Sofia, Sept 22 (BTA/GNA) – The National Literature Museum marked the 105th anniversary of Ivan Vazov’s death with a tribute and a memorial service at the poet’s grave in Sofia on Tuesday. Vazov is arguably the biggest name in Bulgaria’s literary history.
The director of the NLM, Atanas Kapralov, delivered a speech at the event. He described Independence Day as a major celebration for Bulgarians and recalled that on this very day, 105 years ago, Ivan Vazov’s heart stopped beating in the house that has now been turned into a museum and which visitors can explore free of charge throughout Tuesday.
Kapralov described Vazov as a pivotal figure not only in Bulgaria’s literary history but in the history of literature as a whole. Kapralov noted that Vazov wrote works in all the major literary genres – poetry, short stories, essays, travelogues, novellas, novels and plays.
The museum director added: “In every genre, he succeeded in creating works that serve as a model for future generations and which have been carried forward by contemporary Bulgarian poets and writers.” Kapralov said that Vazov was “a great Bulgarian, a profound patriot, who, through his creative work, his life and his attitude towards Bulgaria and the world, teaches us true patriotism”.
Among those present was the poet Dimitar Hristov, who described the place of remembrance as an altar to Bulgarian literature, where every Bulgarian should pay their respects not only on the day the great poet was laid to rest.
He commented on the issue of national pride and memory, and on the way in which Vazov is studied. “Why are there people who do not understand the language, are unfamiliar with Vazov’s work, remove his works from textbooks or reduce him to merely one of many Bulgarian authors?” asked Hristov, adding that such behaviour borders on sacrilege.
The commemorative event was also attended by the Deputy Culture Minister Plamen Slavov.
GNA/BTA