Ilija_Trojanow-1342

Iliya
Troyanov

Iliya Troyanov (also known as Ilija Trojanow and Ilya Troyanov) was born in 1965 in Sofia. His family fled Bulgaria in 1971, arriving in Germany, where they received political asylum. They travelled to Kenya in1972, where his father had work. After a stay in Paris, he studied law and ethnology at Munich University. He founded two publishers specialising in African literature. He has since lived in Mumbai, Cape Town and Austria. He now lives in Vienna. He initially wrote books about travel as well as translating African literature into German but has since also written several novels.

Iliya Troyanov (also known as Ilija Trojanow and Ilya Troyanov) was born in 1965 in Sofia. His family fled Bulgaria in 1971, arriving in Germany, where they received political asylum. They travelled to Kenya in1972, where his father had work. After a stay in Paris, he studied law and ethnology at Munich University. He founded two publishers specialising in African literature. He has since lived in Mumbai, Cape Town and Austria. He now lives in Vienna. He initially wrote books about travel as well as translating African literature into German but has since also written several novels.

artwork-image

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

RELATED FEATURES

Video April 7 2026

The 2026 Shortlist

Discover this year's Dublin Literary Award Shortlist
News April 7 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Shortlist is Announced

Delve into the 6 novels shortlisted this year.
News April 2 2026

Past Winner Spotlight: Michael Crummey

Reflecting on his 2025 Dublin Literary Award win with his novel 'The Adversary', libraries, literature and more.
News March 11 2026

Translator Spotlight: Jo Heinrich

Reflecting on translating the 2023 winning novel 'Marzahn, Mon Amour' and life as a literary translator.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.