At the beginning of 2011, National Endowment Fund “13 Centuries Bulgaria” established a national award for a Bulgarian novel of the year entitled “13 Centuries Bulgaria”. According to Statutes, the Fund is to announce a competition. The aim is to encourage and popularize contemporary belles-lettres. Invitees are publishers and authors of novels published during the year preceding the award.
The jury including Bulgarian writers, literary theoreticians and historians, critics and journalists with recognized authority and proven professionalism nominates six novels. Among them, the laureate of the Grand Prize is selected – an honorary diploma with the inscription “NEF 13 Centuries Bulgaria” and an appropriate sum.
The Prize is awarded at a solemn ceremony.
2025
‘Theseus in His Labyrinth. The Diary of a P’, by Krasimir Dimovski, wins the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2025 National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year
On 19 May 2025, the jury, chaired by Acad. Vladimir Zarev, with members Prof. Valeri Stefanov, DPhil; Zdravka Evtimova; Assoc. Prof. Ani Burova, DPhil; and Assoc. Prof. Maurice Fadel, DSc., chose ‘Theseus in His Labyrinth. The Diary of a P’ as the winner in the competition organised by the Fund for the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2025 National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year. Its author, Krasimir Dimovski, won the Fund’s award for the first time with his novel published in 2024 by the Hermes Publishing House.
Following the jury’s second meeting, the award ceremony took place in the Sofia City Art Gallery, where Acad. Vladimir Zarev spoke about the jury’s work.
Ms Bisera Yosifova, Executive Director of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’, thanked the jury and announced the winning novel. Mr Georgi Sultanov, Deputy Minister of Culture, presented the prize to the author.
The ceremony ended with a musical performance by students from the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music. Todorka Hristeva, violin, and Petar Dyulgerov, piano, performed Valse-Scherzo by Tchaikovsky.
2024
‘Wound’, by Zahari Karabashliev, wins the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2024 Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year
On 11 November 2024, a jury chaired by Prof. Milena Kirova, with members Prof. Ivaylo Hristov; Prof. Plamen Doynov, Dr Habil. Hist.; Yanitsa Radeva, PhD; and Prof. Myumyun Tahirov, PhD, chose ‘Wound’ as Novel of the Year in the competition organised by the Fund. Writer Zahari Karabashliev is the author and three-times winner of the prize. ‘Wound’ was published in 2023 by Ciela Publishers.
Following the second jury meeting, the award ceremony took place in the Sofia City Art Gallery. Prof. Milena Kirova presented the nominated novels in detail and spoke about the work of the jury.
Ms Bisera Yosifova, Executive Director of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’, thanked the jury and announced the winning novel. Mr Nayden Todorov, Minister of Culture and Chair of the NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ Management Council, presented the prize. Mr Miroslav Alexandrov, Editor-in-chief of Ciela, accepted the award as a representative authorised by the writer.
Among those present at the event were Plamen Slavov, Secretary of Culture, Spiritual Development and National Identity at the Presidency of Bulgaria; Kalin Velyov, Deputy Minister of Culture; Assoc. Prof. Petko Stefanovski, Deputy Minister of Health; Iavor Koynakov, Chief Expert at the Cultural Policy Department of the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Raina Mandzhukova, Executive Director of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad; and the shortlisted authors and journalists.
The ceremony ended with a musical performance by students from the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music. Georgi Raychev and Stefan Velikov performed Duet No. 1 for Two Violins, by Carl Stamitz. NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ traditionally provides excellent students of the Academy with the opportunity to study and perform on their violins free of charge during their studies.
2023
Bulgarian Novel of the Year 2023 National Literary Prize of ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’
Organising the competition for Bulgarian Novel of the Year for the 12th time, the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund held the official ceremony to announce the winner on 11 May 2023.
The jury, chaired by Prof. Miglena Nikolchina, with members Assoc. Prof. Boyko Penchev, PhD; Prof. Miglena Kirova; Assoc. Prof. Mladen Vlashki, and Prof. Lyudmil Dimitrov, chose ‘Hagabula’ as the novel of the year. Written by Todor Todorov, the novel was published by Janet-45 in 2022.
Following the conclusion of the jury meeting, the award ceremony began at 5:30 p.m. in the Prof. Vasil Gerov Hall. The nominated authors were among the attendees.
Ms Bisera Yosifova, Executive Director of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’, thanked the jury for its work, and presented this year’s diploma and a prize of BGN 11,000 to the author of the award-winning novel.
2022
‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2022 National Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year
On 11 May 2022, a jury chaired by Prof. DSc (Phil.) Boyan Biolchev, with members Prof. DSc (Phil.) Amelia Licheva; Prof. Plamen Doynov, Dr Habil. Hist.; Atanas Kapralov and Zdravka Evtimova, chose ‘The Tail’ as Novel of the Year in the competition organised by the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund. The novel, written by Zahari Karabashliev, was published in 2021 by Ciela Norma AD.
Following the conclusion of the jury meeting at the Ministry of Culture’s Sredets Gallery, the award ceremony began at 6 p.m. with the screening of a video prepared for the purpose, where all the nominated authors presented their works.
Prof. Biolchev introduced the members of the jury, spoke of their professional and exhaustive work, and announced the winner.
Ms Vessela Kondakova, Deputy Minister of Culture and representative of the Chairman of the Fund’s Management Council, presented a diploma to Zahari Karabashliev.
Ms Slava Ivanova, Executive Director of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’, thanked the jury, congratulated all the nominees, and presented books published by the Fund to the author of the award-winning novel.
Mr Karabashliev thanked for the top accolade and presented his vision on the role of the writer in our time.
2021
Georgi Gospodinov is the holder of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2021 National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year
On 11 May 2021, a jury chaired by Prof. DSc (Phil.) Amelia Licheva, with members Assoc. Prof. Yordan Eftimov, PhD, Atanas Kapralov, Theodora Dimova and Svetlozar Zhelev, named the tenth winner of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2020 National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year. ‘Time Shelter’, author Georgi Gospodinov, by Janet-45 publishing house, was chosen from among the six nominated novels published in 2020.
Following the conclusion of the meeting at NDK’s Peroto Literature Club, the award ceremony began at 6 p.m. with a screening of a video where all nominated authors presented their works. Prof. Amelia Licheva introduced the members of the jury, spoke of its work, and announced the winner. Ms Slava Ivanova, Executive Director of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’, thanked the distinguished jury, congratulated all the nominees, and presented the prize to the winner.
2020
‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2020 National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year
On 2 June 2020, a jury chaired by Prof. DSc (Phil.) Boyan Biolchev, with members Prof. DSc (Phil.) Amelia Licheva, Zdravka Evtimova, Atanas Kapralov and Svetlozar Zhelev, named the ninth winner of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year. ‘The Stricken’, by author Theodora Dimova, published by Ciela, was chosen from among the six nominated novels published in 2019.
On 11 June 2020, one month after the usual date for this event, the awarding of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ 2020 National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year was made at the Prof. Vasil Gerov Hall of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’.
Owing to the restrictions imposed by the emergency situation relating to the spread of coronavirus, the ceremony was held with a limited attendance.
The Fund’s Executive Director, Slava Ivanova, welcomed Prof. DSc (Phil.) Boyan Biolchev, Chairman of the Jury, and congratulated the winner of the Prize, Theodora Dimova. On behalf of the jury, Prof. Biolchev highlighted the importance of the prize and the merits of the winning novel, ‘The Stricken’, published by Ciela in August 2019.
Its author, Theodora Dimova, thanked for the top accolade, saying that contemporary Bulgarian writers need the support and recognition that this award of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ Fund has given them for nine consecutive years.
2019
NDF “13 Centuries Bulgaria” announced the eighth winner of the National Literature Prize for Novel ′2019
On May 09, 2019, at the Pen Club at the National Palace of Culture, the National Endowment Fund “13 Centuries Bulgaria” announced the novel “Saint Wolf, author Elena Aleksieva, for winner of the National Award for Bulgarian Novel of the Year “13 Centuries Bulgaria”.
The laureate was elected by a jury with chairman Prof. D.Sc. Amelia Licheva and members Vladimir Zarev, Assoc. Prof. D.Sc. Plamen Doynov, Marin Bodakov and Svetlozar Zhelev, among the nominated six novels: “Body under the dress”, with author Galin Nikiforov, “Sveti Wolf”, authored by Elena Aleksieva, “Ostaynitsa”, with author Rene Karabash, “Gloves for the Cold War”, with author Rumyana Zaharieva, “When the chestnut tree drops”, by author Stefan Kospartov, “Life has no second half”, with the author Hristo Karastoyanov.
The Culture Minister, Boil Banov, congratulated the participants in the competition and handed the prize to the winner. The executive director of NEF “13 centuries Bulgaria” Ms. Slava Ivanova greeted the Laureate on behalf of the Fund and thanked the jury.
2018
National Literary Prize for Bulgarian novel of the year “13 centuries Bulgaria” 2018
NEF “13 Centuries Bulgaria” awarded the National Award for Bulgarian novel of the year “13 Centuries Bulgaria” on 9 May 2018. The ceremony took place in the Literary Club “Feather” of the National Palace of Culture.
President of the jury Mr. Vladimir Zarev announced the winner in a competition and – the novel “Javra” by Zahari Karabashliev. The jury composed by Prof. Amelia Licheva, Assoc. Prof. Dr Boris Minkov, Marin Bodakov, Assoc. Prof. DSc. Plamen Doynov, chose the novel among the six finalists in the competition: “Hearse, two rhinos”, Petar Daniel; “Invisible”, Natalia Deleva; “The Road to Thebes”, Yanitsa Radeva; “Fine dust particles”, Angel Ignov; “Chamkoria”, Milen Ruskov.
The Deputy Minister of Culture, Rumen Dimitrov, greeted the laureate and handed him the honorary Diploma of the NEF “13 Centuries Bulgaria”, with monetary coverage amounting to 11 000 BGN.
2017
National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the Year “13 Centuries Bulgaria” 2017
On May 11, 2017, in the literary club “Pen” of the National Palace of Culture, the National Award for Bulgarian novel of the year “13 Centuries Bulgaria” was given.
The jury, included Assoc. Prof. DSc. Boris Minkov, Prof. DSc. Boyan Biolchev, Deyan Enev, Zdravka Evtimova and Assoc. Prof. DSc. Plamen Doynov, nominated six of the total 46 novels that took part in the contest. Chairman of the jury Prof. Boyan Biolchev announced the winner – “The Last Territory” by Momchil Nikolov, publishing house “Ciela”.
The Executive Director of the fund, Mitko Todorov, welcomed those present and congratulated the winner of the prestigious prize.
2016
National Literary Award for Bulgarian novel of the year “13 Centuries Bulgaria” 2016
On May 11, 2016, in the book club “Pen” at the National Palace of Culture, in the framework of the 21st edition of “Salon of Arts”, NEF “13 Centuries Bulgaria” for the 5th consecutive time bestowed the National Literary Prize for Bulgarian Novel of the year “13 Centuries Bulgaria” for 2016. Its winner was Zdravka Evtimova with the novel “The Same River”, publishing house “Janet – 45”. She was selected by a jury chaired by Prof. Dr. Miglena Nikolchinna, President, Prof. Dr. Mihail Nedelchev, Deyan Enev, Emilia Dvorjanova , Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yordan Eftimov.