160 since the birth of Ivan Vazov In 1896 Ivan Vazov was awarded for major contribution in science and arts. 160 since the birth of Ivan Vazov

The first Bulgarian novel Childhood and youth Family Berkovitsa period Plovdiv period Russian period Sofia period The first Bulgarian novel The house of Vazov

his mother Suba his brother Vladimir his father Mincho

Ivan Vazov was born in Sopot,27 June 1850, graduated from the local school. Then started studying in Kalofer, where the father of Hristo Botev was a teacher. There Vazov studied Greek, French and Russian. In 1868 his father wanted him to take over the family business-trade but Vazov preferred literature.

In 1870 Vazov was sent to Otentia, Romania to become his uncle’s apprentice in trade but Vazov learnt Romanian and wrote patriotic poems instead. Some of these enlightening poems were published in newspapers. One night he ran away and went in Braila, there he met Hristo Botev. Vazov was inspired by the Bulgarian revolutionist.

In 1870, back in Bulgaria he worked as a teacher, translator… He studied German. The he went back in Sopot where became member of the renewed Sopot’s revolutionary committee. In Berkovitsa he was a chairman of the Regional court from 1879 to 1880. His stay there inspired him to write many poems.

In 1889 he lived in Sofia, in 1895 the 25th anniversary of his writing activity was celebrated. During the military period 1912-18 he published three amazing collection of poems. In 1920 he was proclaimed the poet of the nation. After his death he devised all of his property to his brother who really needed it but the prime minister Stamboliiski by law created a museum of Vazov in his house.

Къщата на ВАЗОВ! This is the house – museum of Ivan Vazov

The first Bulgarian novel Under the Yoke