The work he dedicated himself to until his very last day has now been officially presented.
Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Prof. Iliev is aware of his cosmopolitan nature—a man of astonishing work ethic, remarkably diverse pursuits and talents, boundless curiosity, and a vast arsenal of knowledge. I will take the liberty of quoting from the conclusion of his swan song:
"I could write many more pages about the Spirit of the Himalayas, but I choose to stop here. The topics I have explored are among the most frequently discussed—not only in academic circles but also among those fascinated by the vast Asian continent. Whether in search of authentic or esoteric knowledge, we are all part of humanity’s great journey to uncover the deepest secrets of our planet… I conclude this opus with the hope that I have, in some way, slightly lifted the veil shrouding the mysteries of this magnificent mountain… Nikolai Roerich once said, 'The traveling man expands his consciousness.' I am one of those people. I hope I have gained new kindred spirits along the way."
The Spirit of the Himalayas is not just a book about the great Asian mountains—it carries invaluable historical insights about various ethnic groups, as well as philosophy and spirituality unknown to modern civilization.
Woven into this vast sea of knowledge are the author's personal experiences—vivid, entertaining, shocking, unfiltered, and deeply captivating!
I am endlessly grateful to Alexander Iliev for trusting us and for the years we worked together. At the same time, I deeply regret the missed opportunities to learn even more from him.
I firmly believe that the significance of all his works is yet to be fully realized. Everyone who turns the pages—now and in the future—will be touched by the spirit of an extraordinary man.
Elka Dimitrova