At the launch of a national initiative marking Pencho Slaveykov’s 160th anniversary in Tryavna on Monday, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev presented a model of modern citizenship, characterizing it as an openness to new ideas. Valchev announced that the project will engage all 33 BTA national press clubs, featuring discussions with academics, students, writers, journalists, and public figures aimed at preserving the poet’s memory. Furthermore, a special issue of BTA’s LIK magazine will document these conversations, continuing a tradition established for Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov.
Valchev noted that Slaveykov, a key figure in Bulgarian modernism and member of the Misul literary circle, championed modernization through education and global awareness, influences drawn from his studies in Leipzig. The discussions are intended to explore the concept of modern life today, mirroring past discussions that analyzed Aleko Konstantinov’s characters as reflections of national traits. According to Valchev, Slaveykov’s example illustrates that modernity involves embracing new ideas and pursuing spiritual growth and universal values without abandoning national identity or tradition.
The Director General added that Slaveykov’s work was shaped by his father, Petko Slaveykov, and Bulgaria’s liberation struggles, notably reflected in his epic poem, Karvava Pesen. Valchev also recalled that Slaveykov was nominated for the Nobel Prize in 1912. The initiative underscores a commitment to continuously honoring cultural leaders, extending beyond mere anniversaries.
Historically, Pencho Slaveykov (born 1866) experienced severe physical impairments early in life, which he viewed as
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