at the House of Goodness, BTA, 5 July 2024The account about Georgi Dimitrov’s deathMore about Dyado Vlaycho
Accounts of Vlaycho include predictions about wars, political events and his visitors’ lives. A particularly well-known story says that he foresaw Georgi Dimitrov’s death. The municipal account links this prediction to his internment in a labour camp.
- Objects and room at the House of Goodness, BTA, 5 July 2024
Velina Vasileva’s gallery of objects at the Konyovo memorial.
- House of Goodness, Nova Zagora Municipality
Bona Velinova
The woman from Grigorevo remembered in the histories of dozens of churches. Bona Velinova, her family life and the monasteries around Sofia.
Read the life storyReadSts Joachim and Anne Monastery in Bistritsa, BNRThe vision about Bistritsa MonasteryMore about Bona Velinova
An account in Sofiyski Vestnik places Bona’s birth in Novoseltsi, now Elin Pelin. She moved to Grigorevo after marrying in 1903. Her husband died in the Balkan War, leaving her with four children after two had already died.
- Sts Joachim and Anne Monastery in Bistritsa, BNR
Ethnologist Valentina Dineva-Sharlanova discusses local tradition and the monastery’s restoration.
- Obradovtsi Monastery of St Menas, BNR
- Bona’s portrait at See Bulgaria
Korteza of Sliven
Korteza of Sliven in an old photograph and early twentieth-century recollections. Her journey to Momchilovtsi, Dr Mirkovich and encounters in Aytos.
Read the life storyPhotographsThe group photograph featuring KortezaHow Korteza came to MomchilovtsiMore about Korteza of Sliven
References name her as Korteza Stefanova or Konstantina Stefanova. Information about her birth year and family life is scarce. Sliven is the city consistently associated with her.
- The group photograph featuring Korteza
- St George’s Day and the holy spring in Momchilovtsi, 6 May 2015
Local report recounting Korteza’s visit, with photographs of the celebration.
Lyubomir Lulchev
An officer who entered Tsar Boris III’s inner circle. He knew Peter Deunov, wrote novels and kept diaries that still attract readers.
Listen on BNRHristo Nanev on Lulchev, BNR, 7 June 2017More about Lyubomir Lulchev
How did a military officer become a confidant of the tsar? Hristo Nanev follows that story in Prophet of the Crown. The other recording explores the novel New People and family memories. Accounts of his predictions come from biographers and witnesses; the exact words need to be traced to their records.
Aleksandar Krastnikov
Founder of a society for psychic research and spirit knowledge. His books and followers reveal a less familiar chapter of twentieth-century Bulgarian occultism.
ReadGalina Goncharova’s studyMore about Aleksandar Krastnikov
Galina Goncharova examines how Krastnikov fashioned his public identity as a clairvoyant between the wars. Zhorzheta Nazarska studies the society itself. These studies help distinguish his views from later legends.
The places in their stories
Zlatolist and Prepodobna Stoyna
Pleven and Vera Kochovska
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Obradovtsi Monastery and Bona Velinova
Inside the church in Zlatolist
Contemporary figures
From the early seasons of Psychic Challenge to television interviews. See who is speaking and hear their words in context.
Mariana Vezneva
An architect and author of The Secret School. Vezneva searched for hidden messages in crop circles and Glagolitic letters, drawing the patterns and explaining her interpretations.
Listen on BNRInterview with Mariana Vezneva, BNR, 22 May 2020Glagolitic letters as a predictionMore about Mariana Vezneva
In a 2020 Radio Vidin interview, she interprets Glagolitic letters as successive centuries of Bulgarian history. This is her interpretation of the alphabet. The recording lets listeners hear her explanation in context.
Bozhidar Karadzhov
A self-described clairvoyant from Varna, known for television appearances. In a 2021 discussion with Reni Anastasova, they debated the question on many people’s minds: when would the pandemic end?
WatchDiscussion with Reni Anastasova, bTV, 17 March 2021More about Bozhidar Karadzhov
On 17 March 2021, Karadzhov and Reni Anastasova debate the pandemic’s end and whether people can prepare for the future. The discussion appears in the Let’s Get to the Point segment. bTV provides the video and a short description.
Reni Anastasova
The presenter of Eurocom’s Psychological Portrait. She discussed family, relationships and personal difficulties with callers, and made predictions as a guest on other television programmes.
WatchTelevision discussion, bTV, 17 March 2021More about Reni Anastasova
Much of her television work involved people calling the programme. The bTV recording shows a different format: a joint discussion with Bozhidar Karadzhov in March 2021. In April 2026, Tribune.bg reported her death, citing Eurocom.
Teodora Stefanova
A Bulgarian public figure associated with Italy and television appearances. On Bulgarian television she discusses elections, public events and sport.
WatchThe forecast on Wake Up, NOVA, 20 August 2022The 2022 election: forecast and resultMore about Teodora Stefanova
On 20 August 2022 she forecast six parties in the next parliament and possible entry for ITN on NOVA. The Electoral Commission records seven formations winning seats; ITN received 3.83%. This example has both a statement preceding the event and a result for comparison.
Nikoleta Yordanova
A potter from Cherven Bryag who became known through the first season of Psychic Challenge. bTV later introduced her as a contestant on Africa: The Stars Must Be Crazy.
PhotographsBiography and photograph, bTV, 15 September 2013More about Nikoleta Yordanova
Before television came clay and working with her hands. Nikoleta studied at the stoneworking school in Kunino and worked as a potter. She reached the Psychic Challenge final in 2008, then joined a very different challenge in 2013: Africa: The Stars Must Be Crazy.
Ivelina Hristova
The Plovdiv contestant who won bTV’s first season of Psychic Challenge in 2008. Her story is part of the format’s arrival in Bulgaria.
ReadThe first season and its winner, bTVMore about Ivelina Hristova
The first season aired in spring 2008 with ten contestants. Vera Stoimenova and Nikoleta Yordanova reached the final alongside Hristova. The broadcaster publishes the format’s history.
Vera Stoimenova
Ten contestants took part in the first season of Psychic Challenge. Vera Stoimenova reached the final alongside Ivelina Hristova and Nikoleta Yordanova.
ReadPsychic Challenge finalists, bTVMore about Vera Stoimenova
Viewers came to know her in spring 2008. This portrait comes from the contestant profiles, while bTV’s programme history describes the season and its final. Vera Stoimenova and Vera Kochovska are two different women.
Mariyana Nikolaeva
From Varna’s central post office to the Psychic Challenge final. Mariyana Nikolaeva won the second season in 2009 and appeared on This Morning after her victory.
WatchMariyana after winning, This Morning, 15 June 2009More about Mariyana Nikolaeva
Nikolaeva describes her post-office job in her own biography. Eight people took part in the second season. The 15 June 2009 recording shows her in the studio after winning. The television result concerns the challenges in that particular season.
Folk healers
Petar Dimkov and Ivan Raev have different places in Bulgarian healing history. Museums preserve their photographs, books and belongings.
Petar Dimkov
The officer generations of Bulgarians came to call the Healer. Petar Dimkov collected folk knowledge, wrote books and left an archive that also reveals the person behind the remedies.
WatchRemembering Petar Dimkov, BNTMore about Petar Dimkov
Sofia’s Regional History Museum outlines his background and work. BNT also considers his legacy in Varna. His books belong to the history of folk healing; no treatment regimens are drawn from them here.
Ivan Raev
The folk healer associated with Cura Bulgara. The Museum of Medicine at the Medical University of Plovdiv presents his history in a dedicated exhibition.
PhotographsThe Forgotten Medicine exhibition, Plovdiv MunicipalityMore about Ivan Raev
Ivan Raev lived from 1876 to 1938. His use of belladonna for parkinsonism is a subject in medical history. The exhibition explores that episode through museum materials. Belladonna is poisonous; no home-use recipes are provided here.
Spiritual teachers
Lectures, music, books and communities. Three lives whose influence extends beyond Bulgaria.
Peter Deunov
Known as Peter Deunov, and to his followers as the Teacher. The White Brotherhood gathered around his lectures and music; photographs show him among followers and outside his tent in Rila.
Listen on BNRRadio Encyclopedia on the teaching, BNR, 1 July 2015More about Peter Deunov
The Spiritual Heritage of the Teacher exhibition at the National Library presents documents from after his return from America and before his settlement in Sofia. BNR’s Radio Encyclopedia follows the teaching abroad, including Mihail Ivanov’s community in France.
Vaklush Tolev
A theologian and author who developed the Path of Wisdom teaching. Director Nikolay Vasilev filmed him over many years, assembling an archive for the documentary Vaklush.
Listen on BNRNikolay Vasilev on Vaklush, BNR, 17 March 2023More about Vaklush Tolev
The documentary includes material filmed between 1994 and 2022. The director’s interview discusses its selection. A separate Hidden History programme explores Tolev and his books through people from his circle.
Mihail Ivanov (Omraam)
Behind the name Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov is Mihail Ivanov, a pupil of Peter Deunov. His life took him to France, where his lectures brought together a community at Bonfin.
Listen on BNRBNR on the teaching abroad, 1 July 2015More about Mihail Ivanov (Omraam)
If you know Deunov, Ivanov’s story takes the narrative beyond Bulgaria. BNR traces the teaching’s spread and the development of its French community. Omraam is the name found on his books and recordings; he was born Mihail Ivanov.
Saints venerated in Bulgaria
Hermits and clergy venerated in Bulgaria. Their Lives belong to Orthodox tradition, as do the miracle accounts they preserve.
St John of Rila
The hermit associated with the beginnings of Rila Monastery. His Life recounts solitude, encounters with visitors and veneration after his death.
ReadThe Life, Bulgarian PatriarchateMore about St John of Rila
Miracle accounts form part of his church Life. The history of his relics and the monastery also matters. Medieval representations are icons and frescoes; lifetime photographs do not exist.
St Petka of Tarnovo
Venerated in Bulgaria and other Orthodox countries. The name “of Tarnovo” preserves the connection with her relics’ stay in the medieval Bulgarian capital.
ReadLife of St Petka, Bulgarian PatriarchateMore about St Petka of Tarnovo
Her Life traces Paraskeva of Epivates and her veneration. Miracles and visions belong to Orthodox tradition. Her likenesses are iconographic.
St Dimitry of Basarbovo
The saint whose name is borne by the rock monastery near Basarbovo. He is also venerated in Romania, where his relics are kept.
ReadThe Life, Bulgarian PatriarchateMore about St Dimitry of Basarbovo
His Life connects Dimitry with Basarbovo and the rocky banks of the Rusenski Lom. Accounts of the discovery and transfer of his relics explain his veneration on both sides of the Danube.
St Seraphim of Sofia
Archbishop Seraphim Sobolev, venerated in Bulgaria as the Wonderworker of Sofia. His memory is associated with Sofia’s Russian Church.
PhotographsThe canonisation message, Bulgarian PatriarchateMore about St Seraphim of Sofia
His 2016 canonisation is documented in an official patriarchal and synodal message. His life and ministry connect him with Bulgaria without changing his Russian origin.
St Joachim of Osogovo
A hermit of the Osogovo Mountains. His Life and the monastery bearing his name preserve his memory within the region’s shared Orthodox tradition.
ReadThe Life, Bulgarian PatriarchateMore about St Joachim of Osogovo
His Life is included in the Patriarchate’s Bulgarian Saints section. St Joachim of Osogovo Monastery is in present-day North Macedonia, where worship and pilgrimage preserve the hermit’s memory.
St Gabriel of Lesnovo
A hermit associated with Lesnovo Monastery. His veneration belongs to Balkan monastic history and is preserved in Bulgarian collections of saints’ lives.
ReadThe Life, Bulgarian PatriarchateMore about St Gabriel of Lesnovo
According to his Life, Gabriel built a church of St Michael and gathered a monastic community before retreating into solitude. The monastery later took his name and became a centre of manuscript culture. It is in present-day North Macedonia.
Predictions and accounts with traceable sources
Dyado Vlaycho and Georgi Dimitrov’s death
The municipal account of the House of Goodness says Dyado Vlaycho foretold Georgi Dimitrov’s death and connects this with his imprisonment in a camp.
- Where and when it was recorded
- A later municipal account. It does not reproduce a record of the words made before the event.
- What can be established
- The story belongs to local memory. Without a dated original document, the precise wording and time of the statement cannot be established.
Bona Velinova and the monastery in Bistritsa
In the tradition recounted by ethnologist Valentina Dineva-Sharlanova, Bona identifies a site after a vision in 1925. The story concerns the restoration of Sts Joachim and Anne Monastery.
- Where and when it was recorded
- A BNR article dated 27 June 2013 recounting an older local tradition.
- What can be established
- This is an account of a vision and a place, not a forecast of a future political event. The monastery’s consecration and the vision story are distinct parts of its history.
Korteza and the holy spring in Momchilovtsi
A local St George’s Day report recounts Korteza’s visit and her identification of water near the village. The story survives alongside veneration of the holy spring.
- Where and when it was recorded
- A report dated 6 May 2015 about an earlier event.
- What can be established
- The report documents local tradition and the celebration. It does not provide a record contemporary with the visit establishing exactly how the water was found.
Mariana Vezneva on Glagolitic letters and the future
In a Radio Vidin interview, Vezneva connects Glagolitic letters with centuries of Bulgarian history and discusses the period from 1981 to 2080.
- Where and when it was recorded
- Published on 22 May 2020; the page also contains a radio recording.
- What can be established
- This is her symbolic interpretation. It does not identify one specific future event with a testable deadline and cannot be given a blanket “fulfilled” verdict.
Teodora Stefanova on the October 2022 election
On Wake Up she forecasts six parties in parliament after 2 October and suggests ITN may enter at the last moment.
- Where and when it was recorded
- NOVA, 20 August 2022, before the 2 October election.
- What can be established
- These two expectations do not match the outcome. The Electoral Commission lists seven formations winning seats; ITN received 3.83% and no seats. This comparison concerns only these specific statements.
When was a prediction recorded?
A dated interview can show that a statement preceded an event. A later recollection shows what its teller remembers. Both can be interesting, but they answer different questions. For each specific account we look for who recorded it, when it appeared and what can be checked against it.
Church Lives preserve religious tradition and accounts of miracles. Folk-healing books belong to cultural and medical history. Neither category is treated here as a list of political forecasts or practical treatment instructions.
The Bulgarian Patriarchate’s directory of saints