Dinner with the Escapists Anonymous – This poem delves into various coping mechanisms, with a particular focus on escapism. The protagonist encounters archetypal representations of existentialists, absurdists, and nihilists, engaging in a satirical yet thought-provoking exploration of their perspectives. Unlike traditional satire, this piece avoids exaggerated hyperbole, emphasizing instead the realism of these viewpoints and their presence in everyday life. The central question remains: how do these encounters shape the individual, and what meaning can be derived from them?
The Abyss – Initially conceived as a comedic freestyle inspired by one of Nietzsche's most famous quotes, this poem evolved into a deeper exploration of the self. Now more aligned with Carl Jung’s theories, particularly the concept of archetypes, it presents an encounter with the Shadow Archetype. Through this introspective dialogue, the poem examines the influence of one's own shadow and the complexities of self-awareness.
The project is part of the subtheme Re-imagining identity through poetry.
Author
Pavel Stefanov
Pavel Stefanov is a 17-year-old student from Bulgaria with a strong passion for linguistics and English philology. A multiple national and international award winner in English competitions and olympiads, including the KGL, he has always felt a natural connection to language. Though not an avid reader in his early years, his perspective shifted after a screenwriting task at his acting school sparked a love for writing. Since then, he has won the Literary Delights Contest, hosted by the Bulgarian Creative Writing Competition (BCWC), and continues to explore the art of storytelling.
