site.btaBooker-Shortlisted Author Rene Karabash: Bulgarian Literature More Alive Than Ever

Bulgarian writer Rene Karabash told BTA on Tuesday that the inclusion of her novel She Who Remains in the short list for the International Booker Prize "is a sign that the Bulgarian language and Bulgarian literature are more alive than ever." Karabash said: "I hope that in the future we will continue to see Bulgarian writers nominated for such major literary awards more and more often.”

The news that She Who Remains has entered the International Booker short list was reported earlier in the day.

The author told BTA: "I very much hope that, in addition to the jury and critics, my book will be appreciated by even more readers who can experience it."

According to her, She Who Remains has so far been published in 12 countries in 12 languages, with releases planned in eight more. "That is, the rights have been resold in 20 countries so far. And there are more to come, which makes me very happy, as this means an even longer and larger life for my book. Of course, this is also thanks to my translator Izidora Angel, who did a brilliant translation, as well as my publishers in Britain and America, my Bulgarian publishers, and my literary agent Gergana Pancheva from the Sofia Literary Agency,” said Karabash.

She also announced that a film adaptation of the novel by director Kostadin Bonev is already completed and is expected to be released by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.

“We have a plan with director Staiko Murdzhev to create a stage adaptation of the novel, so good things are ahead,” she added.