The Secret Side of the “Nobel” Challenge – Archives, Secret Societies, Publicity (Bulgaria, 1910–1945)

Abstract

The prestigious world award has existed for more than 120 years, but there is still no Bulgarian winner. This report presents part of a study on this issue. Focusing on the personalities proposed until 1945 – Andrey Lyapchev, Pencho Slaveykov, Ivan Vazov, Ivan Grozev and Elisaveta Bagryana, the study traces the choice, motives and support they receive from the Bulgarian side. Presenting unknown facts from the archives, the report sheds light on another secret side – the intervention of secret societies in Bulgaria behind the candidacies and the formation of a lobby for the prestigious award. At the same time, public opinions, statements and statements that coincide with or differ from the actual facts are presented. For this purpose, examples from the pages of the Bulgarian and French press are attracted, as well as letters, memoirs and testimonies about the time.