Petra Christova
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Petra Christova | |
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| Born | April 26, 1998 Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bulgaria |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Education | St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo |
| Occupation | Writer, actress, astrologer |
| Known for | Landmark ECHR gender recognition case, trans rights activism, |
Notable work | Историята на едно обикновено момче... |
Petra Christova (born April 26, 1998, in Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian writer, actress, and public figure. She is known for her work in literature, media, and trans rights advocacy. Christova is also notable as the first trans woman from Bulgaria to win a legal case at the European Court of Human Rights.
Early life and education
Christova was born in Gorna Oryahovitsa. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts, a Master's in English Philology, and a professional qualification in Organizational Psychology, all from St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo.
In 2010, she completed a modeling course in Sofia, which she later described as a formative step in building confidence.In 2018, she studied acting in Istanbul, Turkey.
Literary career
Christova's debut book, Историята на едно обикновено момче, което се превърна в необикновено момиче (The Story of an Ordinary Boy Who Became an Extraordinary Girl), was published on 1 December 2022. The work combines poetry, autobiographical elements, and reflections on gender identity, trauma, and healing. It received attention in both mainstream and LGBTQ-focused media for its emotional depth and personal tone.
Media and film
Christova has received national attention in Bulgaria for her media appearances and advocacy. She was the subject of the 2024 Bulgarian National Television documentary Мога да бъда всичко (I Can Be Everything), which premiered on 1 March 2024. The film explores her journey as a transgender woman navigating legal, social, and personal transitions.
She has also appeared in televised interviews, including on bTV’s Тази сутрин (This Morning), where she spoke about the challenges of legal gender recognition in Bulgaria. Her visibility has been widely covered in both Bulgarian and Turkish outlets.
In 2018, Christova moved to Istanbul to study acting. While her primary focus has been on writing and advocacy, she is described in Bulgarian media as the country's first transgender actress. She has expressed a desire to pursue more formal acting roles and collaborate artistically with Turkish actor Ali Yağız Durmuş.
Legal advocacy
She became widely known following a landmark legal victory at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which ruled in her favor in a case concerning legal gender recognition. The ruling required Bulgaria to reform its administrative procedures for transgender people.[1][2]
Personal life
In May 2017, Christova converted to Islam while traveling in Tunisia, a decision she has described as spiritually transformative.
On January 11, 2022, she underwent gender-affirming surgery in Athens, Greece. She later shared her experience in Bulgarian media, speaking about the emotional challenges and support she received.[3]
Since 2021, she has also worked as a professional astrologer, offering consultations in Bulgarian, Turkish, and English. She is publicly active in LGBT advocacy, particularly on behalf of the transgender community.
References
External links
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