Mutafchieva, Vera P. (1929–)

Bulgarian writer and historian. Name variations: Vera Moutafchieva. Born Vera Petrova Mutafchieva in Sofia, Bulgaria, Mar 28, 1929; dau. of Petûr Mutafchiev (1883–1943, historian) and Nadezhda Trifonova Mutafchieva (historian); Historical Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, MA, 1958, PhD, 1978; m. Jossif Krapchev; m. Atanas Slavov; children: 2 daughters.

Historian whose research concentrates on Ottomanrule in the Balkans, while novels deal with phases of Bulgaria's national evolution, published 1st study in Ottoman history (1960), followed by almost 70 books and articles over a 30-year span; though historical works were highly specialized and intended only for experts, quickly gained a reputation that extended beyond Bulgaria; while working at Sofia's Institute of Balkan Studies (1963–79), also began to write historical fiction, incorporating original historical documents into plots and experimenting with narrative and dialogue; hired as a professor at the national Institute of Literature (1979); after the collapse and repudiation of Communism in Bulgaria (1989), used her prestige to help bring about a successful transition to an open society; writings include Letopis na smutnoto vreme: Roman v dve chasti (Chronicle of the Times of Turbulence, 1965–66) and Poslednite Shishmanovtsi (The Last Shishmans, 1969); also adapted 2 of her novels, Zemya zavinagi (Land Forever, 1980) and Nepalnotie (Under Age, 1981), into film scripts and wrote the script for Khan Asparukh (released in US as The Glory of Khan 1981), based on her novel Preredcheno ot Pagane (Pagane's Prophecy, 1980). Received Gottfried von Herder Prize from University of Vienna (1980), Georgi Dimitrov Award (1981), City of Sofia Prize (1986), and John Panitsa Award (1995).

See also Women in World History.