The Sofia Municipal Council (SMC) named writer Georgi Gospodinov Honorary Citizen of Sofia and conferred the Sofia Municipality Badge of Honour on his English-language translator Angela Rodel.
Gospodinov's novel Time Shelter, in Rodel's translation, won the 2023 International Booker Prize on May 23.
SMC Chairman Georgi Georgiev described the prize as "an unprecedented achievement for contemporary Bulgarian literature". He told BTA: "We have taken this decision with gratitude for something that has made the whole nation proud. It is the highest national achievement we have had in years."
Georgiev went on to say: "Our decision about Georgi Gospodinov and Angela Rodel is an acknowledgement for the work of the people of intellect who are creating contemporary Bulgarian culture and gaining worldwide recognition. They are also being honoured by the SMC for their extraordinary merit of winning this international accolade for Time Shelter together. It is wonderful that readers nowadays have access to living masters of classic Bulgarian literature. The SMC decision is an adequate assessment of their work, the occasions of pride they have given us, and the shelter they have provided to us at tough moments."
Gospodinov's novel Time Shelter, in Rodel's translation, won the 2023 International Booker Prize on May 23.
SMC Chairman Georgi Georgiev described the prize as "an unprecedented achievement for contemporary Bulgarian literature". He told BTA: "We have taken this decision with gratitude for something that has made the whole nation proud. It is the highest national achievement we have had in years."
Georgiev went on to say: "Our decision about Georgi Gospodinov and Angela Rodel is an acknowledgement for the work of the people of intellect who are creating contemporary Bulgarian culture and gaining worldwide recognition. They are also being honoured by the SMC for their extraordinary merit of winning this international accolade for Time Shelter together. It is wonderful that readers nowadays have access to living masters of classic Bulgarian literature. The SMC decision is an adequate assessment of their work, the occasions of pride they have given us, and the shelter they have provided to us at tough moments."
