Zilan Duman’s story is the second episode of E-volution Media Stories — a series about personal experiences, encounters, change, and the small moments that remain long after an international volunteering journey comes to an end.
Zilan comes from Mardin, Türkiye, and spent her long-term European Solidarity Corps volunteering project in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. Her project came to an end in late July 2026, but what she takes home with her goes far beyond photos and memories — new friendships, practical experience, encounters with different people, and a new perspective on Bulgaria, Türkiye, and life away from home.
During her time in Veliko Tarnovo, Zilan also became part of the E-volution Media team. Working with a camera and telling stories gradually became an important part of her volunteering experience. She produced videos and reports, conducted interviews, and met young people from Veliko Tarnovo, using their stories to show the city from different and very human perspectives.
In her own Story, Zilan is now on the other side of the camera.
She talks about herself, her hometown of Mardin and Türkiye, her first impressions of Bulgaria, and her everyday life in Veliko Tarnovo. She reflects on what she learned, what surprised her, and which experiences will stay with her after the end of the project.
Her story is not simply about spending several months volunteering in another country. It is also about how an unfamiliar place can gradually become familiar; how connections are created through work, creativity, and communication; and how intercultural exchange often begins with the simplest conversations between people.
Zilan’s work with E-volution Media also leaves a visible trace. Through her videos, interviews, and reports, she did more than document events — she created space for other young people to speak about their ideas, interests, and experiences.
Now, the camera turns towards her.
Zilan’s Story: From Mardin to Bulgaria looks back at her time in Veliko Tarnovo through the people she met, the work she created, and the personal experiences she will take back with her to Türkiye.
E-volution Media Stories is a series by E-volution Media and BRCK Association, sharing the voices and experiences of young people, volunteers, creators, and communities connected through solidarity, creativity, participation, and intercultural exchange.
The volunteering activity was supported by the European Solidarity Corps and the European Union.