On September 13, a solemn ceremony, marked by elegance and an impressive atmosphere, took place in the mysterious Vilnica cave in Slovenia.
There, the Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov received the prestigious international literary award "Vilnica", reported by the publishing house "Janet 45".
The event was part of the Vilnica International Literary Festival, held between September 8 and 13 at various locations in Slovenia, including Ljubljana, Trieste, and Nova Gorica. This year"s motto "The Beautiful New World" created additional intrigue and provocation.
Gospodinov"s Speech
In his touching acceptance speech, Gospodinov emphasized the life-saving power of literature and stories, defining them as a natural counterweight to propaganda and aggressive populism.
Literature and stories have a life-saving power. They have the power to preserve the human and are a natural antidote, a counterweight to propaganda and aggressive populism. Literature is a great tamer of fears.
he stated, emphasizing the key role of the writer"s word in the contemporary world.
The Jury President"s Words
The president of the jury, the Slovenian poet, translator, radio host, and DJ Gregor Podlogar, highlighted the significance of Gospodinov"s work in the context of the award.
Georgi Gospodinov, the fortieth laureate of the Vilnica festival, embodies its legacy in his own unique way and sets an example of how literature today can still influence and reach everyone.
noted Podlogar. He emphasized the unique contribution of the Bulgarian writer to contemporary literature.
The "Vilnica" award is presented annually to a Central European author for outstanding achievements in the field of literature and essay writing.
- Previous laureates include world-renowned names such as Milan Kundera, Zbigniew Herbert, Olga Tokarczuk, Peter Handke, Adam Zagajewski, Peter Esterházy, Miljenko Jergović, Goran Stefanovski, and Dubravka Ugrešić, placing the award in an elite context.
The awarding of the prize to Georgi Gospodinov is a significant event not only for Bulgarian literature but also for the region. As reported by BTA, he is the third Bulgarian writer to be awarded this prestigious recognition in the 40-year history of the award, after Iliya Troyanov (2018) and the poet Rumen Leonidov (2012, with the "Crystal Vilnica_q_ award), a fact that confirms the high level of Bulgarian literature on the international scene. The awarding of the prize to Gospodinov confirms the trend of increasing international recognition of Bulgarian artists.