Българският национален въпрос в най-новата англоезична и френско-езична книжнина
The Bulgarian National Question in the Latest Literature in English and French

Summary/Abstract: This publication aims at showing how the history of the Bulgarian National Question after 1878, its contemporary development and its prospects are reflected in the English and French literature brought out mainly after 1989. The concept “Bulgarian National Question” is considered as a totality of ethnic and territorial aspects, factors and problems referring to the past and present of the Bulgarian ethnic and civil nation. Attention focuses on the works of authors of non-Bulgarian descent who originate from or are naturalized in the West European countries and the USA. The thematic range of the study encompasses the subthemes of Bulgarian nationalism, the Macedonian Question and Bulgaria, the Turks and the other minority groups in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian communities abroad. In their elucidation through the prism of the Western authors attention is paid in the article to the following aspects; general tendencies in the history of the Bulgarian National Question, identity of the communities concerned, their historical development and present position, and the policy of the Bulgarian State. The last thematic circle refers to the forecasts for solving the ethnic problems in a European context. The theme of the Bulgarian National Question occupies a peripheral place in the Western literature reviewed. It is examined always in a broader East European and mainly Balkan context. The present realities exercise a strong influence on reflecting the historical processes. The position of outside observers makes it possible for the Western authors to “incorporate” the Bulgarian problems into the broader international background, to “see” well also their “shady” sides and “evaluate” them objectively. On the other hand, this stand sometimes finds it difficult to conceal the superiority of the “civilized West” or the partialities to some other “national” problems which transpire even in choosing the themes researched the notion which the Western authors for the Bulgarian National Question is not single-valued as a whole reflected correctly the evolution of a failed Balkan ethno-territorial nationalism some of the aspects of which have remain a potential force to our days. The causes for the failure are found above all the inner logic of the Bulgarian policy on the National Question. In conclusion emphasis is laid on the need for (jiving new meaning to the research into the Bulgarian National Question in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian national policy in the conditions of the transition to democracy and on the basis of the new contemporary realities.

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