Photo Stoyanovich by Evgenia Ivanova

Winner of the 2008 Vick Prize
Bulgarian Novel of the Year

 

Photo Stoyanovich by Evgenia Ivanova is the fifth winner of the Bulgarian Novel of the Year competition organized by the VICK Foundation. On Monday, 27 October at the Sheraton Hotel, the prize was presented by Mr. Edward Vick at the annual award ceremony.

Emerging from another five novels, Ivanova’s work was selected by a competent jury composing of: European Commissioner Meglena Kouneva, Prof. Boryana Hristova, Prof. Valery Stefanov, Assoc. Prof. Georgy Lozanov and movie director Andrey Slabakov.

VICK Foundation founder, Edward Vick, added that public interest in the competition has been overwhelming this year and thanked publishers and members of the media for their support. He also expressed hopes that Bulgaria, world-famous with its opera singers, would one day be renowned for its writers as well.

Performances by the famous baritone Petar Danailov and the talented young soprano Simona Kodova (accompanied by Vyara Shuperlieva on the piano) were also highlights of the ceremony on Monday.

 

 

 

Mamka by Pip Volant received the most votes from the general public and thus won the Readers Award. The award was presented by Ms. Maya Manolova, one of the 2008 Ambassadors.

 

 

After 5 years of success, VICK Foundation is still persevering in its endeavour to bring Bulgarian literature to the forefront and is gaining supporters. Beginning in 2009, all the 6 short-listed books will receive a cash award from the entertainment company Eurochance, Its manager Olga Todorova will sponsor of the Most Popular book as voted by readers. Eurochance is further contributing to the VICK Foundation effort in Bulgaria by providing each of its local offices a newly-published Bulgarian book.