“A Smithy for Men” or... The Conscription in the Minds of Bulgarians During Socialism Cover Image

"Ковачница за мъже" или ... задължителната наборна казарма в представите на българина през Социализма
“A Smithy for Men” or... The Conscription in the Minds of Bulgarians During Socialism

Author(s): Iliya Valev
Subject(s): History, Anthropology, Social Sciences, Customs / Folklore, Military history, Oral history, Social history, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Culture and social structure , History of Communism, Post-Communist Transformation
Published by: Великотърновски университет „Св. св. Кирил и Методий”
Keywords: Conscription; military service; socialism; gender attitudes

Summary/Abstract: One widespread proverb in Bulgaria, knowing some different versions, says that “Man, who did not passed conscription is not a man”, “A boy, who failed to enter military service is second-hand man”, “A man, who has not walked as a soldier knows nothing”. What exactly is conscription according to public understanding of Bulgarians? What attitudes have the society to compulsory conscription? Frontier of what is the portal on the military unit? These and other issues related to conscription during socialism will be explored.

  • Issue Year: XXII/2014
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 236-250
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Bulgarian