Doyen of journalism Ivan Garelov has died

Following a prolonged illness, journalist Ivan Garelov has passed away in the early hours on September 3. The sad news was announced by "Pirogov" emergency hospital, where he was admitted for treatment after suffering a traumatic head injury in a serious incident in the seaside resort "Sveti Vlas".

Garelov is one of the doyens of Bulgarian journalism. In 1972, he started work at the Bulgarian National Television, where he spent most of his professional career. His first job was a reporter.

Later, Garelov he became the host of “Panorama” weekly political talkshow of the Bulgarian National Television. He was a long-time anchor of the show – for 21 years.

At BNT he also created the evening journalistic programme "Team 4".

On 11 September 2000, for a short period of time, he joined Nova TV as head of News and Current Affairs.

In 2004 he became the host of the TV game "Vote of confidence" on bTV.

In 2011, he was a presenter on the TV channel "BTV". In 2011, Garelov co-founded Circle 11, which organizes the annual St. Vlas TV Journalism Awards. In 2017, he became a media adviser in the caretaker government of Ognian Gerdzhikov, but was later dismissed. The same year, he ran for director general of BNT.

Over the years, Garelov has covered events in Cyprus and Greece, interviewing a number of statesmen and prominent personalities from our southern neighbour.

Ivan Garelov is the author of numerous books, the latest of which is about the conflict in the Middle East. The book is a first-person account of events.

Garelov was working on his latest book at "Sveti Vlas" resort this year when he suffered the brain injury.

Bulgarian National Television is changing its programme in memory of Bulgarian journalism legend Ivan Garelov. Tonight, after the main newscast, BNT 1 will broadcast a film about Ivan Garelov with author Evgeniya Atanasova.

The management and staff of the Bulgarian National Television express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ivan Garelov.

Images by BTA, BGNES