site.btaIvan Vazov's 104th Death Anniversary Marked in Sofia

A memorial service was held on Monday at the grave of poet and writer Ivan Vazov (1850-1921) in central Sofia. Vazov, known as the Patriarch of Bulgarian literature, died 104 years ago Monday.

National Literary Museum Director Atanas Kapralov said: "As long as the spirit of Ivan Vazov lives, Bulgaria will live as well, and as long as Bulgaria lives, the spirit of Ivan Vazov cannot but live too, for they are simply one whole."

Archpriest Vasil Tanev officiated the service at the grave behind St Sophia Church.

Kapralov thanked all who had come to pay tribute "the most undisputed Bulgarian poet". He added: "When I say 'the most undisputed', it is relative, because even during his lifetime Vazov had his enemies - people who exploited his presence in the hearts of the Bulgarian people. The Misal (Thought) Circle sought, to some extent, to devalue what Vazov had written. Later came difficult years for Vazov's recognition, during the early period of communism, when he was labelled a bourgeois writer. Then came modern detractors, who tried to edit him. Yet all of this ultimately failed, because the words of Ivan Vazov are sown into every Bulgarian heart."

No other Bulgarian writer has earned such deep love from ordinary people during his lifetime, Kapralov said in conclusion.

Literary critic Katya Zografova and actor Stoyan Chobanov recited two of Vazov's poems.