Vera Mutafchieva (1929 – 2009) – a librarian, researcher, writer and publicist, she was one of the founders of the Institute of Balkan Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. She was conferred the Doctor Honoris Causa degree by Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski in 1999 and by New Bulgarian University in 2000. In 2004 she was elected Academician at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Her tremendous academic achievements included being a Head of the Centre for Ancient Languages and Cultures, Director of the Bulgarian Research Institute in Austria and many more. She authored numerous articles in the fields of Ottoman and Balkan studies and a multitude of popular articles. Mutafchieva published more than 35 novels, most of which have undergone multiple editions and have been translated into 11 languages. Following 10 reprints in Bulgaria The Case of Cem was translated into 11 languages and appeared in 29 foreign publications. She was the screenwriter of the first Bulgarian superproduction Khan Asparuh (1981). For her creative work and research Vera Mutafchieva received an impressive number of various national and international academic and literary awards. Her historical novels, short stories, memoirs and literary and journalistic essays still enjoy a long life in the national memory.