Famous Bulgarian Writers

Georgi Markov was a Bulgarian writer, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. After relocating to London due to political reasons, Markov worked as a journalist and broadcaster for the BBC World Service, Radio Free Europe, and Deutsche Welle. Georgi Markov was assassinated in 1978 and was posthumously honored with the Order of Stara Planina in 2000.

George Morris Baker was an English writer and actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of Tiberius Caesar Augustus in the popular TV series I, Claudius. As a writer, Baker is well-known for his contribution to a TV play titled Fatal Spring, which earned him a UN peace award. George Morris Baker is also remembered for his charitable work.    

Maria Popova is a Bulgarian-born writer who focuses on philosophy and culture. Considered an important writer, Popova also contributes to popular publications like Wired UK, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. Over the course of her career, Maria Popova has been featured in various lists including Forbes' 30 under 30. 

Hristo Botev was a Bulgarian poet and revolutionary. Widely regarded as a national hero by Bulgarians, Botev was thought to be ahead of his peers in his aesthetic, philosophical, and political views. An influential and important figure in the history of Bulgaria, Botev has several monuments, schools, football clubs, and stadiums named after him.

Known as the father of the pill, Carl Djerassi is best remembered for chemically synthesizing a steroid mimic of the hormone progesterone, which paved the way for the production of contraceptive pills.  That apart, he made important contributions to the synthesis of antihistamines, pest control, mass spectrometry etc. Also a successful author, he wrote several non-fictions, novels, dramas and poems.

Dimiter Marinov is a Bulgarian-American actor best known for his portrayal of Oleg in the 2018 American comedy-drama movie Green Book, which received the Academy Award for Best Picture. In 2019, Dimiter Marinov attended the 91st Academy Awards, becoming the first Bulgarian to walk the red carpet.

Ivan Vazov was a Bulgarian novelist, poet, and playwright. Considered the patriarch of Bulgarian literature, Vazov is best remembered for his 1888 novel Under the Yoke, which has been translated into more than 30 languages. Ivan Vazov is credited with writing the first Bulgarian fantasy poem and the first Bulgarian science fiction story.

Saint Naum was a Bulgarian enlightener and writer. Counted among the Seven Apostles of the earliest Bulgarian Empire, Naum is often associated with the formation of the Cyrillic and Glagolitic script. He is also credited with co-founding the Pliska Literary School. Saint Naum is also credited with converting many Slavs into Bulgarians.

Stefan Stambolov was a Bulgarian journalist, revolutionary, politician, and poet who served as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 1 September 1887 to 31 May 1894. Counted among the most popular and prominent founders of modern Bulgaria, Stambolov played a key role during the Balkan Wars; he helped initiate the cultural and economic progress in Bulgaria.

Kapka Kassabova is a writer and poet whose works have earned her several prestigious awards such as a Commonwealth Writers' Prize and the Highland Book Prize. Many of her books have also been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Baillie Gifford Prize, the Duff Cooper Prize, and the National Book Critics Circle Awards.

Yordan Yovkov was a Bulgarian writer best remembered for his 1927 works, Legends of Stara Planina and Inn at Antimovo. In 1929, Yovkov was honored by the Bulgarian Academy of Science with the prestigious Cyril and Methodius Prize for Literature. Many of his works have been adapted into feature and short films. 

Petko Slaveykov was a Bulgarian poet, folklorist, publicist, and politician. A multi-talented personality, Slaveykov also worked as a journalist, translator, and philologist. He also left his mark on various fields of study such as history, geography, and biography. Petko Slaveykov is considered the pioneer of Bulgarian children's literature and is credited with authoring several textbooks.

Dora Gabe was а Bulgarian Jewish poet best remembered for writing poetry for children and adults. Counted among the most successful and popular Bulgarian poets of all time, Gabe was honored with many prestigious awards. She also wrote travel books, essays, and short stories and many of her works have been translated into a number of languages.

Evelin Banev is a Bulgarian entrepreneur, published writer, real estate developer, and former wrestler. He came to limelight for his highly politicized and controversial prosecutions and imprisonment. Although he was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison in 2013, Evelin Banev was acquitted of all charges in 2014. Banev's 10-year-old daughter was kidnapped during his imprisonment and released unharmed two months later.