Vick Foundation

for|the charitable organization set up by Newport News, Virginia native Michael Vick and his family|Michael Vick

The Vick Foundation was established by Edward Vick (founder of [http://www.evs-evs.com EVS Translations] ) in February 2004 to award an annual prize for best Bulgarian novel. Vick's initiative was acclaimed by those who saw in the prize a new opportunity for the Bulgarian literature after almost 15 years of standstill. There is also a competition for the most popular short-listed book, based on votes cast by the general public. In 2008, the award will celebrate its 5th year anniversary and the Foundation is on the path to becoming an instituition in Bulgaria.

A permanent committee, which includes Stefan Danailov, the current Minister of Culture of Bulgaria, elects а jury. The jury changes each year and they select a short list of six Bulgarian novels from which the winner is chosen. One of the member making up the 2008 jury is Meglena Kuneva, the current European commissioner in Bulgaria.

The winning author receives a cash award of BGN 10,000, with the option of a free translation of the novel into English. The aim of the foundation is also to enable others to gain access into Bulgarian literature, especially for the literary world beyond Bulgaria.

"Amazonkata na Varoe" (Varoe’s Amazon) by Prof. Boyan Biolchev, Sofia University Rector, was the 2006 Vick Prize Winner.

The award ceremony each year is well-attended by members of Bulgarian society and journalist, as can be seen by the [http://www.vickfoundation.com/bg/gallery.html photo gallery on the website] . The event is covered by TV channels in Bulgaria and causes quite a media furor annually. KariZa and other well-known performers have graced the stages during the award ceremony and the ceremonies are known to be of much entertainment value.

External links

* [http://www.vickfoundation.com/en/index.html Official site]
* [http://www.evs-evs.com EVS Translations]
* [http://www.vickfoundation.com/en/edward_vick.html About Edward Vick]
* [http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/nominees-for-novel-of-the-year-award-announced/id_30117/catid_70?bulletinstat=1 "Sofia Echo" reports on short-listed novels]