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.

БЪЛГАРСКАТА ЗЕМЕДЕЛСКА И КООПЕРАТИВНА БАНКА И БЕЖАНСКИЯТ ВЪПРОС В БЪЛГАРИЯ В КРАЯ НА ВТОРАТА СВЕТОВНА ВОЙНА (СЕПТЕМВРИ 1944 – АПРИЛ 1945 г.)

Author(s): Yordan Mantarliev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2016

The article studies the activities of the Bulgarian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank (BZKB) after World War II, as „the largest banking institution in the economic sphere”, in collecting and reporting statistical data from refugees who in the period 1941–1944, had left for and settled in the so-called „newly liberated lands” in Greek and Yugoslav territory to devote themselves to peaceful and productive economic activities. At the end of World War II, however, when Greece and Yugoslavia re-established their authority in Western Thrace, Vardar Macedonia and the Western Bulgarian Outlands, Bulgaria once again became a refuge for thousands of its citizens full of suffering. The information collected in the branch offices of BZKB about the refugees’ abandoned movable and immovable property was used for the working out of the Bulgarian defence arguments produced at the Paris Peace Conference (July 29 – October 15, 1946) to counter the excessive and absurd Greek financial and territorial claims.

Ктиторски изображения и надписи в манастири и църкви на Видинската епархия от XIV – XIX век

Author(s): Atanaska Stamboliyska / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2015

A survey will be made in the present article of the existing donor images and inscription in somemonasteries and churches in the bishopric of Vidin in the 14th – 19th c. This type of sources contain immense information, which not only allows us to trace back the foundation and development of the monastic and parish network, but also presents data on the physical features, garments, adornments, haircut and colours of donor’s clothes. The inscriptions, on the other hand, contain rich repertoire of names, thus supplementing to the existing onomastic fund. Data provided by the images and inscriptions in the churches is backed up and supplemented by the Ottoman registers, hagiographic literature and archaeological material.

Робството през погледа на един африканец - Олауда Екуиано и неговата автобиография

Author(s): Pavlin Atanasov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2014

The article deals with the life of Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa – one of the most prominent Africans involved in the British movement of the abolition for the slave trade in Britain in the late 18th century. His autobiography, first published in 1789, was a valuable source for the abominable slave trade as one of the few texts that presented slavery from the point of view of a victim. The author narrated about his kidnapping in Africa asa child, his sufferings during the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, his service asa slave of an officer in the British Navy for ten years and his participation in the Seven Years’ War, as well as his life after he purchased his freedom in 1766. As a free man he worked as a merchant and explorer in the New World, the Arctic, and the United Kingdom. However, he became most famous with his book which was a first-hand and vivid description of the inhumanity of slavery. It contributed to a great extent to the success of the abolitionist movement in Britain with the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

Църковният закон на патриарх Василий в Архивския номоканон (ЦИАИ 1160)

Author(s): Ancho Kaloyanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2015

The Arhivski Nomocanon (Church History and Archives Institute 1160) is end of the 14th century copy of the Penitential Nomocanon of the Bulgarian church. Its initial composition originated in 913 from translated and domestic legal documents and later new texts were added, among which we identify Patriarch Vasilii’s Ecclesiastical law. In the Law the total number of rules is 117, united thematically in 9 groups, of which the first two are meaningful: the first is about the hierarchy in the autocephalous Church headed by a Patriarch, the second establishes the priority of the ecclesiastical court over the tsar’s court, sign of the uniat with Rome (1204–1232) at the time of Patriarch Vasilii’s rule.

Въоръженото насилие, войната и мирът в “Сага за фарьорците”: Опит за анализ

Author(s): Ivelin A. Ivanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2015

The article deals with violence and peacekeeping in the Faereynga Saga which had been written in Iceland at the beginning of the XIII c. First, the author focuses on hostilities and limited-scale armed violence on the island. The analysis of textual information leads to a clear identification of several types of hostility activities, not all can be classified as a typical military conflict but rather as acts of revenge and murder. Next, the author concludes that the available information does not allow to fix the frequency and intensity of this type of actions. Obviously, they were relatively rare events that left a long lasting impression for generations. Some of the examples show that the reason or occasion were not only blood feud, but also actions against Vikings or conflicts with foreign merchants. Furthermore, the purpose of armed violence was not only physical injury or murder, but also a demonstration of expulsion or social isolation of an outlawed person or a whole group. In conclusion, the author underlines that the Faereynga Saga provides unique information about small scale conflicts and armed clashes in the Faroe Islands. Also, he concludes that the saga could be a reliable source concerning the victims in the armed clashes. Next, unlike the armed violence, peace should be regarded as private and regional rather than as a political reality. Finally, the author notes that analysed clashes and conflicts provides a valuable information about conflicts and peace keeping in isolated Scandinavian societies in the North Atlantic.

Византийските свещени войни: проблеми и дискусии

Author(s): Iliyan Mihov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2015

The article discusses various aspects of Byzantine Empire’s history in the 6th – 7th c., called by some historiographers the “Holy Wars of Early Byzantium”. In the 6th c. the Byzantines built up the most enduring medieval doctrine – the doctrine of the Holy Empire: it is the idea of the Sacred Byzantine Empire understood as a union of State and Church. An important aspect in the Medieval worldview is the unity of religion and politics. The idea of the inextricable link between the Byzantine Empire and the Christian faith turns on the traditional ancient view of the world, which is divided into Roman and barbarian and now began to be divided into Christian and non-Christian. Between the 3rd and 7th c., Byzantium’s main rival in public attitude is the Sasanian Empire. The culmination of these relations are the so-called Heraclius’ Wars with the Sasanian Empire and the restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem. The emergence of a new religious-political doctrine – the Islam and Byzantium’s attitude to the new historical realities during Nicephorus II Phocas (963 – 969) and John I Tzimiskes (969 – 976) are also discussed. In parallel, the Crusades occurred in Western Europe that creates a new dimension to the concept of Holy War, which even today builds up the image of the so-called Holy wars.

Култът към св. Ана в Средна Западна България - традиционни практики и съвременно състояние

Author(s): Mira Markova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

The studies of the cult of different Christian saints is part of the major question about people’ s faith, how christianity become a custom of manner of life and about the problems of religiosity during different historical epochs. Some aspects of the cult of St. Anna in Bulgaria have been researched reffering to the place of this cult in local culturies of various smaller and bigger communities but in general this cult is less studied. Definitely in the last years of a constant and difficult transition in Bulgaria, the ordinary man’ s approach to the religion is becoming more and more evident. Local rituals are activated, new myths are produced, the compilation between old and new legens is done. The main goal of this research is to present one of female cults in conection between past and present through the focus of local culture of Central West Bulgaria. Local cultures are dynamics but relatively cloused cultures. In the present day these cultures also have possibility to be in progress. The conection between religion and local culture put a question for discussion about microhistory and this is another aim to the present research.

Сакралното пространство и неговите топоси (Оброчищата и връзката им с територията върху която са изградени)

Author(s): Miglena Petkova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

The traditional folklore sacred spaces are known as votive places. In the present study, I am tracing the connection between the type, the ritual conveyed at the votive place and the sacredness of the territory on which they were built. I am also giving answer to the question, how natural landmarks connected to the miraculousness of the saints are turned into markers of the sacred space, and an object of veneration from the participants in the rites, whose over-all function is to preserve the collective memory.

Култовите места в Чипровските покрайнини

Author(s): Anuta Kamenova-Borin / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

Holy shrines in Chiprovtsi region are monasteries, churches and votive crosses. Prevala village is situated in Chiprovtsi region. There is an only rock monastery in these parts with 15 votive crosses in honor of spiritual patrons and Christian saints. It is celebrated in connection with human health and against nature disasters endangering people, animals and property. There is an active votive holiday – Spasov day which people keep in touch with old holy ritual practices.

Изображения на змия и змей върху пафти от Северна България (от средата на XIX до началото н ХХ век)

Author(s): Pavlin Chaushev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

The purpose of the present scientific announcement is to reveal the evolution of one of the most interesting and rare images on belt buckles from the region of north Bulgaria. This is the image of snake and dragon. This model belt buckles are made mostly from the middle of XIX to early XX century. This objects are made of copper, bronze, most of them are silvered, but also of Argentan, silver and gilded silver. This motive is not so popular, but it is used like decoration, because in Bulgarian folk tradition it has powerful protection forces. In my research I found one very interesting silver belt buckle who has in the center one big dragon and beautiful floral motives. I suppose this belt buckle is made in the region of Veliko Tarnovo or Gabrovo(central north Bulgaria). The decoration of the most belt buckles in this time period is typical for the Orient. In the beginning of XIX century some new elements from Baroque were inspired, but this remains unique Bulgarian model from the XIX century.

Проекции на българската идентичност в условията на трудова миграция (връху данни от теренно проучнаве в Испания)

Author(s): Zdravko Zdravkov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

The paper attempts to prove the thesis that in the conditions of permanent migration and longterm remoteness from home and home country Bulgarian emigrants manage to preserve their ethnic identity and teach their children to respect Bulgarian culture, traditions and values.

"Ковачница за мъже" или ... задължителната наборна казарма в представите на българина през Социализма

Author(s): Iliya Valev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

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.

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.

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.

Еврейският въпрос в националсоциалистическа Германия

Author(s): Valentin Spiridonov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2013

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

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

Учебно-изследователската дейност като средство за формиране на умения за характеристика на личности от историята

Author(s): Antoaneta Palangurska / 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