Atanas Atanasov from the village of Yabalkovo, in Dimitrovgrad municipality, has turned 100. Relatives and neighbours came to a celebration for him at the Slavyanski Dom in the village.

He was born in Yabalkovo on 15 November 1926. He began as a teacher at Vasil Levski primary school and was its head from 1959 to 1986.

At the school he set up a folk dance group, a mandolin ensemble and a theatre troupe. While he ran it, the school became an educational centre and a place where cultural life grew. Its pupils from those years include four generals, two ministers and Todor Zhivkov's head of protocol, as well as engineers, professors, lawyers, teachers and doctors.

He has a daughter and a son, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. At the celebration, Atanasov recalled his years as a teacher and head.

He says people need peace and quiet most of all, and the respect they deserve from family and colleagues. He lives moderately, drinks alcohol only on occasion and takes one blood pressure pill.