Abstract:

The development of science in Bulgaria both in the short and long term is related to the EU and its main policies and trends. This requires the mobilization and involvement of millions of European citizens in order to implement national programs, especially in areas such as education, health, social activities, protection of vulnerable social groups, mutual assistance in risky situations.

In 2020, in a competition session for "Fundamental Research Projects" of the National Science Fund (NSF) at the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) the project "Study of Attitudes to the Therapeutic Potential of Reading in Atypical Situations for the Individual" received funding. The relevance of the scientific problems of the project is determined by the need to find alternative forms to help the individual cope with atypical situations, as well as the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed social isolation. The object of the study is, on the one hand, the use of reading as a therapeutic tool for finding emotional and mental balance in critical and unnatural situations for the individual, and on the other hand, knowledge of the bibliotherapy in Bulgaria and understanding its capabilities and potential in service to society. The aim of the project is to explore the knowledge of the possibilities of the bibliotherapy and the degree of rationalization of reading as a therapeutic tool for maintaining emotional and mental balance in times of crisis.

The scientific interest in the problems and the possibilities of using bibliotherapy to deal with atypical situations is growing with each passing day, because in the last year the world has faced an unexpected crisis that has overturned the ideas and expectations of all mankind. The COVID-19 pandemic provoked changes in all areas; arguably the biggest change provoked by the measures was prolonged social exclusion. Many people have had to remain isolated from the world for a long time.

The main purpose of the report is to present an element of the work tasks of the research project "Study of Attitudes to the Therapeutic Potential of Reading in Atypical Situations for the Individual" (№ № КП-06-Н45/2 from 30.11.2020). The report reviews the publications on bibliotherapy issues published in Bulgaria which will contribute to building a real picture of the level at which work has been done so far on bibliotherapy issues and will support project activities involved in creating bibliographic resources, providing increased information provision and systematization of knowledge on bibliotherapy in Bulgaria.

Keywords:

Bibliography, bibliotherapy, reading, COVID-19, Bulgaria.