Ivan Minchov Vazov was born on 27 July,1850 in Sopot,Bulgaria. His father was Mincho Vazov and his mother was Saba Vazova. He had three brothers - George Vazov,Vladimir Vazov and Boris Vazov. He lived in Sopot and there he studied in the local school.  After that he had studied in Kalofer for 1 year and after that he had studied in Plovdiv for 2 years. The works of Ivan Vazov reveal two historical epochs - the Bulgarian Renaissance and the Post-Liberation (from Ottoman Empire rule) epoch.The exact date of Vazov's birth is disputed. His parents, Saba and Mincho Vazov, both had a lot of influence on the young poet. He wrote a lot of produce. Some of them are: Опълченците на Шипка (Opalchentsite na Shipka); Тих,бял Дунав (Tih, byal Dunav);Една българка(Edna Balgarka);Немили-недраги(Nemili-nedragi). Ivan Vazov holds the highest honorary title of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Academician. He acted as Education and People Enlightenment Minister from September 7, 1897 until January 30th, 1899, representing the People's Party.

Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878 as a result of the Russo-Turkish War and Vazov wrote the famous Epic of the Fotgotten. He became the editor of the political reviews Science and Dawn. He was, however, forced into exile once again.

 

Vazov's 1893 novel Under the Yoke, which depicts the Ottoman oppression of Bulgaria, is the most famous piece of classic Bulgarian literature and has been translated into over 30 languages.

Later in his life Vazov was a prominent and widely respected figure in the social and cultural life of newly independent Bulgaria. He died on September 22, 1921.

Historical site

 Vazov's bas-relief at Vazovova Street, Bratislava

Honours

The Bulgarian Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia is named after him, as is the Ivan Vazov National Library in Plovdiv. A park near St. Sofia Church in Sofia features the city's best-known monument to Vazov.

Vazovova Street in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Vazov Point and Vazov Rock on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica are also named after him.

In 1917 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature.