From Bulgaria to Granard – A Mother & Son Journey.
In this heartwarming episode of My Journey Home, Vanda Brady sits down with Vanya Dimitrova and her son Konstantin “Koko” Petrov, who moved from Bulgaria to Granard in 2014.
Koko delights with fun facts about Bulgarian culture — from yoghurt, rose oil, and the Cyrillic alphabet to name days and the lively Kukeri festival, where scary masks and ringing bells chase away evil spirits and welcome good fortune.
Koko also shares how he earned 2nd place in the United World Amateur Wrestling Championship, and how wrestling, a sport that runs in the family, supports his coordination, confidence, and self-defence — all while thriving at Sacred Heart Primary School.
Vanya reflects on her earlier days working at Sunny Beach, the challenges of adjusting to life in Granard, and how everything shifted when she found her place as a Quality Control specialist at Pat the Baker. She also shares memories of her vibrant hometown of Shumen, now contrasted with the quiet charm of Granard.
Tune in for a beautiful story of resilience, culture, and connection.
