Konstantin Pavlov is the most prominent contemporary Bulgarian poet and screenwriter, an author of a remarkably original style, and a person of strong individuality. He is among the few writers who dared to defend their personal and artistic independence during the time the totalitarian regime was in power. Because of his independence, he was not officially recognized, and his name was hardly mentioned except in a derogatory manner. Nevertheless, since his first books appeared, his popularity has been great. Although the poet could not publish his works for a long time, his poems were copied and read, and the most outstanding among his fellow poets have acknowledged his talent and moral superiority.

Konstantin Mirchev Pavlov was born on 2 April 1933 in the village Popovo (renamed Vitoshko in 1944 and later deserted) in the district of Sofia. His parents were simple people with little education, his father having never gone beyond...