Ivan

Italian police have identified a man who carved the name "Ivan" in Latin letters on the wall of the Colosseum in Rome.

Today the Orthodox Church pays homage to St. John - The Baptist of the Son of God.

The Church also honors him as a Forerunner-prophet who prepares people for the coming of the Savior.

St. John's Day is accompanied by a rich ritual throughout the country, associated mainly with the young married.

Bulgarians with the name Ivan (and its derivatives) are celebrating St John the Baptist, or Ivanovden as it is locally known, on January 7.

Once again, this summer the Sofia Library will "open" summer reading rooms in Sofia's parks. The events are part of the Green Paths to the Library initiative - a campaign to encourage reading and attract a new reader audience to the cultural institution. This year there will be reading rooms in the parks in Druzhba 1, Mladost 3 and the City Garden.

The film "Aga" by director Milko Lazarov was selected in the main program of the 68th edition of the "Berlinale" cinema festival.

Aga is co-produced with the Bulgarian National Television and is the first Bulgarian film in the main official program of the Berlin Film Festival since 29 years after the film Ivan and Alexandra directed by Ivan Nichev.

The Orthodox Church honours St John the Baptist on January 7 - the last Old Testament prophet who baptised Jesus.

The celebration, also known as Ivanovden is one of the most popular and respected in Bulgaria.

Over 350,000 Bulgarians celebrate their name day on January 7.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours on October 19 Saint Ivan Rilski, honored as the patron of the Bulgarian people.

St Ivan Rilski was the first Bulgarian recluse. He was revered as a saint when he was still alive and the legend says wild animals were coming to him and birds were landing on his hands.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Friday, August 18, the assumption of Saint Ivan Rilski, honored as the patron of the Bulgarian people.

St. Ivan Rilski was the first Bulgarian recluse. He was revered as a saint when he was still alive and the legend says wild animals were coming to him and birds were landing on his hands.

Bulgarian students from the Sofia Mathematics High School returned with 12 medals, including one gold, after the team performed great at the International Mathematics Olympics in India, competing with students from 41 countries, reported NovaTV.

'The Idiot' by Elif Batuman (Penguin Press, 432 pages, $27)