Boris Aprilov Bulgarian children's writer and playwright Date of Birth: 21.03.1921 Country: Bulgaria

1. Early Life and Career
2. Literary Journey
3. Body of Work
4. The Fox Kit Tales
5. Publication History
6. Personal Life and Legacy

Early Life and Career

Boris Aprilov, a prominent Bulgarian children's author and playwright, was born and raised in Burgas, Bulgaria. From a young age, he demonstrated a talent for writing and published short stories, satirical articles, and poems in the local newspaper during his time at the Burgas Gymnasium.

Literary Journey

In 1947, Aprilov was invited to work for the satirical newspaper "Sturshel" ("Hornet"), which led him to relocate to Sofia. In 1959, he dedicated himself to literature and became a full-time author, relying on literary earnings for his livelihood. During the same period (1959-1963), he served as chief playwright and literary editor for the Bulgarian Circus Directorate. He later worked as a resident playwright and literary consultant at the Sliven Theater from 1963 to 1966.

Body of Work

Boris Aprilov authored over 10 children's books and numerous plays for theater, puppet shows, and television. Concurrently, he wrote and published satirical articles, novels, and plays for adult audiences. He also contributed to film screenplays and penned satires for adult audiences. His books and plays garnered recognition both in Bulgaria and abroad. Four films were produced based on his screenplays, including the highly acclaimed "The Five from Moby Dick" (1970). Aprilov's works also extended to radio plays, television shows, and children's television series.

The Fox Kit Tales

Aprilov's most famous series of books is the "Fox Kit Tales," which feature the adventures of a young fox named Lisko. These stories defy easy categorization, seamlessly blending elements of satire, parable, grotesque, lyricism, humor, and even occasional political commentary. The texts are primarily composed of dialogue, juxtaposing a seemingly carefree childish tone with the use of adult vocabulary and the exploration of serious moral issues.

Publication History

The six novellas in the "Fox Kit Tales" series were initially published separately in Bulgaria. In 1971, they were collected under the title "New Adventures of Lisko." Four years later, "The Newest Adventures of Lisko" (1975) was released, containing two additional novellas. Aprilov initially hesitated to publish the final two novellas, "The Wall" and "The Blue Bird." However, in 1987, all ten stories were compiled into a single volume. A definitive six-volume edition of the series was published in 1999 by the Bulgarian publisher "Fyut," featuring illustrations by Elena Pydareva.

Personal Life and Legacy

Aprilov was affectionately known by his friends as "Aho," after the name of a character from Eugène Sue's novel "The Wandering Jew." He spent the last years of his life (1990-1995) in Tel Aviv, where he penned the adult novel "Traversetown." Boris Aprilov left an enduring legacy as a talented and versatile Bulgarian author, entertaining and enlightening generations of young readers and adults alike.