Ivan Minchov Vazov was a Bulgarian poet, novelist and playwright, often referred to as "the Patriarch of Bulgarian literature". He was born in Sopot, a town in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria (then part of the Ottoman Empire). The works of Ivan Vazov reveal two historical epochs - the Bulgarian Renaissance and the Post-Liberation (from Ottoman Empire rule) epoch. 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.
Vazov was probably heavily influenced by Botev, who was the ideological leader of the Bulgarian revolutionary movement. He started writing his famous poems with Botev and some other Bulgarian emigrants in Romania. In 1876 he published his first work, Priaporetz and Gusla, followed by "Bulgaria's Sorrows" in 1877.
Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878 as a result of the Russo-Turkish War and Vazov wrote the famous Epic of the Forgotten. He became the editor of the political reviews Science and Dawn. He was, however, forced into exile once again, this time to Odessa, because of the persecution of the russophile political faction. Returning to Bulgaria with the help of his mother Suba Vazova, he started teaching. Vazov's next stay was in Svishtov, where he became a civil servant.
n 1917 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature
Те бягаха, бледни, пред дивата сган. И Волов, юнакът, цял в кърви облян, извика: О, боже! О адска измама! Подвигът пропадна и надежда няма! Къде да се скрием от безславна смърт? Б а л к а н ъ т Аз нямам за вази ни завет, ни път. Г р а д ъ т Аз имам бесила. Х и ж а т а Аз имам проклятья. Я н т р а Елате, нещастни, във моите обятья!
Well written. Bulgarian Warrior-Martyrs die in their efforts to break the heavy Ottoman yoke crushing their homeland. But it would be a stretch to regard this work as a celebration of Orthodox Christian martyrs. Perhaps some were, but the author blames God at times for forsaking them, and there are no statements to the contrary. As an Orthodox Christian reading this struggle of the people for their Orthodox Christian land, this disparagement of God spoils it for me.
Read in Bulgarian original plus English (literal) translation. The Bulgarian has the metre and rhyme, compared to which the English is quite flat. But this is just one of two works by Ivan Vazov that has been translated into English (the other being Под Игото, Under the Yoke). This epic sings the praise of various freedom fighters that helped liberate Bulgaria from the Ottoman occupation at the end of the 19th century. Lots of blood and bullets, but overall an impressive work.
Collection of short tellings of various Bulgarian battles. The stories almost always end in defeat but they’re told with the perspective of glorious death. It reminds me of the scene in RoTK with King Theoden giving his speech to his troops before the battle of Gondor and them all shouting “DEATH” while charging into enemy lines. Flips the perception of defeat on its head and holds the motto of “freedom or death” true.
„Епопея на забравените“ на Иван Вазов е цикъл от 12 оди, описващ трудностите пред българите да въстанат, турската тираничност, призива за "събуждане" на българския народ и смелите вождове, които дават сила на опълченците.
Иван Вазов успява да изкара от мрака на забравата личности като Паисий Хилендарски, Георги Бенковски, Васил Левски, Георги Стойков Раковски и Опълченците на Шипка и да възвиши и увековечи тяхното дело.
Най-въздействаща за мен определено е одата "Опълченците на Шипка".
3.5* "Епопея на забравените" е важна част от българската литература и история. Много добра и кратка книга, написана в 12 поеми. Не всички, за съжаление, успяха да ме докоснат, но тези, които го направиха бяха: „Левски“, „Кочо (Защитата на Перущица)“, „Раковски“ и „Опълченците на Шипка".