Гьркоманите по българското Черноморие през възраждането
Greek-fashion followers at the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast during the Revival period

Summary/Abstract: The following of Greek style of life from some East Orthodox Christians (individuals or larger groups) is a complex social, cultural, historical and psychological phenomenon. It is traced in Black Sea area, in some other zones of contact as Thracia, Macedonia and some inner towns as Plovdiv, Stanimaka (Assenovgrad), etc. In the Black Sea area some local Bulgarians and Gagauz are concerned, who despite their descent, show self-identity and behaviour, drawing them close or even unifying them with the Greek nation. The roots of Greek-fashion following are deeply back in the past and they are connected with the role of Byzantium and the Church in Bulgarian history. Their influence is especially strong in Black Sea area, where the Greek ethnos and Greek language have long time traditions. The role of Greek education and culture, of advantages in trade and shipping, of more privileged positions in front of Ottoman authorities are also very important. These facts become serious privileges and thus attract a part of non-Greek Christions. Taking part in mixed marriages, in trade associations, etc., they give up their mother tongue and customs and gradually loose their ethic identity. The Greek-fashion following not only contributes to the personal deformation and national destruction, but also creates the most fervent opponents of Bulgarian liberation cause. This distinguishing feature could be explained by the psychological essence of apostasy. In this paper these aspects and the evolution of the problem are discussed on the basis of historical examples from the past of Varna, Burgas, Sozopol and other Black Sea towns.

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