Sibila Alexova Wins National Poetry Award

Ani Mihaylova

Sibila Alexova received the Ivan Nikolov National Poetry Award for her collection "A Place for Wings" during a ceremony at the Dimitar Georgiev Gallery in Plovdiv, March 20, 2026 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria,

20.03.2026 21:22

(BTA)

Sibila Alexova is the new recipient of the Ivan Nikolov National Poetry Award for her collection A Place for Wings (Janet 45 Publishing). The award ceremony took place Friday evening at the Dimitar Georgiev Gallery in Plovdiv.

"The award recognizes her delicate poetic language with a rich register; her ability to infuse everyday banality with hidden drama and, in just a few lines, create a comprehensive picture of time and place; and, last but not least, for that distinctly Bulgarian breath that subtly and unobtrusively - like the scent of thyme - pervades her verses," the jury stated. The panel consisted of Aksinia Mihailova, Nikolay Kolev, and Plamen Antov.

The winner received a plaque crafted by artist Hristo Gochev and a cash prize. "It was worth it. Today, writing poetry is not easy, so we are all heroes here. The world is 'noisy' - on one hand these global upheavals, on the other all this information, so many words… Words, words, words. There is no silence, nothing stable to hold onto," Alexova said at the presenting event.

The award for poetic debut went to Lora Mladenova for her book :porn religion death: (Scribens publisher). "It was a very pleasant surprise to be nominated, especially with a debut book. I am delighted to be among authors I greatly admire," said the poet, adding that she is happy to see the Bulgarian literary scene thriving, noting its sincerity and support.

Most of the nominated authors attended the ceremony, received certificates, and read their poems.

The event was opened by Krasimir Lozanov, Marketing Director of Janet 45, who greeted guests for World Poetry Day, celebrated on March 21, and recalled the history of the award while introducing the new five-point voting system, implemented for the first time this year. He also thanked the jury, organizers, authors, publishers, and guests.

This year’s competition, held for the 29th time, featured a total of 54 poetry books from 29 Bulgarian publishers.

The Ivan Nikolov National Poetry Award is being presented for the 29th time this year. Established in 1994 by Janet 45 Publishing, the award includes a plaque by artist Hristo Gochev and a cash prize. The first recipient in 1994 was Hristo Fotev. Past laureates include Elin Rahnev, Petar Chukov, Axinia Mihailova, Ivan Dinkov, Konstantin Pavlov, Ivan Teofilov, Ivan Metodiev, Ekaterina Yosifova, Georgi Borisov, Kristin Dimitrova, Stanka Pencheva, Silvia Choleva, Marin Bodakov, Georgi Gospodinov, Valentin Dishev, Krasimir Vardiev, Yana Bukova, Nadezhda Radulova, Tsocho Boyadzhiev, Kraste Ralenkov, Zlatozar Petrov, and Vladislav Hristov.

Ivan Nikolov (1937–1991) was a Bulgarian poet, journalist, and translator. From 1969 to 1980, he served as chief editor of the Hristo G. Danov publishing house in Plovdiv. Author of over 20 books, he is remembered not only for his poetry but also for his brilliant translations of Russian poetry and prose, including works by Pushkin, Yesenin, Marina Tsvetaeva, and Bulat Okudzhava.

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