Rene Karabash: "We are entering a kind of golden age for Bulgarian literature"

"The greatest prize is the hearts of readers." This is what writer Rene Karabash has told BNT. Her novel "She Who Remains", translated into English by Izidora Angel, was among the finalists for the prestigious International Booker Prize 2026. It made it to the shortlist, but the award went to Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi. According to Karabash, however, it is her book that is among the most selected from the entire shortlist worldwide.

"I receive an awful lot of messages and reviews. We managed to reach many languages ​​ and markets - China, India, Korea, Ukraine. This can only make me happy," she commented. According to the writer, the most important result of the nomination is the increased presence of Bulgarian literature on the world stage. She pointed out that after Georgi Gospodinov's success with the Booker in 2023, interest in Bulgarian authors continues to grow. "We are entering a kind of golden age for Bulgarian literature," Rene Karabash said.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova