Nevena Kokanova

The first lady of the Bulgarian cinema was born on December 12, 1938 in the town of Dupnitsa, south-western Bulgaria. Nevena Kokanova made her start in arts at the age of 18 at the Yambol Theatre without having any special education, and debuted in the cinema with the movie Godini za lyubov (Years for Love). Thus, one of the most impressive paths in the history of Bulgarian theatre and movies began. In the 1960s and 1970s Kokanova became a symbol of the national cinema, embodying personality, charming temper and unique womanliness. Kokanova played more than 50 parts, one of the most remembering being Irina in Tyutyun (Tobacco, 1962) and grievous and passionate Liza in Kradetsat na praskovi (The Peach Thief, 1964). The audience and the critics highly praised her acting as Ana in Karambol (Crack-Up, 1966), Gerda in Dah na bademi (Taste of Almonds, 1967), Neda in Otklonenie (Sidetracked, 1967), which Blaga Dimitrova wrote especially for her, and many others. In 1969 she featured in the movie of the famous Italian director Liliana Cavani – Galileo. Nevena Kokanova won prizes at the Varna festival, and the Golden Camera award of the Union of the Bulgarian Moviemakers. Nevena Kokanova passed away on June 3, 2000.