Writer Boyka Asiova Receives Journalists and Travel Writers' Award

Veneta Litkova, Vanya Suharova

Writer Boyka Asiova received the annual Maxim Minchev Award, Sofia, June 5, 2026 (BTA Photo/Hristo Kasabov)

Sofia,

05.06.2026 16:08

(BTA)

Tags

about BTA

Writer Boyka Asiova received the 2026 Bulgarian Association of Journalists and Travel Writers (ABUJET) award, named after long-serving BTA Director General Maxim Minchev. The award was presented for the third consecutive year at a ceremony held on Friday at BTA's National Press Club in Sofia.

The event took place on the day when Maxim Minchev would have turned 73. "He was a journalist, a public figure, a traveller, and a man deeply curious about the world. He left a lasting legacy. There are now three awards bearing his name," BTA Deputy Director General Evgenia Drumeva said. She noted that awards named after Minchev are presented by the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), the GLAS Association in Bosilegrad, and ABUJET.

The award was presented by Minchev's son, Kristian Minchev. He noted that all nominees in the 2026's competition deserved recognition.

He described Asiova as one of Bulgaria's most widely read contemporary authors. "She is among those writers any publishing house would be proud to publish and among those authors who have a large readership," he said, adding that generations of readers had learned from her books.

The award was handed over by 2025 recipient, journalist and writer Milena Dimitrova, who also serves as Secretary for Culture, Education and Relations with Bulgarians Abroad to President Iliana Iotova. In her address, Dimitrova described Asiova as an example of nobility, refinement and depth, both in life and in her literary work.

"I am sure I have declared my affection for each of you. This is an organization of which I am a member with complete conviction," Asiova said upon receiving the award.

She said she was drawn by the very purpose of travelling, not to a specific destination, but through songs, stories, people and dreams, all of which eventually find life in books. She also recalled a principle often repeated by Maxim Minchev: every journey should be travelled in both directions because each direction reveals something different, especially in the mountains. "That is why we have no reason to stop travelling," she said.

Asiova also recalled her first meeting with Minchev when he produced clippings of her published articles. "That was a remarkable declaration of appreciation," she said. Minchev later invited her and her daughter, Irina Asiova-Diamant, to join ABUJET. "And now I have received this certificate of recognition," she added.

The ABUJET award was established in 2024 and is presented to a journalist or writer actively contributing to the association's objectives. The first recipient was journalist, writer and traveller Magdalena Gigova.

ABUJET was founded in 1956 by prominent Bulgarian intellectuals, including Valeri Petrov, Bogomil Rainov, Bogomil Nonev and Ivayla Valkova. Today, it brings together more than 60 leading journalists, writers and bloggers.

/RY/