Katerina Stoykova-Klemer interviewed poet Vladislav Hristov for The Season of Delicate Hunger: Anthology of Contemporary Bulgarian Poetry. Here is a translation of that conversation.
What would you like for the American readers to know about Bulgarian poetry?
I’d like them to know that despite the small size of our country, our poetry is not at all small in significance, that we have world-class poets, even though they’re not too well-known outside Bulgaria. I believe one day this will change.
What would you like for the American readers to know about you personally?
Let them know that I am a person who loves to seek not the easy paths, but the paths that teach; that I’m not ashamed to say that I’m still learning.
Nest on the Ceiling
she returned alone without the dog
and the other conformities
this home is now devoid of noises
the walls fall
no space left for the body
soon she will build
a nest on the ceiling
and start living in it
like a swallow
you hardly ever presumed
this would happen
to the woman you love
–Vladislav Hristov,
translated by Katerina Stoykova-Klemer
Is there an American poet who has influenced you or has made a an impression on you? How do you interact with American poetry?
Charles Bukowski. One is bound to be influenced by an encounter with him. I read American poetry in translation and in original; it gives me another perspective on the country and its people; I attempt to understand them better through poetry.
What forms of cultural exchange between Bulgaria and the U.S. would you find interesting, practical and helpful?
The bilingual literary publications are a good form of exchange, as well as literary festivals, and exchange visits of Bulgarian and American authors.
What do you wish for the anthology and its readers?
To read without prejudice, to be pure when entering poetry, so that they can exit pure afterwards.
More from our “Meet a Bulgarian Poet” series:
Vladislav Hristov was born on July 23rd, 1976 in Shumen. He is a poet, writer and photographer, and his work has been published in numerous literary magazines. Vladislav is the author of three poetry books, most recently φ (2013). He has received international recognition for his haiku, and in 2012, he was listed as one of the 100 most creative haiku authors of Europe. Vladislav was the originator of the first “Seasons” national contest for photo-haiga. Additionally, he launched the fundraising project “Rice fields—photos and haiku” for relief of victims of the 2011 earthquake in Japan. He lives and works in Sofia.
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