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Bulgarian Interviews with Ivan Vazov

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
- Mr Vazov, what was your parents’ opinion when they found out about your interest in literature occupation..?
- 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.
- Which of your teachers will you never forget?
- When I studied in Kalofer , my teacher was Botyo Petkov, Hristo Botev’s father. He gave me some very important advice.
- How many languages can you speak?
- 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.
- You are a famous and rich man. What do you think about money?
- 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.
- Did you find the big love in your life?
- 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”.

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Bulgarian Interviews with Ivan Vazov

I am talking with Ivan Vazov, the author of the first Bulgarian novel

Mr Vazov, what was your parents’ opinion when they found out about your interest in literature occupation..?

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.

Which of your teachers will you never forget?

When I studied in Kalofer , my teacher was Botyo Petkov, Hristo Botev’s father. He gave me some very important advice.

How many languages can you speak?

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.

You are a famous and rich man. What do you think about money?

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.

Did you find the big love in your life?

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”.