24.12.2023 © Novelius Literature

We had a friendly interview with writer Gergana Lapteva via e-mail. Before moving on to the questions and answers section, we would like to briefly introduce our guest. Gergana Lapteva is a contemporary Bulgarian writer who writes novels in the historical fiction, thriller and adventure genres. Born in Sofia in 1977, Lapteva graduated from the Ilya Petrov School of Fine Arts with a specialization in painting. She completed her higher education at Sofia University, St. Kliment Ohridiski completed her studies in the field of “Paleontology”.

Lapteva, who wrote three travelogues about South America and Antarctica, is also the author of the novels The Coin (2020), Divine Fragrance (2021), The Secret of Apamea (2022) and The Third Layer (2023), which are based on historical facts. The author currently serves as the Head of Culture in Bulgaria’s Antarctic mission.

(English)  Please, click here for the Turkish version of the interview.

(İngilizce)  Röportajın Türkçe versiyonu için lütfen buraya tıklayın. 

For detailed information about Gergana Lapteva, you can access her personal website, www.gerganalapteva.com.

If you’re ready, it’s time to interview!

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Dear Lapteva, we tried to introduce you briefly. What would you like to add to this introduction? Who is Gergana Lapteva and what does writing mean to you?

Gergana Lapteva:

It’s hard to describe yourself. I am a person who likes to travel, get to know new places, people and cultures, read, write and share about the things I learn and experience. I love the sun and the sea, good people, long walks, adventure, laughter and the sense of freedom that books and travel give me. I haven’t come back from one trip yet and I’m starting to plan the next one.

As for writing, my grandfather was a writer and my father an artist, so art has always been present in some form in my life. I also graduated from the Art School in Sofia with a major in “Painting”. After that, however, I took a different path. I studied geology, and then specialized in paleontology at Sofia University. I managed to combine these seemingly unrelated fields when I started working at the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute under Prof. Christo Pimpirev, where I was involved in the organization of Bulgarian expeditions to Antarctica. I would like to point out that for several years we have been actively cooperating with the Turkish Center for Polar Research – TÜBITAK-MAM in the person of Prof. Burcu Özsoy.

But what I always wanted was to be a writer. For me, writing is magic – a way to express myself. From the birth of the story in my mind to its transfer to the white sheet. From the characters I bring to life to turning them into individuals who live their own lives. They fall in love, break up, suffer and rejoice, and you have the power to guide and direct them in the direction you wish. But you have to do it in a way that touches the readers and makes them experience it all with you, feel the emotions you felt while you were writing and turn page after page without wanting to stop and so until the very end.

Writing and reading a book is like a private conversation. It is an intimate experience between the reader and the author, which, however, continues beyond the last page.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

You must have an interesting and pleasant life. I know you have been to many parts of the world, including Antarctica. How did these experiences affect your ability to write?

Gergana Lapteva:

Yes, I was lucky that my profession gives me the freedom to travel to some of the most remote places on Earth. In addition to the organization of the expeditions, I also deal with the institute’s cultural activities. I also love photography. Thus, traveling and collecting impressions, information and footage from different latitudes, I also wrote my first travelogue “South direction – journey to Antarctica”, telling about how the Bulgarian polar explorers reach our base on Livingston Island and what dangers and challenges they face. Another one followed – “Gate of the Gods”, in which I described the history and culture of the countries in South America.

What I really wanted, however, was through my books to be able to tell stories about interesting people, events and places that take us back to the past and make us better understand the present, but at the same time convey the purely human relationships in the surrounding our world. Thus appeared my first novel “The Coin”, followed by “Divine Fragrance”, “The Secret of Apamea”, and “The Third Layer”. For their publication, I am eternally grateful to the Egmont publishing house, for trusting me.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

I have three related questions:

• What kind of books do you read?
• Who are our favorite writers from Bulgarian and world literature?
• What are your three favorite books?

Gergana Lapteva:

• I read a variety of literature, but I prefer books with a historical focus. Ones you can learn from. In my opinion, for a book to be interesting and to excite the reader, it must also teach something, and the stories in it must be conveyed in a way that is both intriguing and informative. I like historical thrillers, biographical novels and books related to travel and places of interest.
• Among the foreign writers, my favorites are Dan Brown and Tom Egeland, as well as José Rodríguez dos Santos, Walter Ellis and Umberto Eco. I also like the books of Elif Şafak and Defne Suman.
• Among the Bulgarian authors, I like the works of Georgi Gospodinov and Georgi Burdarov.
• “Hell” by Dan Brown, “The Beekeeper of Aleppo” by Christy Leftery and “The Russian Ballerina” by Daphne Calotai.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Could you tell us about your impressions about Turkey?

Gergana Lapteva:

Turkey for me is more than a favorite country. It preserves the history, culture and traditions of several civilizations. The combination of natural, archeological and modern sights make Turkey a magnet for travelers like me. There are also some of the most beautiful and interesting cities, localities and of course beaches.

I travel often to different places in Turkey. I know Istanbul, of course, which is amazing and I will never get enough of enjoy it. Among the places that impressed me are Gaziantep, Urfa, Halfeti, Mardin, Midiyat, Cappadocia and Pamukkale. Also the Mediterranean coast. However, the city I fell in love with at first sight is Side in Antalya. I was there on vacation a few years ago and I liked it so much that now there is a small apartment there where I spend the summer and more. I am now planning to be there for New Year.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Is there any progress in your project to bring your books to Turkish readers?

Gergana Lapteva:

This is something I dream about. In several of my novels, the action takes place in Turkey. These are the “Secret of Apamea”, “The Coin” and the “Third Layer”. That is why I would very much like them to be translated into Turkish so that they can be distributed there as well. The opinion of the Turkish readers will be extremely interesting and valuable to me.

The publishing house I work with – Egmont is an international publishing house and is also based in Turkey. I have the assurance of the editors that in the near future the books will be translated and reach the Turkish market. I hope this happens soon.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

I must say that I found the information I obtained about your novel called The Coin exciting. If this novel of yours is translated into Turkish, I would definitely like to read it… The Coin has an interesting subject. Tour guide Mira and Journalist Stefan’s paths cross in Side, Antalya and they embark on a great adventure that will extend from Bulgaria to Turkey and from there to the Mediterranean and Italy. Historical facts and mafia structures should also have a special importance in your fiction. Could you tell us about the subject of this novel and what it means to you as the person who wrote it?

Gergana Lapteva:

“The Coin” is my first novel, and perhaps that is why it is also the most valuable to me. The idea of writing it was born during my first visit to Side, which I mentioned. Shortly thereafter, I came across an article that described the capture of a man and woman at the Sofia airport who were smuggling ancient coins to Italy. I got curious and looked for more information. It turned out that there are many such cases. Each one intrigued me more and more. Finally, I had so much data on the smuggling of antiquities and valuables worldwide that I decided it was a topic worth talking about and informing the public about. That’s how the novel appeared.

I think it touches on a very important and relevant topic of our time. The traffic problem common to the whole world. Fortunately, there are also artifacts that have been captured and returned to the countries they belong to. This gives hope, but unfortunately, criminal groups are also very resourceful.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Let’s talk about your novel called The Third Layer… It attracts attention with its plot similar to typical Dan Brown novels. Papal history, Bulgarian history, secrets of the past and much more come to light after the discovery of a hidden layer in a historical canvas… Which of your books, The Third Layer or others, would you like to be adapted into a movie? And why?

Gergana Lapteva:

Yes, in “The Third Layer” I tell stories that somewhat approach those in Dan Brown’s novels. I cannot help but be influenced by his work, but also in this book I emphasize a part of the history of Medieval Europe and Bulgaria, which is very important for my country. The topic of the murder of one of the greatest Bulgarian kings – King Kaloyan, about whose death there are many conspiracies and unknowns, is also touched upon. I tried through the pages of the novel to recreate the events of eight centuries ago and reveal facts that few people know. Of course, as in my other novels, I draw on the research of historians and archaeologists.

The book tells about Venice, Rome, Istanbul and Constantinople and Veliko Tarnovo – Capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.

I would be very happy if this particular book was turned into a movie one day, because the events I am talking about are really some of the most important in the history of that time.

In fact, when I write a book, I always imagine it as a movie. In my mind, the characters and what happens to them moves like a tape, I hear their conversations, I see the places where the action takes place. So, any of the books could be made into a movie.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Are there any Turkish writers you read?

Gergana Lapteva:

Before, I mainly knew the books of Orhan Pamuk and Elif Şafak, but lately more and more Turkish authors are being translated in Bulgaria. I have already mentioned Defne Suman, who  soon was visiting Sofia at the Book Fair and presented her novels “Istanbul Rhapsody” and “Daughter of Smyrna”. I am currently reading “The Longest Night” by Ahmet Altan.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Life is a big rush and we are all time poor. Can you spare enough time for your reading and writing activities? Could you tell us about your reading and writing habits?

Gergana Lapteva:

Yes, life seems to be a continuous race against time, and it is never enough for what we want, or at least not enough.

I try to combine my work at the Antarctic Institute with writing. In my spare time I like to read, that’s how I really relax. Whether I’m in the mountains, on the beach or somewhere else, I always carry a book with me.

As for writing, things are a little different there. The special thing about my books is that working on each one of them requires a lot of time, preparation, research of facts and events, but above all dedication. For me, this whole process is a real challenge, but also a great pleasure. First of all, I have to search and sift through the existing information about a given area or event. A consultation with various specialists follows, as I try to be as objective and accurate as possible. The other important factor is personal impression. I want to convey everything in the first person. I travel a lot. It has become a way of life for me. During these travels, I learn a lot, discover new worlds, cultures and traditions for me, meet interesting people, and accordingly I want to convey these feelings in the novels. Along with that, for a book to be interesting and excite the reader, it must also teach something, and this is exactly the task before me – to convey the stories in a way that is both intriguing and informative. After I have collected enough information, facts and impressions, the actual writing process begins. I try to spend at least 4-5 hours a day when I write, sometimes when the story consumes me even more.

I really love this alone time with my heroes!

Mehmet Bahçeci:

Are there any new projects you are working on? If so, what are their contents?

Gergana Lapteva:

Yes, I have already submitted the text for my new novel to the publisher. It is called “The Girl in the Portrait” and tells the story of two women – one living in the 1920s and the other in the present day. One way or another, their fates are intertwined and they visit the same places with a time difference of nearly a hundred years.

The action takes place in Sofia, Bulgaria and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

One storyline tells about one of the bloodiest assassinations in the modern history of Bulgaria – the assassination in the church of “St. Nedelya” in Sofia, in which more than three hundred people died and as many were injured. The second storyline reveals the stories of several generations of Bulgarians who emigrated to Argentina at the beginning of the last century.

Of course there is love, challenges and a portrait that hides many secrets.

The special thing about this novel is that it includes real stories and narratives of Bulgarians living in Argentina, descendants of those immigrants from a hundred years ago.

Mehmet Bahçeci:

First of all, thank you very much for your sincere answers. Reading your works in Turkish will be a pleasant experience for us.

And one last question…

What do you expect from the new year? Do you have a message you would like to convey to your readers?

Gergana Lapteva:

I always wish health for me, my relatives and friends! This is the most important.

I also want to tell the readers to be able to appreciate the present and what it offers us. We cannot change what has already happened. We can’t know what’s to come. But we are here now, living in the present moment, and in it are all the possibilities in the world. Follow your heart and dreams and keep believing and loving.

I also thank you very much for the interview and the good questions. I hope it will be equally interesting for the readers.

I wish you much success, Mehmet!

24.12.2023 © Novelius Literature