Hilandar Monastery Sbornici: An Incipitaria Project of the Hilandar Research Library

Author(s): Mary-Allen Johnson / Language(s): English Issue: 20/2020

On the recommendation of the participants of the First International Hilandar Conference (1981), the Hilandar Research Library and the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies at The Ohio State University initiated a project to create an incipitaria of the Hilandar Monastery Sbornici (miscellanies or compilations) from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, research that overlaps with and has been enhanced by the scholarly life’s work of Professor Klimentina Ivanova. The history and goals of the project are outlined here. The criteria for selecting the project’s manuscripts are discussed, and some observations gleaned from working with the texts are shared. A print publication of the Incipitaria has not been realized, but Professor Ivanova’s Bibliotheca Hagiographica Balcano-Slavica, and the forthcoming Bibliotheca Homiletica Balcano-Slavica, which are greatly enriched by the materials from Hilandar Monastery’s library, are invaluable resources to students and researchers of the medieval Slavic homiletic and hagiographical traditions.

Казусът „Индже“

Author(s): Alexandar Panov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2022

One of the most frequently analyzed texts in Bulgarian literature is the story „Indje by Yordan Yovkov. What is striking, however, is the large number of contradictory theses and conclusions, each of which claims to give the most adequate interpretation of the meaning laid down in the text. This turns „Indje“ into a real case that requires an adequate solution. The proposed article attempts to analyze these numerous contradictions, and then, on the basis of a detailed narratological analysis, to describe the receptive paradigm adequate for the story. Particularly complicated is the problem that „Indje“ is in fact a retelling of various songs and legends, but the narrative is conducted from a witness's point of view. In addition, the restored memory of the past is expressed in the structure of the work through three different genre paradigms, each of which has its specifics and social function. What reading behavior will allow the most adequate reading of the impact potential set in the text?

„Душата на учителя“ в полето на избора, раздвоението и междутекстовостта

Author(s): Adriana Damyanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

The text is focused on the idea of Elin-Pelinov’s short story “The Soul of the Teacher” being included in the curriculum for the 12th grade, and more specifically – in the development of the theme “The choice and the bifurcation”. The argument for the proposal is based, first, on the ironic mode of interpretation of the theme in the story, different from those of the mandatory texts according to the curriculum, with which the quoted theme is presented, thus presenting the possibility to diversify its interpretation. Second, on the productivity of the intertextual connections of the narrative with the other texts united by the theme, and specifically with Yavorov’s “Two Souls”. Third, how the narrative represents Elin Pelin's attitude towards modernist ideas present in the first decade of the 20th century, the emphasis on which is interpreted as a step in the direction of overcoming the stereotypes of reading this work within the limits of social realism.

Спомен за писателя Иван Кирилов

Author(s): Radka Pencheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The present writer Ivan Kirilov (1876 – 1936) was graduated law abroad.

Писмата на Иван Брожка до Константин Иречек. Интересен извор за новата българска история

Author(s): Aleksandra Trifonova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

In the personal archival collection of Konstantin Irechek (Jireček), which is stored in the Scien- tific Archive of the BAS, there are 40 letters and postcards, handwritten and sent by Ivan (Jan) Brozhka (Brožka) to Irechek. The Czech Brozhka (1853–1927), a teacher of Latin at Sofia high schools for a long time, also considered the founder of classical philology in Bulgaria, was an active assistant to Irechek in various cultural and educational endeavours immediately after the Liberation. The letters cover the period from 1885 to 1900 and have great informative value: they contain information about all the most important events that happened not only in Sofia, where Brozhka settled, but also all over the country. The significance of these notices doesn´t lie in their uniqueness, it mainly consists in the fact that they present moments of the modern Bulgarian history through the eyes of a foreigner who had already begun to perceive Bulgaria as his second homeland. Here I present one of the most interesting letters in translation – dated November 10/22, 1885, describing the stormy events of the first week of the Serbo-Bulgarian War – both at the front and in Sofia.

Контексти на възприемане на литературния текст

Author(s): Stiliyan Stoyanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2024

The text comments on the problems of the reception of texts in the Bulgarian classical literature. The thesis that is defended is that reception is impossible if the literary text is not placed in a system of contexts. Different contexts are successively commented: national-historical, cultural-historical, biographical, technological, context of personal experience, context of the literary process. The opportunities they provide, as well as their productivity/non-productivity in a specific receptive situation, are analyzed.

Възможни прочити на скуката и леността в българската литература

Author(s): Andriana Spasova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2024

A Time for Dystopias / Време за дистопии.

Author(s): Milena Kirova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

This text is an introduction to the theme of this issue. First, it briefly overviews the place and the functions of the literary genre of dystopia in present-day world literature. It then outlines the history of the genre in Bulgarian literature from its almost complete absence until 1989 to the rise of a true dystopian wave in the second decade of the new century. In its last part, the text points out how the thirteen articles published inside can be divided into three groups in terms of their subject matter and disciplinary approach.

Академичната рецепция на концепцията на Емил Щайгер в България

Author(s): Angel Valentinov Angelov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

My goal is to present the reception of several writings by Emil Staiger in the Bulgarian academic environment. Also – to pose a more general question – do approaches to these writings imply credibility? The publications I discuss are by Rossitza Dimtshewa, Nikola Georgiew, Atanas Natew.

Целокупност

Author(s): Elena Nalbantova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

O prijevodima Vesne Parun (Analiza prijevoda zbirke „Poezija” Penje Peneva)

Author(s): Ana Vasung / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 31/2023

The paper contains a translatological analysis of Vesna Parun’s translation of Penjo Penev’s Poetry collection. Eleven poems from the collection are presented in the analysis, and the classification of translation strategies and procedures is based on Andrew Chesterman’s translation strategy theory from 1997. After examining the translations, it is evident that Vesna Parun strove to preserve rhyme and rhythm; to achieve this, she regularly employed the technique of changing or removing tropes (usually repetitions), which ultimately resulted in compensation and poetization of individual songs. Furthermore, there is a noticeable tendency towards foreignness, as demonstrated by the retention of those lexemes that share similar expressions in both languages despite the fact that their meanings are not completely identical.

Idealizam u poeziji Vesne Parun i Blage Dimitrove

Author(s): Marijana Bijelić / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 31/2023

The paper provides a comparative analysis of selected poems by Vesna Parun and Blaga Dimitrova, Croatian and Bulgarian poets, respectively, from the same period and with somewhat similar and somewhat different poetics; hence, the analysis is comparative and contrastive at the same time. The main focus of the analysis is the uncompromising idealism, the insistence on the absolute, dealing with the negativity, and openness to the unending work of desire as the main characteristics of their lyrical subject. Their idealism is usually articulated by traditional symbols such as stars, birds and the idealised topos of childhood and nature, with love as their obsessive theme. Such constellation is the basis for ecstatic projections and the tragic decomposition of lyrical subjects. Ecstatic projections are related to self-transcendence through love and the idealistic self-identification with nature. The uncompromising tragic self-destruction is what the subject chooses so as to preserve the ideal from entropy.

Да откриеш себе си чрез Другия в: „Двойници и раздвоено съзнание в кинодраматургията“ на Марин Дамянов

Author(s): Juliana Stoyanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 31/2023

Book Review: Дамянов, Марин. Двойници и раздвоено съзнание в кинодраматургията. Психоаналитична интерпретация. София: Аction, 2020. 199 с. ISBN 978-954-92929-5-4.

„За декадентите по-нататък“: българската литература в сп. „Славянский мир“

Author(s): Tilde Geerardyn,Raymond Detrez / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 31/2023

The Russian literary periodical Slavyanskij mir appeared 14 times between December 1908 and May 1911. It functioned as a vehicle for the progressive wing of the neoslavic movement on the eve of the First World War, but also aimed to inform its readers about the cultural life, and especially the literature, of the Slavic peoples. Bulgarian literature plays a limited but remarkable role in Slavyansky mir. Instead of great classical writers like Ivan Vazov, young modernist writers like Pencho Slaveykov, Ivan Andreychin, and Petko Yu. Todorov are well represented. This peculiar selection mainly shows the hand of Sirak Skitnik, a student of graphic arts in Saint Petersburg who was closely acquainted with the symbolist movement in Bulgaria. Most translations at the time are done by Alexander Shishmanov, a student of Arab languages with a special interest in contemporary literature. The contributions by Skitnik and Shishmanov reinforced the progressive quality of the periodical.

Износът на българска литература, кино и култура – какво да се прави?

Author(s): Dimitar Kamburov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4s/2024

This text, presented at the international conference “Slavonic Literatures – Globalisation and Regionalism” in November 2023, discusses the actual condition of a practically non-existent state policy of exporting Bulgarian literature and cinema, as well as the tendency to shift the export from foreign audiences toward the Bulgarian diaspora abroad. After discussing the difficult acceptance of Bulgarian literature and cinema on the international scene and market, the text asserts the necessity of a particular state institution being established – an institution focused on the transformation of local art phenomena into world cultural events through their contextual domestication and critical reference in the foreign daily and cultural media, as well as on social media. The urge is a critical mass of art works to be created, capable of transforming quantity into quality – into a World-oriented Bulgarian cultural phenomenon.

Възможен ли е канон в преподаването на българската литература зад граница? Практиката в сръбските университети

Author(s): Antoaneta Alipieva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4s/2024

The article is entirely based on the material from the empirical situation of teaching Bulgarian literature at the University of Belgrade. Students' understanding and perception are explored, revealing similarities and clashes between the two cultures. At the same time, we are looking to teach in a way that allows people from a different cultural background to understand and take in basic aesthetic and ideological phenomena from Bulgarian literature.

Преподаването на българска литература като своечужда

Author(s): Bisera Dakova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4s/2024

The text describes the particular alienation effect that arises when teaching Bulgarian literature outside Bulgaria. Special attention is paid to works in translation and their role in the teaching. The problem of the unavoidable ideological marking of the translated artistic text is addressed, and the deviations from the original in several translated poems from the German edition Atanas Daltschew. Gedichte (1976) are examined in detail.

Магика и алхимия в драматическите видения на Боян Дановски „Сърцето на шута“ и „Сърце от ален порцелан“ в контекста на модернистичните експерименти в драмата през 20-те години на ХХ век

Author(s): Marieta Ivanova-Girginova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4s/2024

The text analyzes magical and alchemical rituals of different origins, which became conceptual cores in two of Bojan Danovski‘s dramatic visions: “Heart of the Jester” (the creation of the artificial human Humunculus) and “Heart of Scarlet Porcelain” (the revival of the toys – The porcelain doll and sculpture of Pierrot). Both visions appeared in the magazine “Hyperion” in the second half of the 20s of the last century. They are part of a larger corpus of eight visions the author sent from Italy to the magazine in 1922 – 1928. Нe published six of them in a separate book in 1929. Danovski‘s dramatic visions are a specific phenomenon in Bulgarian drama. They represent an expression of artistic synthesis in avant-garde art and offer interesting construction and ideas characteristic of the European avant-garde. The aim here is to show, through an analysis of the two visions mentioned: how B. Danovski creates his theater of marionettes and how he works with the rich cultural intertext embedded in the plays. The dramatic vision in three pictures and one pantomime The Heart of the Jester (1926) examines the transformation of medieval mysticism with its spiritualistic séances and dark magic. A desacralization of the magical through the techniques of avant-garde art stands out. The dramatic vision in three paintings Heart of Scarlet Porcelain (1923) traces the transformation in Maeterlinck‘s symbolist theater with the appearance of the porcelain toy dolls and symbolic marionette figures of the square commedia dell‘arte. Magical processes and rituals bind the two visions, in which the heart is a unifying image and a meaningful object. It emerges from the high poetic symbolism of Romanticism and Symbolism to become a literal thing – a magical/bloody ingredient for the action of the alchemical retort in The Jester‘s Heart and afine porcelain object in the text Heart of Scarlet Porcelain. The process of reification, literalization of symbols signals their vituperation and becomes part of the desacralization of occult rituals. The disenchantment of fairytale magic is a specific feature of Danovsky‘s poetics.

L'ottica metonimica nel racconto “Il padre di Bucarest” di Ivan Stankov

Author(s): Nataliya Nyagolova / Language(s): Italian Issue: 4s/2024

The article examines the metonymic mechanism as a distinctive feature of modern Bulgarian prose through observations on Ivan Stankov’s story “The Father of Bucharest” from the book “Names under the Snow” (2019). The story breaks the traditional framework of the “Romanian text” in Bulgarian literature, usually closely linked to the initiatory plots of the national liberation struggles and the military prose of the first half of the 20th century. In the work Bucharest retains its national features only in the plane of literary topography. At the same time, I. Stankov’s Bucharest acquires the features of any large metropolitan city in the world, where alienation reigns, while empathy is a rare and unexpected impulse. The metonymic optics is explored at different levels: as a principle of image of urban space; as a stylistic concept of combining heterogeneous images; as a mechanism of intertext; as a paradoxical axis of thought and existence of modern man, created through the translation of unselected information, through the dynamic emotional and social illusion of the global world.

Познание и фантастика в романите „Когато човекът не беше“ и „Смелия чунг“ от Димитър Ангелов

Author(s): Tanya Stoyanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4s/2024

The paper focuses on two novels by Dimitar Agelov (“When the Man was not”, published in 1941, and “The Brave Chung”, published in 1953) that were defined as fantasy by literary critics. The novels are intended for children and teenagers, so the emphasis is as much on the fun intrigue as it is on a certain didactic idea. The paper comments on the problem of knowledge as a leading idea of the two novels. They present the life of several generations of monkeys which were named by the author chungs and poma. Under influence of hereditary factors, the environment and the changes of the climate the animals change into people. The main factor leading to this change is the characters start putting in the work.. Every day they do something to survive the fight with other animals, provide food, or adapt to nature. The paper examines the novels as an illustration of Darwin`s theory about the origin of species.