Aleko Konstantinov

Aleko Konstantinov, writing under the affectionate pen name 'Shtastlivetsa' ('The Lucky One'), was born on January 1, 1863, in Svishtov. After graduating in law from the University of Odessa, Konstantinov worked as a magistrate and lawyer in Sofia, fearlessly opposing political corruption and electoral violence.

In 1893, he visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, penning the brilliant travelogue To Chicago and Back. In 1895, he published Bay Ganyo, a masterwork of satirical fiction portraying an unprincipled, uncouth rose-oil trader traveling Europe and rigging elections, satirizing corrupt Balkan opportunism. On May 23, 1897, Konstantinov was tragically assassinated near Pazardzhik by political assassins aiming for politician Mihail Takev.