With the longest and most successful implementation is the annual competition "My hometown". Its first edition was in 2000 and has since become a favorite and recognizable for the participants from the city and the region.
The contest under the title "My hometown" is realized on the eve of March 22 - the holiday of Veliko Tarnovo. The theme is announced at the beginning of each calendar year and is traditionally on a historical theme, related to the anniversary of a certain event or the birth of a significant person. The competition is for children and youth creativity in the fields of Literature and Fine Arts, and all students from I to XII grade from Veliko Tarnovo region are eligible to participate. Partner of the Regional Library "Petko R. Slaveykov" in the organization of the competition is the Regional Department of Education - Veliko Tarnovo. The aim of this initiative is to give an opportunity to young talents in the field of literature and fine arts. The finale of each edition of the contest "My hometown" is the award ceremony of the winning works. After the judging, which is carried out by appointed committees in the Literature and Fine Arts sections, a celebration is held with a rich cultural /musical and theatrical/ programme. The grand prize winners are announced in the presence of dignitaries and guests.
The works are judged in three age categories for the three stages of education: 7 to 10 years /I to IV class/, 11 to 14 years /V to VII class/ and 15 to 18 years /VIII to XII class/. Additional prizes are also awarded each year - for partnership, for collective participation, for the largest number of entries per class or school, for leaders, teachers, etc. The award ceremony itself takes place on the eve of the holiday of Veliko Tarnovo - 22 March. The works of all the awarded participants are arranged for an exhibition in the foyer of RB "Petko R. Slaveykov", where the festive awarding ceremony takes place. The event is traditionally attended by representatives of local media. After each edition of the competition, photos and videos, as well as press releases, are posted on the library's website, where all the awarded literary and artistic works are also published.
