Svishtov Celebrates 162nd Anniversary of Aleko Konstantinov with Awards and Charity Concert

The 162nd birth anniversary of renowned writer Aleko Konstantinov was celebrated in Svishtov with a series of events, culminating in the awarding of the Aleko International Short Story Competition prize and a charity concert featuring Hilda Kazasyan and the Pleven Philharmonic Orchestra, CE Report quotes BTA

This year’s award went to Serbian writer Bojan Ljubenovic for his short story "Origin," selected by a jury chaired by Yordan Eftimov alongside Mihail Veshim and Rumen Belchev from Starshel newspaper. Ljubenovic expressed his gratitude, highlighting the importance of the prize, which honors an artist’s contribution to satirical literature. He noted that satire gains greater significance in societies facing injustice and praised the Bulgarian people for valuing critical perspectives.

Svishtov Mayor Gencho Genchev presented the award during the ceremony.

The celebrations also featured a charity concert, with proceeds supporting the Aleko Konstantinov International Foundation. Conductor Borislav Yotsov led an impressive lineup of musicians, including Hristo Yotsov, Zhivko Petrov, Dimitar Karamfilov, and Mihail Yosifov. Special guests Theodosii Spassov and Vasil Petrov added to the evening's appeal.

The anniversary festivities, organized by Svishtov Municipality and the Aleko Konstantinov Museum, included a city-wide torchlit procession, an exhibition of satirical cartoons from Starshel, and a celebration at the Aleko Konstantinov Vocational High School.

These events honored the legacy of Aleko Konstantinov, reflecting his enduring influence on Bulgarian culture and literature.