Ilija Trojanow grew up in Sofia before his family fled the People's Republic of Bulgaria in 1971, eventually seeking political asylum in West Germany. This early displacement influenced a career characterized by global movement, encompassing residence in Nairobi, Mumbai, Cape Town, and Vienna, while establishing him as a significant presence in contemporary European literature as a novelist, translator, and journalist.
Early Life and Education
Following his family's flight through Yugoslavia and Italy, Trojanow lived in Nairobi from 1972 until 1984, attending the German School Nairobi. He later moved to West Germany to pursue higher education, studying law and ethnology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München between 1985 and 1989. His formative years were marked by frequent relocations across continents, a pattern that would recur throughout his professional life.
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Trojanow established his own publishing houses early in his career, founding Kyrill-und-Method-Verlag in 1989 and Marino-Verlag in 1992, both dedicated to African literature. His own writing output includes travelogues, non-fiction, and novels. His 1996 debut novel, Die Welt ist groß und Rettung lauert überall, addressed his family’s experiences as refugees, later adapted into a 2007 film directed by Stefan Komandarev. His work spans various forms, including the internet-based novel Autopol and reportage on his pilgrimage to Mecca, Zu den heiligen Quellen des Islam.
Themes and Major Recognition
His 2006 novel, Der Weltensammler—published in English as The Collector of Worlds—drew inspiration from the life of British colonial officer Richard Francis Burton, tracing paths across India, Saudi Arabia, and Tanzania. This work earned him the Leipzig Book Fair Prize. Other notable awards include the Heinrich-Böll-Preis in 2017 and the Usedom Literature Prize in 2018. His writing frequently explores issues of surveillance, freedom of expression, and cultural intersection, notably in his 2013 criticism of the National Security Agency.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Citizenship: Austria, Germany, Bulgaria
- Education: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Notable Work: The Collector of Worlds
- Major Award: Leipzig Book Fair Prize (2006)
- Residence: Vienna, Austria
- Languages: German
Questions readers ask
What is the primary theme of his 2006 novel, The Collector of Worlds?
The novel is inspired by the biography and travel writings of British colonial officer Richard Francis Burton, detailing travels through India, Saudi Arabia, and Tanzania.
Why was Trojanow denied entry into the United States in 2013?
The reasons for the denial of entry were undisclosed, though it occurred during a period when he was vocal about his criticism of government surveillance by the National Security Agency.
Achievements
- Adelbert von Chamisso Prize — 2000
- Leipzig Book Fair Prize/Fiction — 2006
- Notable work: The Collector of Worlds
- Genres: prose
