A Sculptor's Journey: Valentin Starchev’s Legacy in Stone and Spirit Valentin Alexandrovitch Serov, born August 14, 1935, in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, embodies the enduring spirit of Bulgarian sculpture. His formative years were marked by a passion for athletics—specifically sprinting—fueled by his teacher Vasil Nikolov, who instilled in him not only physical prowess but also an appreciation for discipline and precision – qualities that would later translate into his artistic endeavors. From First Junior High School to Stara Zagora’s Ayazmoto Park fountain design, Starchev demonstrated early t…