Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

114 years since the birth of the poet

People from all over the world with a revived interest in the Nikola Vaptsarov museum and in his poetry

| updated on 12/7/23 12:59 PM
Photo: Keti Trencheva

Acclaimed poet, humanist and antifascist Nikola Vaptsarov was born on 7 December, 1909 in the small mountain town of Bansko. Having been charged with subversion, he was sentenced to death by firing squad and executed at the garrison shooting range in Sofia on 23 July, 1942.

Nikola Vaptsarov is the only Bulgarian, holder of the honorary award of the World Peace Council, conferred on him posthumously in 1952.

BNR’s correspondent in Bansko Keti Trencheva with more:

“In the year in which the poet’s mother Elena Vaptsarova received the world distinction on behalf of her son, their family home opened doors as a museum, laying the foundations of museology in Bansko. The museum displays all important documents connected with the life of the poet, the history of his family, drafts of poems, the first edition of his collection of poems Motor Songs.”

In 1952, when ten years had passed from his death, part of Nikola Vaptsarov’s archives was put on display at his home, and the atmosphere from his childhood revived. The first guide at the museum was the poet’s mother Elena Vaptsarova. 
The Nikola Vaptsarov museum in Bansko
Seven decades later, interest in the Nikola Vaptsarov museum and in his work is definitely coming back, says Svetla Baryakova, director of the Museum Complex-Bansko:  

“His poetry is undergoing a rebirth because it is so human, and anyone can discover themselves in it – their own sorrows, their own troubles, joys, dreams and ideals. People from all over the world come here to honour Nikola Vaptsarov.”

Reporting by Keti Trencheva

Editing by Elena Karkalanova

Photos: Keti Trencheva, visit-bansko.bg



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Vivia Niki and her latest unique art project

Bulgarian artist and architect Vivia Niki presented her new land art creation—a giant three-dimensional candle painted on a meadow in the forests of the Plana Mountain, which seems to flicker like a living flame only when viewed from the air at a..

published on 11/16/25 8:00 AM

Theaters Night takes place in 11 cities across Bulgaria

Theater enthusiasts in Bulgaria are already counting the hours until start of the 13th edition of Theaters Night. This exciting evening will turn the stages in 11 Bulgarian cities into a true celebration of the arts. The event’s ambassadors are..

published on 11/15/25 7:45 AM
Blagomira Lipari

Violinist Blagomira Lipari: Bulgaria is sincerity and warmth!

On November 6 in Los Angeles, the new foundation Bulgarian Classical Concerts - Los Angeles officially began its activities with a chamber concert, which featured works by Bulgarian classical and contemporary composers - Pancho..

published on 11/13/25 6:45 PM