He was born in Sopot (27.06/09.07. 1850) in the family of a wealthy merchant. His brothers are famous army leaders Georgi Vazov, Vladimir Vazov and Boris Vazov – a politician. Ivan Vazov graduated in Sopot. In 1865-1866 Botyo Petkov taught him Greek in Kalofer and later he became his assistant. He continued his education in Plovdiv Diocesan school “St.St Kiril and Metodi”. In 1870 his father sent him to Oltenitsa, Romania to study at business school.
Here Vazov became closer friend with Bulgarian emigrants rebels. He met Hristo Botev who inspired him in his political views and as a poet as well. In 1872-1873 he was a teacher in Mustafa Pasha (present city of Svilengrad) and in 1875 he returned to Sopot to take part in the local rebel society. After the April Uprising he moved in Bucharest, Romania and worked as a secretary in the Central Bulgarian Charity Organization.
During the Russo-Turkish war (1877-1878) he worked at the office of the Governor or Russe and Svishtov. After The Liberation Vazov became a chairman of the City Court in Berkovitsa. In 1880-1886 he lived in Plovdiv where he actively participated in the cultural and political life in Eastern Rumelia. He was a member of the Bulgarian Parliament, member of the Constant Committee (1880-1885) and a chairman of the Local Assembly (1884-1885).
After the counter coup and the dethronement of Prince Alexander I Batemberg (in August, 1886) as a prominent Russophile he was forced to abandon Bulgaria and move to Odesa. He returns back in Bulgaria in 1889 and settles down in Sofia. In the following years he lives in hotels and private rooms. Finally in 1895 he bought his own house in downtown of Sofia. Again he took actively participation in the political life of the National Party. He was elected as a member of the Parliament in the VIII National Assembly (1894-1896), and as a Minister of national education in the third cabinet of Dr. Konstantin Stoilov (1987-1899). He participated in the official delegation sent to improve the political relations with Russia.
In the beginning of the XX century he retired from the active political life but in 1911 he was elected again as a member of the Parliament for the V Great National Assembly. In 1920 with a huge ceremony was celebrated his 70th anniversary. Vazov died in Sofia. His grave is in the backyard of the basilica Saint Sofia.
Vazov is the Patriach of the Bulgarian literature. He worked in all genres of literature. His works are democratic and humanistic, closely linked to the struggles, sufferings and aspirations of the people of Bulgaria. The society in Sofia and Sofia Municipality testify their respect to Ivan Vazov in many ways. In his own house on the corner of Rakovski Street and Ivan Vazov street in 1926 was established the first Bulgarian Museum of literature. In the individual rooms is located an artistic-documentary exhibition. The most striking is the cabinet of Vazov. There are a district and a market named after Ivan Vazov. National theater`s name is also “Ivan Vazov”. In front of the basilica Saint Sofia is placed the monument of the Patriarch of the Bulgarian literature. The monument was created by Ivan Blazhev in the 50s’ of the last century. The national poet is depicted with a book in his hand and his gaze is directed towards to the future. Vazov is a patron of schools and community centers in Sofia.
