Rene Karabash

Rene Karabash is the pen name of Irena Ivanova, a Bulgarian artist recognized for her work as an author, actor, poet, playwright, and screenwriter. Ivanova studied literature at the Catholic University of the West in Angers and earned a master's degree in film direction from New Bulgarian University. Her pen name combines her mother's maiden name and Renée, a nickname she acquired in France.

Karabash gained attention as a performer after receiving several Best Actress awards for her leading role in the film "Godless" by Ralitza Petrova, including a Silver Leopard at Locarno, The Heart of Sarajevo, an Aluminium Horse in Stockholm, and a Golden Rose in Varna. Her screen debut established her presence in the European film industry.

As a writer, Karabash has published works across multiple genres. Her books include "Hips and Butterflies," "She Who Remains," and "Zorbas's Cousin." Her first poetry collection, "Hips and Moths," was launched in London, at the University of Cambridge, and in Prague. The novel "She Who Remains" follows Bekija, a young woman in the Albanian mountains who becomes a sworn virgin to avoid an arranged marriage, triggering a blood feud and family disintegration. The novel received the Elias Canetti Prize, Bulgaria's most prestigious literary award, and was nominated for Novel of the Year from 13 Centuries Bulgaria and the Peroto national literary award. Translated into more than a dozen languages, the English-language edition, translated by Izidora Angel, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. A film adaptation by Karabash is in development. Her book of short prose, "Letters of Omar to His Future Wife," has achieved bestseller status.

Karabash also works as a theater director and playwright and has served as a scriptwriter for a movie series for Bulgarian National Television. She is the founder of The Rabbit Hole, an academy for creative writing that enrolls instructors from among Bulgaria's leading writers, screenwriters, and playwrights. Karabash's career spans poetry, fiction, film, and theater, contributing to her recognition in contemporary Bulgarian literature and cinema.