Project

_____

Magic Mountain

_____

A design for life & the future

A place of research for sustainability and reconnection to the earth

Zhidevitsa, B

ulgaria

Zhidevitsa__________________________________________________
After a long, intense and adventurous quest, we finally found the place where our vision can become reality: To develop a
base where we and others can life a self-directed life of freedom, a place where we can learn again what really matters,
where life should be a constant education, a constant expansion of living knowledge, a place where we will be part of the
solution, and not of the problem.
We are located in Bulgaria, the land where Asia and Europe merge, the so-called and actual Garden Eden of the East.
Here, nature is still mostly unspoilt. There is much space for wilderness, pristine and healthy plants and wildlife.
We found the place that fascinated us so much in the mountain range of the Stara Planina in central Bulgaria the Old
Mountains. It is called Zhidevitsa, an old hamlet in an altitude of about 900 mts, located between the
small towns of Teteven and Etropole. Zhidevitsa itself is part of the village Brusen (5 kms away) - but
not located on any map. It lies sheltered on a southern slope and is surrounded by wide, open
plateaus and thick, native forest. There are various springs in the vicinity bubbling with fresh
mountain water, as well as various small brooks.
The property itself contains 25.000m of land,
including two well maintained old houses, a
barn and other outbuildings. We were taken by
the incredible diversity of the landscape there.
On a relatively small scale there are open
pastures, mixed forest, loads of fruit trees,
water courses and buildings almost always
with an open view to the beauty of the Stara
Planina chain.
The
neighbouring
properties
are
partly
community owned but also useable for us,
partly they can be acquired for little money
later on (when our project grows). There's a
whole variety of possibilities.

Our plans____________________________________________________
We want to design our project according to the principles of permaculture, a concept that aims at creating perpetually
functioning, sustainable cycles in cooperation with nature. Ecological, economical and social aspects are all integrated into
these designs, and the main aspect is to use existing resources (in any sense) wisely and integratively. Permaculturally
designed habitats combine the cohabitation of people, animals and plants in such a way that all needs are met. A system
like that can work for an indefinite time.
Bill Mollison, one of the pioneers of this idea,
describes permaculture like that:
Permaculture seeks the Garden of Eden & why
not? The overall aim of permaculture design is to
produce an efficient low-maintenance productive
integration of plants, animals, structures & man;
with the ultimate result of on-site stability & food
self-sufficiency in the smallest practical area.
The aim is also to plan for craft or other products
on larger areas, that yield a trade or commercial
potential for clients, again as diverse products
resources. The design should aim for a total,
secure, long-term integration of all elements;
stability
&
diversity
are
the
keynotes.
Conservation of soil, water, & energy are central
issues.
The system combines rational landscape design,
organic gardening methods, & alternative energy
systems into a unified design encompassing
many trades, skills & disciplines.

The following aspects are individually described for the purpose of overview. Bear in mind as our ideas relate to
permaculture - that they influence each other and should not be looked at as isolated from each other or static.

Self-sufficiency...
Our goal is to reach self-sufficiency in the areas of water, food, energy and living space, while being an integral part of a
connected network of like-minded people and projects.

Water

lake / water landscape (storage, micro-climate)

grey water usage (circular water usage)
use of the Sunpulse water pump (Sunvention)
compost toilets (without water)

Food

gardens (according to permaculture principles); forest garden

use of the existing landscape (various fruit trees, herbs, mushrooms, nuts...)
use of local ressources (milk, dairy prodcuts, honey from the locals)
processing (canning, drying, etc.)

Energy
solar energy and warm-water production (cooperation with Sunvention)
wind (wind turbine)
water (use the slope and existing small streams for energy production)

Living Space
use of local materials (adobe, stones, wood) to extend the existing buildings und for building new ones (workshop,
atelier)
collaboration with the locals (carpenters, tools, material)

The art of living together...

How can we overcome the rigid patterns and resulting unaware behaviour that society has inflicted on us to keep us in
check and stay under control? How can we meet in the fullness of our individual being while exploring our inherent
connection to everything and each other ever more deeply without becoming prey of an ideology or agenda?
Our place should be one where we can rediscover our original connection and freedom without huge a priori statements. All
our efforts should be part of a path in this direction. The most important thing thus is the ability to open yourself anew again
and again for the unprepared and many times difficult wonder that is life, to leave prejudices and used-up attitudes behind
and get into direct contact with your source, your friends, the earth again. All common activities, but particularly talkingstick circles and shamanic earth ceremonies (sweatlodges, dances, which are planned for the future) will help us with that.
What's more and very important is that everybody here will have the freedom to follow their individual paths, as long as
they don't try to impose it on anyone. We want a place where spiritedness and possibilities count most!

Artistic Lifestyle...
Our place should develop into an open, creative space for directly lived art the art of life. This is expressed in all areas of
the project, for example in planning and designing the landscape. To develop new ideas yourself, to work on individual
solutions is a creative act in itself.
Furthermore, there should be enough time for personal artistic unfolding in areas as diverse as painting, music, dance,
literature and craftmanship. Future plans include a music-eco-festival (several are already taking place in Bulgaria each
year), a library, craft workshops, a nature playground, poetry readings, various forms of land-art, sweatlodges et cetera
all to turn the project into a vibrant center of exchange.
We also plan special workshops for children and teenagers, for example wilderness experiences, work with natural materials,
getting to know the local flora and fauna to the point of production of for instance ointments made from local and selfcollected herbs.

Interconnectedness...

with already existing projects in Bulgaria (Permaship, Trinoga, Greenschool, etc.)

on an international level (Ecovillage Network; Woof, Volunteering)
on a local level (neighbourhood, schools, farmers, craftsmen)

We want to be in constant contact and exchange with other projects and initiatives, to learn from each other and together
in all areas. During our travels in Bulgaria we already met some of these projects and people and participated in various
workshops.
Furthermore we want to organise workshops for all areas mentioned in this paper, for example participation in building a
lake, et cetera, so that those who take place can expand their knowledge and give their own experiences and knowledge to
us at the same time.

Financing...
Generally, as already stated, the costs for developing the project should be as small as possible. It is important for us to
reach economic self-sufficiency, to achieve this, we see several means of income:

Eco-tourism
experience the natural treasures of Bulgaria
accomodation, meals
workshops

Workshops
also with guest teachers
accomodation, meals, donations

Sale of homemade biological products

natural cosmetics (in particular through the already existing company of our partner)
gastronomic specialties (dried fruit, chutneys, et cetera)
installation of a small shop and sale on touristic places

Testfield for developing the solar technologies of Sunvention

installation, advancement, workshops

cooperation as part of the existing worldwide network
self-sufficiency in the areas water and energy supply
future possibility of licensing production for the eastern european market, licence fees generate income

Internet
website including donation button, crowdfunding for specific projects

Grant applications

We ask for your support_______________________________

You are not investing in an anonymous, abstract idea, neither in a relief project of some big NGO. You can directly witness
the creation of a dream coming to life.
We would like you to pay us a visit once we're ready, welcome to a free place of possibilities! You can now directly support
us and thus be part of a new beginning, you can contribute and make a change. Solutions are direly needed, so that this
earth can turn into a liveable and humane place again.
We will not wait and complain any longer, we will
not only fight a tiring battle against an
unreformable system. We begin now to help create
a future worth living locally, decentralised and in
close contact to others and the earth, well
connected in a network of like-minded people.
Like this we want to become part of a global
network that is already unfolding without huge
media coverage and thus easily overlooked, which
is growing and is getting more stable and diverse
all the time. We can give the solutions we work
out here back into the world, as they are very
much needed now.
So that we don't have to admit at the end of our
lives: Yes, we should have changed something,
but we were too afraid and confused to still listen
to the call of our hearts...
Thank you,
Felix, Katja and Joanna.