In the world of comic books, origin stories inform the reader of the identity and motivations of heroes and villains (thankfully, we only have the former here). Like Spider-Man or Captain America, your origin story is important as it defines who you are today. Learn about the experiences, people, and influences that shaped Concord's Viktor Baychev by reading below!
I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the age of three, my family moved to Germany for the first time. We were in Berlin when the wall fell and later moved to Bamberg, Bavaria. After I graduated from 1st grade, we moved back to the Bulgarian seaside, then later returned to the capital, and so on, more often than not, until this day. I’ve moved between Bulgaria, Germany, and the Netherlands, and within cities in those countries, more times than it's worth listing. My strongest memories and experiences were made in Sofia and Berlin.
We’re not much for tradition, but I fondly remember our big family dinners from back in the day when my grandparents were still around. Christmas is one of the holidays that I still enjoy with my extended family whenever possible.
A bit obvious and mundane, but definitely my parents, especially my mother. They taught me everything that matters; everything else came as a result of that. I also really admire popular scientists, as they make the wonders of the universe accessible to regular people like me. Neil deGrasse Tyson was a great introduction to astrophysics for me, which I now love.
I have rarely been disappointed when traveling. I absolutely love Iceland, no matter how cold and inhospitable it might be. Vietnam is a blast, especially if you enjoy the food there. Locally, I have to go with Sicily, as it combines the sea, nature, and food, all three at the highest level.
Moving around a lot and having to adjust to new environments quickly. Also, I’ve lived on my own since I was 18, usually in a country away from family, so you kind of get used to the feeling, and it changes you a bit.
That’s almost as hard as naming a favorite book. There are so many styles; it's really difficult to name just one. I’ll go with three: the Balkan classic "Sarma," made with fermented cabbage leaves filled with a mix of minced meat, rice, vegetables, and herbs. Second, I have to say sushi, and last but not least, steak.
As it often happens, not by design, really. After high school, I actually did an undergraduate degree in psychology, but later got into online marketing and web design, eventually sliding into software development after my postgraduate studies in IT management.
Reading books, mainly sci-fi and fantasy. I also enjoy anything board-shaped and love the mountains, so I guess snowboarding and hiking are quite high on the list. Paddleboarding is up there too, along with surfing, though I do those less frequently.
I think when I got my bachelor’s degree, I just didn’t believe I would make it, but I somehow did. It was very fulfilling. Later, in my career, anytime I see people enjoying working with me, it really makes me feel accomplished.
Oh boy, how much time do I get? "Buy Bitcoin" would be a good one. I’d probably say something stupid like, "Enjoy your time with the people you love," but many people did try to tell me that, and it’s only later that you truly understand what they mean. Maybe something along the lines of, "Relax, everything will come in its own time; don’t rush, but don’t waste any." Still valid today.
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