The Bulgarian Reception of Carmen Sylva in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century
The Bulgarian Reception of Carmen Sylva in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century

Author(s): Nadezhda Alexandrova
Subject(s): Cultural history, Social history, Romanian Literature, Translation Studies, Theory of Literature, Sociology of Literature
Published by: Addleton Academic Publishers
Keywords: Carmen Sylva; Bulgarian translations; literary reception; translation studies; cultural exchange; philanthropy; Ivan Shishmanov; transnational literature; royal influence; national identity;
Summary/Abstract: This chapter is the first critical glimpse of the Bulgarian translations of Carmen Sylva’s literary activities. It starts with a quantitative analysis of the twenty-four translations, found in books and newspapers, and categorized by their numbers, year and place of publication, occupation and gender of the translator. The influence of Carmen Sylva seems to grow right from the very beginning of her life as a royal persona. As early as the 1871 there are evidences of her philanthropic activities in favor of Bulgarian women’s association in Tărnovo. Then in 1904 the diary of the famous Bulgarian intellectual and politician Ivan Shishmanov provides clear signals of the beginning of an affectionate friendship with the queen during his official visit to Bucharest. After providing account of these interpersonal relations between Bulgarians and Carmen Sylva, this article continues with an analysis of the most frequent translations of her texts in Bulgarian. The prevailing topics concern the Medieval royal history, the wartime effects on family and community, as well as a more universal touch on humanism and compassion. Carmen Sylva’s works clearly show a point of convergence between the national agendas of the two neighboring countries, mirrored in literature.

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