Nayden Valchev, Author of “One Bulgarian Rose,” Passes Away at 98
the poet Nayden Valchev has died at the age of 98, as announced by his grandson, Philip Valchev. Valchev is widely recognized as the author of the beloved song “One Bulgarian Rose,” which gained popularity in the 1970s.The Union of Bulgarian Writers has hailed him as the doyen of poets.
Born on August 30,1927,in the village of Brestnitsa,Nayden Valchev came from a family of teachers. He received his primary education in his village and continued to the Pleven Boys’ High School, were he began his poetic journey. He graduated from the Law Faculty of Sofia university “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 1951 but ultimately dedicated his life to literature.
Valchev first published his work in 1946 and was a member of the “Vasil Vodenicharski” literary circle during his studies. His experiences in the military inspired his first collection, “On the Southern Border” (1953).
Throughout his career, he held editorial positions at several prominent magazines, including “Bulgarian Warrior,” “People’s Army,” “Septemvri,” “Savremennik,” and “Daritelli.” He also served as a cultural attaché at the Bulgarian Embassy in Minsk, Belarus, from 1996 to 1997. He was a long-standing member of the Union of Bulgarian Writers, serving as chairman of the “Poetry” section in 1983.
Valchev’s extensive body of work includes poetry collections such as “Silent Victory” (1954), “A Small Story” (1956), “pastra Palette” (1960), “lunapark” (1970), “Blue Flower, train, Woman” (1975), and “Golden August” (1977), among many others. His 2013 collection, “One Bulgarian Rose,” gathered selected poems from his prolific career. He also authored a series of biographical essays, “Travel Encounters,” profiling prominent Bulgarian literary and artistic figures.His final collection, “The Swan,” was published in 2022, marking 70 years of his poetic work.
Beyond his work for adults, Valchev also wrote for children under the pseudonym Chik Chirik, publishing collections like “Bulgarian Land” (1963) and “Acorn with a Hat” (2004).
Nayden Valchev was a founding member and chairman (1989-1991) of the Union of Translators in Bulgaria, demonstrating his commitment to bridging literary worlds. He was a translator himself,contributing to the exchange of culture and ideas.
Nayden Valchev: A Life Dedicated to Bulgarian Song and Poetry
nayden Valchev (1927-2017) was a highly celebrated bulgarian poet and lyricist,renowned for his contributions to Bulgarian music and literature. His work profoundly impacted the cultural landscape of Bulgaria throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1927, Valchev dedicated his life to artistic expression.He became a prominent figure in Bulgarian songwriting, collaborating with many of the nation’s leading composers.
Musical Legacy
Valchev’s lyrics are behind some of Bulgaria’s most beloved and enduring songs. He is best known for writng the lyrics to “One bulgarian Rose” (Една българска роза), composed by Dimitar Kirov.This song achieved international recognition, winning first prize at the 1969 “golden Orpheus” International Festival and being declared the song of the 20th century in Bulgaria in 2000. In 2022, the song experienced renewed popularity with a new performance by Igor markovski’s “Singing Artists.”
Beyond “One Bulgarian Rose,” Valchev penned lyrics for a vast repertoire of songs, including “Big song” (Голяма песен), “Youth March” (Младежки марш), “Silent Evening” (Тиха вечер), “I Waited For You” (Чаках те), “We Are Every Kilometer” (Ние сме всеки километър), “Tell Who Is The dark Woman” (Кажи кой е тъмната жена), “Blue Evening” (Синя вечер), “Once Upon A Time” (Някога), and “Once, But Not Now” (Веднъж, но не сега). He collaborated with composers such as Svetoslav Obretenov, Lyubomir pipkov, Philip Kutev, Konstantin Iliev, Todor Popov, Yosif Tsankov, Petar Stupel, Atanas Boyadzhiev, Emil Georgiev, Toncho Rusev, and Mitko Shterev.
Poetic Works and Themes
Valchev’s poetic output extended beyond songwriting. He explored a diverse range of themes in his poetry, including intimate reflections on “Woman,” the beauty of nature as exemplified in “Edelweiss,” travel experiences, and the valor of Bulgaria’s historical past.He consistently aimed to address contemporary issues and remain relevant to his audience.
Collections and Recognition
Throughout his career, Valchev amassed a collection of over 60 autographed books from fellow writers, each bearing dedications to him. His contributions were widely recognized with numerous awards, both domestically and internationally. Thes include:
* 1979: First prize for lyrics to “Bulgarian Blood” in the Ministry of National Defense competition.
* 1982: Translation Award from the Bulgarian translators’ Union.
* 1987: “Dimcho Debelyanov” poetry award from the magazine “Bulgarian Warrior.”
* 1976: Medal “For Merits in Border Protection.”
* 1977: Order of Cyril and Methodius, First Degree.
* 1982: Title “Honored Worker of Culture.”
* 1998: lifetime achievement Award from the Union of Bulgarian Writers.
* 2000: State Award of Belarus – the “Francisk Skorina” medal.
* 2013: order of St. Cyril and Methodius, First Degree (second award).
* 2017: “Golden Age” award with a necklace,recognizing his 90th birthday and lifetime of work.
Nayden Valchev passed away in 2017, leaving behind a rich legacy of poetic and lyrical artistry that continues to resonate with audiences in Bulgaria and beyond.
Tribute to his memory!
Editor: Darina Metodieva
Sources:
* The original text provided.
* [https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD_%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%B2](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD_%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%87%D0%B
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