14 Facts About Lidia Shishmanova

Lidia Shishmanova was a Ukrainian and Bulgarian writer, journalist, theatre and music critic, translator and social activist.

Lidia Shishmanova was born Lidia Drahomanova, on 17 October 1866 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Lidia Shishmanova's father was a philosopher, historian, and folklorist Professor Mykhailo Drahomanov, and her mother a famous actress, Ludmila Drahomanova.

Lidia Shishmanova received a degree from the Faculty of Philology of the University of Geneva.

The couple moved to Bulgaria in 1889, where Lidia Shishmanova established herself as an active public figure in the areas of women's rights, the development of Bulgarian art and culture and presenting the cause of Bulgaria in Europe after the Balkan Wars.

In 1896, Lidia Shishmanova published a book in France as part of series entitled A collection of folk songs and tales.

Lidia Shishmanova wrote for other Bulgarian publications such as Bulgarian review, Freedom of opinion, Bulgarian collection, Peace, Journal of Women, and Women's Voice.

Lidia Shishmanova wrote in Ukrainian for Ukraine, Rada, Dilo and New Ukraine.

Lidia Shishmanova wrote for the French newspaper La Bulgarie for many years, promoting Bulgarian culture, literature and arts.

Lidia Shishmanova wrote numerous articles on the politics in Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Balkans and Western Europe, as well on the scientific achievements of the time, and on women's rights in Bulgaria.

Lidia Shishmanova was a member of the Association of Women with Higher Education, was a founder of the Club of the Bulgarian writers in 1930, and the League of English speakers, Society for Peace and Freedom where she served as the vice-president of the Bulgarian section of the International League for Peace and Freedom.

Lidia Shishmanova was a member of the Bulgarian Women's Union and the Society of Esperanto in Bulgaria.

Lidia Shishmanova was the vice-president of the first music company based in Sofia.

Lidia Shishmanova advocated strongly with others for the development of Bulgarian theatre, aiding in the construction of a special building for the needs of the theatre in Sofia, and organising lectures by specialists before performances to prepare the public with information about the author, themes, or central ideas.