I first saw IVO perform at an art space he ran in Sofia on a cold January night. Beyond his unique voice, I didn’t know people like him existed in Bulgaria - unabashedly gay, brilliant, and terribly provocative. My friends warned me, “Ivo’s a genius but don’t get involved with him, you’ll regret it.” I was compelled by his genius, and even more compelled by people’s judgment of him. A couple of months later, in March 2020, as I was packing my bags to hide from the pandemic, I saw Ivo doing the opposite - he felt oppressed by Zoom live events and didn’t want to be subjugated by a “viral situation,” so he went directly to people who needed him at that moment. This combination of freedom and kindness in the midst of a pandemic fascinated me. I traveled back to Bulgaria during lockdown just to meet Ivo. He let me inside his world, and I made a short film which premiered online in May 2020 with over one million views. Since then, I’ve followed Ivo for four years, ever deeper into his life and art. In a way, he healed me. I had another life as a successful filmmaker prior to becoming absorbed into my life as a wife and mother. Before I knew it, it had been years since I’d made a film. Seeing Ivo perform and move through life with such fearlessness broke through my own fears and liberated my creativity. Then I saw him do the same for every person he met - his voice, brave spirit, and the joy he brings people are reminiscent of an angel of relief amidst crisis.