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 The deciphering and the translation of the historical documents have been done by the author of the publication.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.

Градоустройствен и архитектурен облик на град Плевен през ХV–ХVIII век

Author(s): Mladen Vasilev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2013

This topic focuses on some facts about the existence and development of the town of Pleven in the period between 15th and 18th centuries that are little known and unpublished so far. The appearance of the town and its urban space is a demonstration of the allotment between the three main ethno-confessional communities – Eastern Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish. The article focuses on the discovery of the remains of St. Georgi monastery in Kaylaka Park near Pleven which was destroyed by the Ottomans in the late 18th century and the yet undiscovered exact location of St. Nikolay Mirlikiiski in the Ottoman Pleven Municipality.

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.

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.

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

Varia: История, ирония, етос (2. част)

Author(s): Ivan Ruskov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2019

The text reviews the ethos of the Bulgarian revolutionaries Zahary Stoyanov and Stoyan Zaimov, displayed in the contradiction between words and action in 1876. It outlines the ambiguous appraisals in the works of the two authors, especially with regard to the question of whether it is appropriate to use irony in writings about persons and events playing a key role in the struggle for Bulgarian liberation from Ottoman rule.

Между отец Матей Преображенски и господин Йоаким Груев или За парадигмата на Българското възраждане (За Аделина Странджева, Историята на изкуството…)

Author(s): Elena Nalbantova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2019

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.

Osmanska poreska politika u svjetlu neobjavljene izvorne građe

Author(s): Amir Krpić / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 18/2022

Review of: Fahd Kasumović, Na periferiji svijeta islama: Osmanska poreska politika u Bosanskom ejaletu 1699-1839, Univerzitet u Sarajevu, Orijentalni institut, Sarajevo, 2021.

Споменът за освободителните борби на българите във фотографията след Освобождението

Author(s): Chavdar Vetov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2022

The liberation struggles during the Revival left a deep imprint on the collective consciousness of Bulgarian society. A process of searching for, preserving and popularizing evidence of the past of all kinds was being developed – including photographs, regarding the events and personalities related to the struggle for the liberation of the Bulgarians from the Ottoman rule. Celebrations were held, monuments were erected, historical events were re-enacted. Many of these events were photographed, thus the photographs became testimonies reflecting the desire to preserve the memory of the revolutionary struggle. The article examines photographs of buildings of historical significance, monuments, group and personal photographs of combatants, etc. They are found in various local and central archival collections. The descriptive method used shows how photographs participated in the process of preserving the historical memory of the movement for political independence and their role in the construction of national identity.

Нова историческа монография за град Кюстендил през епохата на Възраждането

Author(s): Vera Boneva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2022

Book review

Ценни източници за българската история през XIX и първата половина на XX век

Author(s): Antoaneta Kirilova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2022

Book Review

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.

Дербенджийските села в Златишко-Пирдопската котловина и прилежащите ѝ региони (XV – първата половина на XVII век)

Author(s): Krastyo Yordanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2023

Based on Ottoman source material, the studies attempt to trace the fate of several Derbendji villages in the region of Zlatitsa, the valley of the Topolnitsa River, and the Sredna Gora Mountains. The Zlatitsa-Pirdop valley is located at a crossroad where two secondary roads meet. ‘Derbend guarding’ (guarding of roads and passes) in this region was to some extent directly related to the maintenance of these roads and the provision of safe travel and communications. However, the sources show that in the first century of the Ottoman rule, only two Derbendji villages were created at the initiative of the Ottoman authorities, in order to populate the deserted and dangerous areas along the road. Subsequently, before the middle of the 16th century, the network of Derbendji villages in the Zlatitsa region expanded, including a number of old settlements. Usually, the population of these settlements, on their own initiative, secured a Sultan’s firman (order) for the granting of Derbendji status, referring to the frequent robberies and murders along the road in the lands of the villages. The villagers wanted to obtain Derbendji (guardian) status so that they can defend themselves with weapons, ensuring their peace and the security of travelers. However, the fate of the Derbendji villages in the Zlatitsa-Pirdop region shows that the Derbendji status and tax privileges did not automatically lead to the demographic and economic prosperity of the villages, turning them into important economic and cultural centres of the Bulgarian nation. The strong Turkic colonization in the valley, as well as the processes of Islamization that began at the end of the 15th century among the local Bulgarian Christian population as well as the example of the first converts, had certain influence on the desire for conversion to Islam, which was associated with exemption from some taxes such as the cizie. Two of the Derbendji settlements in Zlatitsa region eventually became completely Muslim villages. Thus, the author’s thesis is confirmed that the privileged status of the population with special obligations was not so decisive for settlement development, as were factors of a natural-geographical, ethnographic (the specifics of individual ethnographic groups and regions) and socio-economic nature.

Важен принос в османистиката

Author(s): Krasimira Mutafova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2023

1821-2021. Bicentenarul Revoluției conduse de Tudor Vladimirescu

Author(s): Mihaela Bărbieru / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1/2023

The volume 1821-2021. The Bicentennial of the Revolution led by Tudor Vladimirescu, coordinated by Sevastian Cercel and Georgeta Ghionea, brings together 22 papers signed by representatives of the academic and university environment which belong to some prestigious institutions in Romania (“C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopşor” Institute for Research in Social Studies and Humanities from Craiova, of the Romanian Academy, University of Craiova, University of Bucharest, “George Baritiu” Institute of History, of the Romanian Academy from Cluj-Napoca, “Ovidius” University from Constanța, Valahia University from Târgoviște).The volume is the result of the National Symposium dedicated to Vladimirescu (1821-2021. The Bicentennial of the Revolution led by Tudor Vladimirescu), initiated by the researchers from institute from Craiova, held on May 14-15, 2021. The volume is structured in three chapters and all the papers are subordinated to the maine topic.

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.