Statue Of Asen Zlatarov

Asen Hristov Zlatarov was born in Haskovo on February 4, 1885. He studied chemistry in Geneva after graduating from high school in Bulgaria. He received his doctorate in chemistry and physics from the University of Grenoble in 1908, when he was just 23 years old. At the years that followed, he specialized in Munich, where he was well acclaimed, but upon completion of his specialty, he chose to return to Bulgaria to contribute to the advancement of Bulgarian research.

He began working as a student assistant at Sofia University. Soon after, the aspirant scientist started to advance academically, becoming an associate professor of biochemistry in 1922 and an associate professor in 1924. He obtained the highest award in 1935, when he was appointed full professor at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” an honor bestowed upon just a few in those days. Prof. Zlatarov contributes to the advancement of biochemistry internationally, and he is properly referred to as “the father of biochemistry in Bulgaria” in our country.

Prof. Zlatarov is also involved in popularizing science via popular science articles and publications, as well as literature and literary criticism. The professor says the following in connection with his numerous activities: “Art is a social phenomena that should benefit the public. There is no art for the sake of art, just as there is no science for the sake of science. Asen Zlatarov, a prominent Bulgarian scientist, publicist, writer, public personality, and man, died on December 22, 1936.

Prof. Asen Zlatarov’s bust may be seen at Zaimov Park, near the Sofia Theater. It was established in 1996 with personal and public contributions on the initiative of the club “Assen Zlatarov.”