Gifted Sofia

The new kid on the block is here to display the best of modern Bulgarian product design. Looking for a souvenir to take back home with you can be a nightmare anywhere in the world nowadays. Everything is usually made in the same place (Asia, mostly) and looks fairly similar. When it comes to souvenirs, Bulgaria has another problem - most of the products on offer have been here for generations. If you ask a Bulgarian about a typical souvenir it would most probably be something with roses or something handmade, usually wood. Or both (wooden rose oil souvenir vial). Don't get me wrong - I have given away plenty of those but we need something fresh.

I really believe (and hope) Gifted is here to change that. By doing so, the new 'urban culture hub' wants to give the stage to some of the most talented Bulgarian artists. And actually there's been quite a few of them recently. The owner himself is one of these talented young Bulgarians - an architect, born and raised in Sofia. He has created a cozy place where you can browse through a selection of books, comics, vinyls, shirts and small objects, or just grab a drink and enjoy the current exhibition. The latest one showed a Bulgarian "graffiti" alphabet, for example.

Two more things:

- there is a place to store your baggage while sightseeing - luggage lockers
- you can rent a bike from Gifted, or a half one if you feel adventurous