site.btaWriters to Celebrate 160 Years since Birth of Author Aleko Konstantinov on January 1

Bulgarian writers, including Georgi Gospodinov, Mihail Nedelchev, Alek Popov, Zdravka Evtimova, Teodora Dimova, Deyan Enev, Ivan Landzhev, will participate in the celebration of the 160th anniversary of the birth of classic Bulgarian author Aleko Konstantinov. The event will take place on January 1 at Konstantinov's monument on the capital's Vitosha Boulevard, the organizers said.

During the celebration, actor Rusi Chanev will read excerpts from Konstantinov's most famed work "Bay Ganyo", and Prof. Alexander Kyosev will make a speech.

Aleko Konstantinov was born on January 1, 1863 in Svishtov. He worked as a judge, prosecutor, legal consultant, freelance lawyer. He was preparing for a scientific and teaching career at Sofia University. He was killed on May 11, 1897 near the village of Radilovo.

Konstantinov is one of the recognized classics of Bulgarian literature. In his travel chronicle "To Chicago and Back" (1894) he described his journey to America and observed civilizational differences, while his collection of feuilletons "Bay Ganyo" featured an exemplary image of an anti-hero and a timeless social stereotype in the face of the titular character, and showcased Konstantinov's talent as a humorist and psychologist.