Писмото на Жендов – критика или програма на социалистическия реализъм в България?
Zhendov’s Letter: Criticism or a Socialist Realism Manifesto in Bulgaria?

Summary/Abstract: Zhendov’s letter, quoted fragmentally in defence of this or that strongly contradicting thesis, was in fact the first ever explicitly critical reflection on Socialist Realism in Bulgaria and I’d dare say, the sole one for quite a while. Coming from a staunch communist and a determined champion of the idea of Socialist Realism, it helps us gain some insight into the general mechanisms of its introduction into Bulgarian art. The letter is a reflection of the transitional period towards the “normative phase” of the style. In this respect, Zhendov’s idea of Socialist Realism, which supposes many more variations and options for artistic expression, occurred too early. It was officially adopted at the next stage, in the early 1960s, following the artist’s posthumous political rehabilitation, the comeback of the New Artists to the National Art Gallery, the denunciation of the cult of personality and the earliest youth exhibitions. At its mature stage, Socialist Realism was already constructed in Zhendov’s manner. In this regard, if Zhendov’s letter sought to really show the “high values” of realism and introduce those as socialistic, he in fact succeeded, though this success was conditioned by other historical facts rather than by the extreme response in the letter. But if he believed that he would change the administrative mechanisms of management and personnel priorities of the power, he failed forever for in both periods authorities devised a means of using his response and his heroic charisma as tools for achieving their own purposes.

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