Leaving your country for a destination on the opposite part of the world, starting a new life and getting accostumed to other lifestyles and rhythms could be hard for everybody. But slowly new connections, perspectives and memories shape around you a new life, and a different place becomes the one you consider home. However, something remains hidden into yourself.
The bond with your roots and your country of origin can be recalled to your memory accidentally, maybe by the fragrances of some distant tastes and sounds, or maybe by the scent of rose or of fresh woods, as the ones you remember from the time walking through the rose fields or the endless forests of Bulgaria.
On 24 September 2016, at the Center for the Study of Europe of the Pardee School of Global Study (Boston University), the writer Nelly Tonchev led her audience into a travel to the far East charm and magic of Bulgaria and its traditions, revealing tales and sounds of a culture that does not want to forget its past, its legends and the powerful energy of imagination and mistery.
Bulgaria is a country on the Black Sea, on the border with Romania, Turkey, Greece, Serbia and Macedonia. Its geographical position has been crucial for the development of a unique set of traditions that traces back to the ancient Thracians, Greeks and Romans, together with the later influence of the Ottoman Empire and the Slavic culture.
Nelly Tonchev is a freelance artist and writer who lives near Boston. She grew up in Bulgaria and moved with her family to the USA in 1998, where she completed her Master’s degree. The inspiration for her books comes from legends and tales from her origin country. Her books are the result of a cooperation with Rebecca Carter, a writer living in southern New Hampshire, and are published under the pseudonym of Ronesa Aveela. Some of their recent works are the non-fiction book "Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore", about Bulgarian legends and folklore tales, the latest novel "Mystical Emona", a love story set on a Bulgarian village, and a series of short-stories, the "Baba Treasure Chest", inspired by Bulgarian, Thracian and Slavic Mythology. The author loves painting, and her books are decorated with her creations.
traditions, legends and rituals
Survaki is celebrated on January 1. In ancient times, Survaki was the time to move away from darkness towards light as the days become longer. Today, it is a ritual ensuring good health, fertility and wealth. Girls and young boys create a survachka, a branch of a cornel tree decorated with coins, popcorn, dried fruits, small bagels, ribbons, and threads. They travel from house to house with the branch, tapping families and friends on the back, blessing the household and in return receiving gifts.
Some charming creatures part of Bulgarian mythology are the Samodivi, also known as Veelas, Wilis, Yuda, Samovili, Vili. They are nymphs of the Slavic folklore, able to heal using herbs. They protect the forests and its inhabitants. They are symbol of the coming spring and of the awakening of nature. Many legends about them still survive, and some people in Bulgaria claim to see them in forests and near water bodies.
Described as blonde women with long, curly hair, Samodivi are renowned for their beauty, power, and magical seductive voices. In remote villages, people pay respect to them and are afraid of these creatures who can seduce men with their beautiful songs.
They even appear in the novel Harry Potter, as mascotte of the Bulgarian Quidditch team, and in the ballet "Giselle", written by Théophile Gautier
"it's important to keep our traditions alive, remember our roots and stories from the past" nelly tonchev
According to a study of 2006, 92.841 persons in the United States declared to have Bulgarian ancestry. The biggest flow of Bulgarian immigration to the United States began during the second part of the 19th century. Located near Boston, the Bulgarian Center of New England is a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to serve as a focal point of the Bulgarian community in New England and attract people from different backgrounds who have interest in the Bulgarian culture, art, history, and traditions. The Center host the Bulgarian Church “St. Petka,” the Bulgarian School “Sts. Cyril and Methodius,” and events organized by the Bulgarian-American Cultural Center Madara.
In the video Alex Stoyanov, graduated from Berklee College of Music, plays traditional Bulgarian songs on his flaute, during the conference "Bulgarian Voices" at Pardee School of Global Studies (Boston University) on 24 September 2016
bulgarian cuisine
Banitsa, a cheese pie, is definetely the "queen" of all Bulgarian dishes. It is traditionally made of philly dough filled with white cheese and eggs, or in some local variations with other ingredients such as cabbage, onion, spinachs, rice.
Other national specialities are katmi, similar to pancakes or crepes, sarmi, wraps of grape or cabbage leaves, and other dishes such as beans cooked in clay pots and stuffed dried peppers with rice and crushed beans. The particular taste of many Bulgarian dishes is given by the rich combination of spices, especially dill, mint, savory and parsley. Yogurt has also an important place in the Bulgarian cuisine, coming in more than hundreds varieties. On hot summer days, many Bulgarian people use to drink the refreshing tarator, a cold soup made from yogurt, water, finely grated cucumbers, garlic and dill. Among the drinks, in Bulgaria wine is produced since ancient times, as well as rakiya, a brandy made from plums or grapes, and gyul, a rose brandy.
Nazdrave! Cheers, to your health!
BULGARIAN MUSIC AND DANCES
A group of dancers from Ludo Mlado, a folklore dance ensemble based in Boston, while they perform a dance called "Samodivi", created on purpose for the conference "Bulgarian voices".
The dancers from the group Ludo Mlado dance "Thracian Wedding", a Bulgarian folklore dance from the area called Thrace, which covers Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey.
During weddings, music and dances still play an important role. The dancers accompany the celebrations with their animated rhythms and playful short yells.
A project for Online Journalism, Fall Semester 2016, Boston University
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CREDITS
Silvia Mazzocchin