A Volcanic Village

    A small mountain village is living out its days - the young people are leaving it, and the adults have lost hope for something better. Unexpectedly, its inhabitants learn that it is located on the crater of an extinct volcano. This is visible in a photo taken from space, which shows them a young scientist who arrived to study the crater.

At first, people are shocked:

"It is dangerous to live on a volcanic crater, even if it has been extinct for a long time. Nature is not so merciful that it does not rebel again..."

    But something in them changes: their village is not just anything, but volcanic... and it is as if they feel some force that comes from the depths of the earth and makes them think about their lives, prompts them to action...

    At first, they straighten their backs, then one after another roll up their sleeves. Houses, yards, gardens, streets... are revived, they take on a more attractive appearance.

    The village is no longer the same, and neither are the people - a new hope quickens their steps. They spread the word about the crater in nearby villages and soon curious guests begin to arrive, spreading the news about the volcanic village even further.

    Not long after, journalists arrive, the media also report the news. There are prospects for the village to become a tourist destination, to begin a new life.

Such is the power of fire, which lies in the depths of even extinct volcanoes...

Ана Величкова

Bulgaria. Kozhuh volcano in the Petrich-Sandan valley, extinct one million years ago. Declared a Natural Landmark in 1962.