Bulgaria is marking the 176th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Vazov, widely regarded as the Patriarch of Bulgarian literature, with a ceremonial event organized by the National Literary Museum in Sofia.
The celebration is taking place in front of Vazov’s monument in the garden of the St. Sophia Church, bringing together residents and visitors to honor one of Bulgaria’s most influential cultural figures. Among those participating is Elin Ivanov, the grandson of writer Elin Pelin, who served as the first curator of the Ivan Vazov House Museum. National Literary Museum Director Atanas Kapralov is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, while representatives of the Presidency, the Ministry of Culture, and the Union of Bulgarian Writers will also offer greetings.
The program features performances by children and students, who will recite Vazov’s poetry and perform a song based on one of his literary works, paying tribute to an author whose writings helped shape Bulgaria’s national identity.
Later in the day, the Ivan Vazov House Museum in central Sofia will unveil a new bilingual audio guide for its renovated permanent exhibition. The project was completed with funding from the Ministry of Culture and is part of preparations for another major milestone: in November 2026, the museum will celebrate 100 years since opening its doors as Bulgaria’s first literary museum.
