‘The Bearded’ is a collaboration project between Blood Becomes Water and Imaginary Archive by Tihomir Stoyanov. Through an extensive collection of donated and found photography, the book explores the image of Dyado Mraz (Grandfather Frost), who replaced Santa Claus during the communist rule in Bulgaria. The book captures Dyado Mraz’ school visits and the “exciting” moment of handing out gifts to children from the 1950s to his gradual disappearance after 1989. A brief accompanying text suggests the figure’s centuries-old roots, tracing the “good old man” from ancient mythology, writings and Christian charity up until the moment the regime seized the country.