For over 35 years, Colibri has been at the forefront of the publishing business in Bulgaria. Specializing in the production, distribution, and promotion of cultural products, the company enjoys a flawless reputation beyond Bulgaria’s borders as well. It participates in numerous international projects, maintains fruitful relations with partners from around the world, translates books from all languages and genres, and operates successfully in all segments of the publishing business. A passionate team of professionals stands behind achievements reached through dedication, consistency, and an enduring love for literature.

Our history

Founded shortly after the changes of 1989 by film critic and screenwriter Raymond Wagenstein and prominent translators Silvia Wagenstein, Rositsa Tasheva, and Zhechka Georgieva, today Colibri is among the largest and most prestigious Bulgarian publishing houses and holds leading positions in the book market. The Colibri catalog contains tens of thousands of printed books published over the years and more than 800 available electronic titles, including masterpieces of classical and modern literature and the highest achievements of contemporary prose. About 150 new titles are published each year, along with dozens of reprints and additional print runs. The publishing house has several retail outlets, is represented at two book exchanges, and boasts an impressive team of editors, layout designers, proofreaders, artists, and marketing specialists with top-tier expertise, experience, knowledge, and dedication. The publishing house not only follows or reflects leading international trends in publishing and distribution but also sets effective models for development, modernizes the publishing process, and promotes innovation in culture and education.

In 2013, Colibri created a catalog of e-books compatible with all platforms – computers, laptops, e-readers, tablets, or smartphones. The number of titles in the catalog is continuously growing, and currently, almost every new printed book also has an electronic version. In 2015, the publishing team launched “Cinelibri” (Cinelibri IFF) – the world’s first cinema-literary festival designed to select, promote, showcase, and distribute the most successful film adaptations of literary works. Having proven the vitality of its concept through a series of unforgettable editions, Cinelibri is now a significant player on the Bulgarian and international cultural scene, annually connecting audiences with emerging and established artists from all over the world. In 2018, Colibri launched the online media platform ArtAktsia, covering Bulgarian and global cultural events. Its objective approach, transparent procedures, fairness to all media participants, critical thinking, and rigorous fact-checking have built its popularity. Since 2019, Colibri has held a license to distribute audiobooks. Observations indicate a growing share of readers who prefer listening to books, regardless of genre. In 2019, the team created an elegant art space for cultural events in downtown Sofia called Casa Libri. In a very short time, this beautiful "house" of spirit became a recognizable and preferred venue for various types of events, including literary premieres, courses, training sessions, workshops, and discussions. Casa Libri also functions as a cinema hall and hosts over 100 cultural events annually.

In 2022, Colibri created the world’s first bookstore with implemented 360-degree virtual reality. Recreating the interior of a physical bookstore, the 3D visualization provides access to every product, real-time book selection, and an optimized purchasing process. The platform is integrated with the publisher’s website and offers a unique way to browse and buy books.