On December 7, 2024, a literary meeting was held at Espace Art Gallery in Brussels with one of the brightest contemporary Bulgarian authors, René Karabash (Irena Ivanova). The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Belgium and attracted representatives from cultural and literary circles, the Bulgarian community, and literature enthusiasts.

The meeting was the culmination of a two-day program dedicated to the novel Ostaynitsa, which has achieved remarkable success on the international stage. On December 6, 2024, a special event for foreign audiences and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Brussels was held at the Embassy. The event took place in an exceptionally warm atmosphere, with guests highly impressed and deeply satisfied by the inspiring presence and profound discussion led by René Karabash and prof. Marie Vrinant.

The novel, which has won the prestigious Elias Canetti Award, was translated into French by the distinguished translator and winner of the PEN Club France award, Prof. Marie Vrinant, who was a special guest at the event. Prof. Vrinant is the only translator of Bulgarian literature whose native language is French. She teaches translation and Bulgarian language and literature at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris (INALCO). She has translated about fifty books by classical and contemporary Bulgarian authors into French. She was awarded the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa by Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" for her outstanding contribution to Bulgarian culture. Prof. Vrinant shared with the audience her journey to the Bulgarian language and its literary richness, as well as the challenges and pleasures of translation.

The discussion was moderated by Rada Gankova, a translator and founder of the literary club "Zapiski pod Vyzglavkata" in Brussels. The guests had the opportunity to enjoy an insightful conversation about literature, the creative process, and the inspirations behind the novel Ostaynitsa.

René Karabash is among the most prominent contemporary Bulgarian authors, with numerous literary and film awards. Besides being a writer, she is recognized for her work in cinema and theatre and for founding the writer's academy "Zaeshka Dupka." Her creative portfolio also includes poetry collections “Bratovchedka na Zorbas” and “Khalbotsi i Peperudi”.

The event concluded with an inspiring discussion and heartfelt words from the attendees, who expressed their admiration for the meeting with two exceptional women and their contribution to promoting Bulgarian literature worldwide.