NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ presented the English translation of ‘The Case of Cem’ to mark the 95th anniversary of the birth of Academician Vera Mutafchieva

On 28 March 2024 in the Prof. Vasil Gerov Hall, the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund held a literary meeting to mark the 95th anniversary of the birth of Academician Vera Mutafchieva. She was not only an established historian and writer; her life and career were also connected with the Fund’s activities, as a long-time member of the Management Council, and Chairperson of its Publishing Board.

Angela Rodel, laureate of the International Booker Prize, presented her translation of Vera Mutafchieva’s novel, ‘The Case of Cem’. This, the first English-language edition of the historical novel, was published early in 2024. The novel, which originally appeared in 1966, has by now been translated into 13 languages.

Kin Stoyanov, director of Bulgarian National Radio’s Hristo Botev Programme and a former long-time head of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’, described his acquaintance with Vera Mutafchieva.

Ms Bisera Yosifova, Executive Director of the Fund, read out excerpts (which she had sent especially for the event) from the memoirs of the Frenchwoman Marie Vrinat-Nikolov, Bulgarian-language scholar and translator.

Ms Iliana Yotova, Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, was also present and shared her impressions of the oeuvre of the great Bulgarian writer.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Janet-45 Print and Publishing, journalists from BTA, BNR, 24 Chasa, writers, and relatives and friends of Academician Mutafchieva.

The documentary feature film, ‘The Vera Case’, by directors Atanas Dimitrov, Vladimir Lyutskanov and scriptwriter Antoaneta Bachurova, was screened.

Translated by Nigrita Davies