АРБАНАСИ ПРЕЗ ОСМАНСКАТА ЕПОХА (XV – XIX в.)

Author(s): Veselin Goranchev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2017

This article presents information about the history of the village of Arbanasi situated in the close proximity of the town of Veliko Tarnovo. The theses of the researchers working on the problem of the origin of the village are stated in it. The analysis of the information presses the view that most likely Arbanasi was founded either in the second half of the 15th century or in the beginning of the 16th century. The publication gives demographic datum about the village and information about the participation of its inhabitants in the struggle for national liberation. The economic development of the village is examined in details as well as the development of the educational work in it. The text is based on a wide range of studies and the information known so far is complemented with new facts obtained from historical records in Greek from the private archives of Georgy Popsimeonov – one of the most educated inhabitants of Arbanasi in those days (“St. Cyril and St. Methodius” National Library – Bulgarian Historical Archive,fund 36) and from the private archives of one of the most outstanding Arbanasi resident families – the Rusovich (State Archives – Veliko Tarnovo, fund 963K). The deciphering and the translation of the historical documents have been done by the author of the publication.

НИКИТА ХОНИАТ СРЕЩУ МАНУИЛ I КОМНИН: ПОЛЕМИКА, СВЪРЗАНА С ИСЛЯМА, В КОНТЕКСТА НА ВИЗАНТИЙСКАТА ТРАДИЦИЯ

Author(s): Dimitar Yordanov Dimitrov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2016

Byzantine society had very complex relations with the Islamic Eastern neighbors. Islam, to be sure, started and continued to be menace for Byzantium for the all long eighth centuries they used to coexist. However, Byzantine society needed a certain period of time to accept Islam as another religion, standing against Christianity in the East. After the first Byzantine revenge acts against Judaism a long tradition was formed with two main streams. The first of them envisaged Islam as a demoniac pseudo-religion (or anti-religion), the second being milder and ready to accept the Islamic neighbors not as a whole, but rather as different states, culturally not so different from Byzantium, with diplomacy playing role for keeping balance in the East. Thus, the Byzantine Real politik appeared as a phenomenon, what provoked crusaders to accuse Byzantium as being traitor to the Christian cause in the East. In that context should we pose the interesting incident at the end of Manuel I Komnenos’ reign (1143 – 1180). Both Church and society were provoked by the decision of the Emperor to lift up the anathemas against Allah from the trivial ritual of denouncing Islam. This formula was used generally by Muslims who converted to Christianity for whatever reason. Manuel sent twice tomoi for approval, provoking no less than an angry reaction in the Church and society. Thus, two main concepts made a stand against each other, a more traditional one and another, more practical, political, if not to say tolerant. For Manuel and his followers, who were not missing, as we know from Choniates, the doctrine of Muhammadwas just a deviation, untrue enough, of the unified Biblical tradition implying, anyhow, the existence of one and only God, Creator of the world. His opponents, Choniates being definitely among them, refused even to listen to such an interpretation. This radically harsh view on Islam corresponded with the anathemas against Islam in Choniates’ Treasure of Orthodoxy. Although in that particular case Choniates took side with the traditional opposition against the Emperor, in his History he used to be more delicate observer of Muslims, especially when comparing them with the Latins who became “champions” of his wrath.

200 години от блажената кончина на св. Софроний Врачански и проблемите на новото ни възраждане

Author(s): Evlogi Dankov,Tihomir Stoichev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

The two authors consider the importance of the heritage of St. Sofronii Vratchanski in the history of Bulgarian education. The put emphasize on his ideas for revival of Bulgarian philosophy in the context of the criteria of the European thinkers.

Към модернизация и еманципация - мъжките момичета на социалистическия свята

Author(s): Zhanina Stoyanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

Аfter the adoption of the Dimitrov Constitution of 1947 bulgarian women received an equitable rights with men. This includes access to male jobs, which is part of the emancipation in its socialist version. Women enter in branches of light and heavy industry. Newspapers, magazines, cinema and literature become active participants in building image of the new women – „masculine women”.

Спомени за погребалните обичаи на мюсюлманите по време на комунизма

Author(s): Sevim Kurtchu / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

The article presents funeral rites of Muslims in Bulgaria during the period of socialism. The author held fieldwork in the region of Kubrat (Northern Bulgaria). Memories about official communist policies are explored in terms of atheistic assimilatory communist policies.

Състояние на изследванията на свети места, поклонничества и религиозен туризъм в България

Author(s): Margarita Karamihova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2013

The article dwells on the contemporary state of art in holy shrines and pilgrimage studies. The author examines the main theoretical approaches developed by Bulgarian and Western academic traditions. She argues that the dominant western tradition is centered mainly on Catholic pilgrimages, therefore the widely accepted terminology cannot explain in an adequate way the events and processes related to Bulgarian (Balkan) pilgrimages. Several working hypotheses are offered.

Матей Преображенски - “забравеното светило на българската революция”

Author(s): Dragomir Georgiev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2013

The article examines the revolutionary activity of Matei Preobrazhenski. There is a lot of evidence that confirms the thesis that Father Matei was the adjutant of Georgi Rakovski and a close associate of Vasil Levski, the Apostle of Freedom. The article reveals the crucial role Matei Preobrazhenski – Mitkaloto played in the creation of the structures of the Internal Revolutionary Organization.

Демографски измерения на еврейското етническо присъствие в България през периода 1878–1946 г.

Author(s): Shtelian Shterionov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2013

Към общата характеристика на българския антисемитизъм (1879-1944 г.): бележки и съображения

Author(s): Nikolay Prodanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2013

Фамилна история и обществена дейност на възрожденския род Русович от Арбанаси

Author(s): Veselin Goranchev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2018

The publication presents information on the family history and public activity of the representatives of four generations of the National Revival family Rusovich from Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo. It covers the period from the last decades of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. The founder of the family is Rusi Nicolau. He originates from Tryavna Balkan (Tryavna or the surrounding villages). He settles in Arbanassi and sets up a family before the devastation and plundering of the village by the КardzhaliiVillans in 1798. The main part of the presentation is based on unpublished Greek-language documents from the archive of the family, which is stored in the 963K Fund – “Brothers Rusovich” trade house – the State Archive of Arbanasi village – Veliko Tarnovo.

Борьба за политическое наследие Стефана Стамболова: внутреннее противостояние в Народно либеральной партии Болгарии во время Первой мировой войны

Author(s): Dmitro Mikolenko / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2018

In the article the author examines the infighting that took place in the People’s Liberal Party (“Stambolovist” Party) of Bulgaria in the period of the First World War. During the period 1914-1918 both the supporters and the opponents of the head of the political power N. Genadiev used the collective memory about the eminent statesman Stefan Stambolov in order to achieve certain aims. In the course of twenty years that followed the death of the former Prime Minister of the Principality of Bulgaria his methods of pursuing of the internal and external policy had been one of the factors that influenced the processes of state formation in Bulgaria. The factions of the “Stambolovists”, which had been fighting for influence within the organization, had strived for taking up a position as a real bearers of the idea as well as continuers of the initiatives introduced by the founder of the party during his leadership of the Regency Council and the Cabinet of Ministers. Each of them had taken advantage of St. Stambolov’s memory for the purpose of the solution of certain set tasks, besides, using some controversial versions of the exceptional statesman’s activities.

Православная церковь в Польше во время Второй мировой войны

Author(s): Jerzy Grzybowski / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2018

The article is devoted to the fate of the orthodox church in Poland in the period when the country was under foreign occupation. There are presented the changes that took place in the life of the church and the policy of occupation authority towards clergy and the faithful. The church organisation in war curcumstances is showed. The author also discusses the acticity of Polish government in exile in the defence of Polish orthodox church.

Избирането на д-р Желю Желев за председател (президент) на Народна република България от Седмото Велико народно събрание

Author(s): Asen Tyutyundzhiev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2018

The article examines a number of specific political events and processes, which led to Dr Zhelyu Zhelev’s election, by the Seventh Grand National Assembly (GNA), as Chairman/President of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. It presents a brief historical overview and analysis of the emergence of a democratic opposition in Bulgaria and the opposition’s subsequent discussions with the Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP) at the National Round Table. Special attention is paid to debates within the most important anti-communist federation, the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), and its initial nomination of Dr Petar Dertliev for the presidency. The article considers the five voting rounds, which did not result in the election of head of state, as emphasis is laid on the motives and political views of the three candidates for the post. The reasons for the BCP’s unwillingness to support Dr Dertliev’s candidacy and his decision not to run are analysed at considerable length. Attention then focuses on Dr Zhelev’s nomination for the post by the UDF and the sixth round of voting by the Seventh GNA, which led to his election as President. The reasons for the BCP’s decision to support an opposition candidate are discussed as well as “the historic compromise” that was made in electing, for the first time in several decades, a head of state who was nor connected with the Communist Party.

Европа – между различните идентичности на континента и представата за колективната европейска идентичност в исторически план

Author(s): Dimitar Petkov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2018

Three factors create the sense of an identity – the emotional factor, the cognitive factor and the factor of the political or the public representation of an identity. Part of historical development of Europe is marked by two very important processes – the creation of national, religious and other identities (nets of identities) on the Continent and the arise of the idea for global European identity. The analysis from historical point of view shows, that in framework of the idea for European identity there is no emotional feeling of belonging. The idea for European identity arises when specific conditions come into being and it stops to exist when these conditions disappear.

Отзив за: Иван Тютюнджиев, История на българския народ ХV–ХVІІ в. Издателство Ровита, Велико Търново, 2017. 840 с.

Author(s): Atanaska Stamboliyska / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2018

Християнската знат в земите на днешна Република Северна Македония през XV–XVII в.

Author(s): Tervel Popov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2022

During the 15th – 17th centuries, in the lands of the present-day Republic of North Macedonia, Christian nobility continued to exist. The Christian spahi, who were quite numerous in the southwest of the Bulgarian lands in the 15th century, gradually disappeared from Ottoman records. In urban centres such as Ohrid and Kratovo, the boyar estate remained. Duce Dimitar Pepić from Kratovo was the most distinguished Christian nobleman in the historical and geographical region of Macedonia in the 16th century, and he was respected by the people as a ruler. We have evidence about many Bulgarian nobles who became ktetors of churches and monasteries, thereby supporting not only the Christian fate, but also their people.

Република Седемте съединени острова – първа гръцка държава в революционна Европа

Author(s): Svetla Glushkova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2022

The Greek-inhabited Ionian islands were key in Mediterranean trade. They came under Venetian rule at the end of the 14th century. The Ionians lived in a stratified society enjoying personal freedoms, brought together by their Orthodox religion. At the end of the 18th century, the Ionian islands were dragged into the complex political relations between the big countries in Europe and the Ottoman Empire. In June 1797, the islands were occupied by the French army, but soon after that, they came under Russo-Ottoman protection. A republic with a moderate constitution was established, which was later replaced by one after a Venetian model, retaining noble titles and privileges.

Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmed Pasha’s Fortifications Along the Northern Black Sea Coast

Author(s): Mahmut Halef Cevrioğlu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

Ottoman historiography has focused on the construction activity of the Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmed Pasha with reference to the castles he got built in Western Anatolia. Nevertheless, his endeavours to fortify the Black Sea coasts of the Ottoman Empire attracted less attention. This study seeks to describe and clarify Köprülü Mehmed Pasha’s defensive construction projects against Cossack naval raids in two separate zones of the Northern Black Sea: the Don and the Dnieper. This study relies on contemporary European reports, Ottoman archival material and related literature. It suggests that Köprülü Mehmed Pasha reinforced the protection of the Don estuary by commissioning the construction of a castle (Sedd-i İslam) on the one hand, and two self-standing towers on the other in 1660. As for the Dnieper, the pasha commanded the Doğangeçidi Castle’s construction in 1661, which was completed in 1662. Highlighting this dynamic building activity, the present essay suggests that Köprülü Mehmed Pasha’s invigoration of the northern frontiers of the Ottoman Empire should not be overshadowed by the conquests he is rather associated with.

Към корените на тюркско-иранския синтез: сведенията на османския историк Шюкруллах за произхода на българите

Author(s): Delyan Rusev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2023

The origin and ethnogenesis of the (Proto-)Bulgarian tribes in the Early Middle Ages is a complex topic that has captured the imagination of many historians, medieval and modern alike. The present paper analyzes one relevant account from Bahjat al-tavârikh, a universal history in Persian composed in 1458 by the Ottoman scholar and diplomat Shukrullâh. This highly idiosyncratic but hitherto neglected account presents the Balkan Bulgarians (burjān, bulgatān) as descendants of the Sasanian shah Hormozd IV (r. 579 – 590) who allegedly spent some time in Byzantium (Rûm) while he was a prince. As Hormozd himself is said to have been born from the marriage of Khosrow I Anushirvan (r. 531 – 79) with the daughter of the khagan of the Turks, this legendary evidence seems to imply the mixed Turco-Iranian origin of the Bulgarians – a view shared by some modern researchers. The genesis of the account remains obscure, but contextual and historical analysis has shown that it was not invented by Shukrullâh, who only reproduced it from an unknown source probably dateable to the 8th – 11th centuries.

LE MUSÉE DES PROPHÉTIES DE KREMNA (SERBIE OCCIDENTALE) AU CROISEMENT DES FRONTIÈRES ET DES PATRIMOINES

Author(s): Galia Valtchinova / Language(s): French Issue: 2/2023

The paper is focused on Kremna, a village in Western Serbia close to the Serbian-Bosnian border where a series of prophetic pronouncements, recorded and publicized in the early 20th century, gained momentum during the demise of Yugoslavia and are undergoing a process of heritage-making. It builds on two kinds of ethnography: visits of the field “site” which is the Museum/Memorial of the Prophecy”, and an ethnography of a main road which crosses the state border and relates two former Yugoslav countries. The first and longer part of the paper is dedicated to Kremna, its prophets, the prophecies and to those promoting it as the “Serbian Delphi”. It first outlines the local context and the history of the purportedly prophetic pronouncements subsequently known by the name of the village. It uncovers the logic and the circumstances in which the Kremna prophecies have been brought to public knowledge, to become a banner of Serbian national aspirations and during the last decades, of nationalism. A special section is dedicated to the legitimation of local prophets and the inscription of their work in the longue durée history as well as in cosmic processes. The second part evolves around the ethnography of the road Užice-Višegrad, Kremna being half way from both. It helps to grasp the overall landscape of history- memory- and heritage sites, the dynamics of their intertwining, and the creation of a kind of symbolic grammar of events, personae and cultural items which impacts the historical imagination. Throughout the paper, attention is paid to the importance of border and of boundaries broadly speaking in the microareas where outspoken national prophets are born and have lived.