Bulgaria is to join celebrations commemorating one of 20th century masterpieces James Joyce's Ulysses on June 16, or so called Bloomsday.

Literature fans from all over the world each year pay tribute to the Irish novel and its author James Joyce by participating in numerous events, organized at the day, when the entire novel is put on stage.

Bulgarians will be able to mark for the first time Bloomsday by joining a 24-hour literary reading of the Bulgarian translation of the classic novel, organized at the Red House Culture Center in Sofia.

The reading starts June 16 at 8:00 am and will continue without interruption until 8:00 am on the next day.

The book, which entered world's most prestigious ratings as the best novel of the 20th century, was first translated in Bulgarian last year by one of most renowned Bulgarian translators Iglika Vassileva.

Besides the Ulysses reading on Bloomsday audience can also enjoy Irish films shown at the culture center.

The name Bloomsday is derived from Leopold Bloom, the name of the central character in the book.

The first celebration took place in 1954 and a major five month-long festival (ReJoyce Dublin 2004) took place in Dublin between April 1 and August 31, 2004. On the Sunday prior to the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday (2004) 10,000 people in Dublin were treated to a free open air breakfast on O'Connell Street consisting of sausages, rashers, and black and white puddings.

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