Vaptsarov: The Poet of Resistance - 120 Years of Memory

18.07.2025 | Historical dates

On the threshold of his 120th birth anniversary, Nikola Vaptsarov continues to be a symbol of civic courage and poetic impact, whose creative legacy transcends the historical boundaries of his time.

Снимка от Phips, Wikimedia Commons, под CC BY-SA 3.0

The Bulgarian literary community is preparing a large-scale commemoration of the remarkable poet and revolutionary Nikola Vaptsarov, whose fateful biography embodies the resistance against the political regime of the mid-20th century.

Born on July 18, 1909, Vaptsarov established himself as one of the most influential voices of his generation. His poetry is distinguished by exceptional social sensitivity and a deep philosophical context that transcends traditional literary canons.

An active participant in the anti-fascist movement, the poet paid with his life for his beliefs, being executed in 1942. His fate became a symbol of civic heroism and uncompromising opposition to oppression.

In honor of the anniversary, cultural institutions in Bulgaria are organizing large-scale events – literary readings, documentary premieres, and thematic exhibitions that will present the multifaceted creative legacy of this exceptional Bulgarian poet.