Bulgarian journalist and writer Dimitar Shumnaliev dies

Prominent Bulgarian journalist and fiction writer Dimitar Shumnaliev has died after a long illness, his family announced. He was 79.

Born on March 3, 1947, Shumnaliev graduated in Bulgarian philology from Sofia University before specialising in French language and literature at the University of Pau in France. He later completed the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in the United States.

A long-standing member of the Union of Bulgarian Writers, Shumnaliev was the author of numerous novels, novellas and short stories, as well as hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.

During his career, he worked for several leading Bulgarian newspapers and Bulgarian National Radio, serving as editor-in-chief and deputy editor-in-chief at some of the country's leading newspapers.

His works have been translated into English, Russian, German, French and other languages, and he received numerous literary awards. Among his best-known novels are Ferodo, Sotsroman, Comparsita, Forgiveness, White Jam and Beasts.

Later in life, Shumnaliev also turned to painting. Although he had no formal artistic training, he regarded artists Svetlin Rusev, Suli Seferov and Mihail Lalov as his creative mentors. He never exhibited his work publicly.

Shumnaliev once described short stories as "beautiful nights" and novels as "a long biography." Reflecting his characteristic wit, he also liked to say: "You can remain a bon vivant all your life unless you find something more serious to do."

The team of Radio Bulgaria extends its sincere condolences to Dimitar Shumnaliev's family, friends and colleagues. May he rest in peace.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova