Interview with Ivan Vazov and Viktoria Hadzhieva
We - What do you think of the revolutionary spirit today? Is it different from that
decades ago?
* Definitely the spirit of my time was more powerful and purposeful. But I think that there are many revolutionary young people who love their homeland.
We - What do you think about newly built cultural monuments?
* Oh, they are really good. They praise the culture of Bulgaria and Plovdiv.
We – Has Plovdiv changed?
* Plovdiv is a unique city! Now there are many new and interesting buildings, monuments and places of entertainment. It is definitely different from Plovdiv, which I remember.
Interview with Ivan Vazov and Krasimira Sabeva
I am talking with Ivan Vazov, the author of the first Bulgarian novel
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Mr Vazov, what was your parents’ opinion when they found out about your interest in literature occupation..?
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My parents expected me to be a trader, because my father was one of the local traders in my home town Sopot. I didn`t want to follow his steps. My parents felt disappointed for a long period of time.
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Which of your teachers will you never forget?
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When I studied in Kalofer , my teacher was Botyo Petkov, Hristo Botev’s father. He gave me some very important advice.
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How many languages can you speak?
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I can speak Russian, Greek and Turkish, but my favourite language is French. I learnt it many years ago. I studied it when I was 15 years old as a student in Plovdiv. I love French literature and French classical writers.
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You are a famous and rich man. What do you think about money?
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Money is only a means to have peaceful and quiet life. The most important things in our life are love and happiness. We have to be good people. For example, all my money I gave to my brother, who was poor.
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Did you find the big love in your life?
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I was married for a long lime. My wife was Atina Bolyarska, but my great love was Evgenia Mars. I saw her on a train and I fell in love at the same moment. I devoted to her my poems in “When the lilac smells”.