The Mysteries of MS 88 of the Obolensky Collection (No 201), RGADA

Author(s): Anisava Miltenova / Language(s): English,Old Slavonic,Old Bulgarian Issue: 63-64/2021

The composition of miscellanies intended for individual reading, gradually supplemented with additional texts over time, was not a novelty for the Southern Slavs in the Late Middle Ages, but the extant evidence is few in number. This study deals with the sixteenth-century manuscript No. 88 from the collection of Obolensky, the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA), Moscow, which contains a series of unique texts preserving the repertoire of Bulgarian and Serbian literatures of that time. The manuscript contains both original works by Konstantin Kostenetski and Dimiter Kantakuzin and extracts and compilations translated from Byzantine Greek. The manuscript abounds invaluable examples of the writers’ efforts to develop the hesychastic literature, showing continued interest in it as spiritual reading exercises. The content shows the connection between the literary centres on the Balkans and, above all, with the monasteries on Mt Athos. The work of Palaeoslavists on the texts will be published shortly.

Канонът за Рождество на Йоан Кръстител от Андрей Критски и неговите славянски преводи

Author(s): Iskra Hristova Shomova / Language(s): Old Church Slavonic,Greek, Ancient (to 1453),Bulgarian Issue: 67-68/2023

St Andrew of Crete’s Canon for the Nativity of St John the Baptist in Tone Four is a polymelodic composition. The odes are composed of two or three troparia which follow different heirmoi. This canon has an early Old Bulgarian translation, which went through several revisions. The article provides a comparison of nine Slavonic copies of this canon, whereby four Slavonic redactions can be distinguished. The first redaction is represented in the Dragota Menaion, the Sinai Menaion and the Ohrid Menaion. In this redaction, the second ode is missing and the odes consist of four troparia each. The second redaction is represented in the Menaion of Dobrian, the Menaion of Dragan, the Palauzov Menaion and Menaion Khludov 166 (kept in the State Historical Museum in Moscow). The second ode was added in this redaction, and so were several troparia (from three to five) in each ode. The third redaction is represented in the East Slavic menaia Sin 895, kept in the State Historical Museum in Moscow, and Sof 206, kept in the Russian National Library in St Petersburg. It is based on the second redaction, but does not contain the second ode. In this redaction, the texts of the troparia are revised and the sixth, seventh and ninth odes are composed of troparia which are different from those in the South Slavic menaia and follow different heirmoi. The fourth redaction is represented in Manuscript No. 2/8 from the Rila Monastery and in all new-redaction menaia (i.e., menaia structured according to the Jerusalem typikon and composed mainly during and after the fourteenth century in Tarnovo or on Mount Athos), including printed Church Slavonic menaia which are used in liturgy to this day. In it the second ode is missing, and the third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth odes are composed of troparia which are different from those in the old-redaction menaia (structured according to the old Studite typikon and composed before the fourteenth century) and follow different heirmoi. The text of the first and fifth odes is based on the second redaction, with some revisions.

Публикации по старобългарска литература и култура, излезли в България през 2022 г.

Author(s): Adelina Germanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 67-68/2023

Музеи, културен туризъм и културно наследство в България от средата до края на ХХ век. Основни моменти от историческото развитие и проблеми

Author(s): Vidin Sukarev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

This study presents the background of cultural tourism in Bulgaria. There are a lot of definitions of tourism, but everywhere in the leading places is mentioned the cultural heritage. Cultural tourism became a global autonomy economy branch in the 1980s. In Bulgaria, in the middle of the 1950s, a growth of restoration, preservation, and presentation work began. The number of museums increased from 70 in 1949 to 233 in 1999. The peak of museum visitors was between 1976 and 1987, but statistical data are not reliable. The transition to a democratic society and market economy was the real start of cultural tourism in Bulgaria, established on the material base, institutions, and infrastructure constructed during the studied period. The applied data shows that the percent of museum non-budget incomes increased, but the system still needs reforms and investments.

Изследване на Балканите през Комниновата епоха

Author(s): Ivayla Popova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

Generating the “Ultimate History” and Artificial Intelligence

Author(s): Lubomir Krustev / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

This article deals with the concept of “ultimate history” and the role of present-day AI language models. On the one hand, there stands an old idea that someday, with the development of science, it will become possible to create one final narrative of history. With the fast burgeoning of the AI this question becomes even more imperative for historians all over the world. What would mean to be a historian in a world with a machine that knows more than yourself about history, and what would be the new role of a historian, if AI manages to crack the “ultimate history” once and for all? Those are some of the questions that this paper tries to answer.

Digital Cultural Heritage as a Strategic Resource for Innovations

Author(s): Polina Stoyanova / Language(s): English Issue: 1s/2024

This article explores the role of digital cultural heritage as a strategic resource for fostering innovations across various sectors. Beyond its traditional cultural and historical significance, cultural heritage is recognized as a valuable resource for innovation, necessitating strategic management to unlock its economic potential in the digital era. The article suggests utilizing the intellectual property system to achieve economic realization of digital cultural heritage and foster innovation. The strategic management at the national level is emphasized to yield returns on investments, especially in the digitization of cultural heritage. Recognizing its potential beyond traditional cultural realms, the article emphasizes strategic management to unlock economic value and advocates for innovation in sectors such as education, research, healthcare, and tourism.

За средновековната арабска полемика срещу берберите и тяхното практикуване на исляма

Author(s): Desislava Vladimirova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The group of Arabic medieval authors critiqued and condemned the practices of Islam among the Berber tribes in North Africa. This article delves into the medieval debate surrounding Berber Islam, exploring key themes and interpretations of Arab-Berber relations and the unique aspects of intra-religious dynamics in the medieval Islamic West. Through a comparative analysis, it examines medieval Arabic perspectives on the origins of the Berbers, the nature of Berber Islam, accusations of heterodoxy, and the perceived absence of urban culture. The essay also explores Arab authors’ perspectives on Berber rule during the Almoravid (1054–1147) and Almohad (1121–1269) periods. By examining polemical examples, it sheds light on the intricate political landscape of the Maghreb. A detailed investigation into the characteristics of Berber Islam provides insights into the Arab approach to governance in the region, as well as the successes and shortcomings thereof. The consistent negative portrayal of Berbers in Arabic narratives underscores underlying issues within the medieval Islamic politico-religious framework.

За децата с любов и разбиране

Author(s): Yura Konstantinova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

RUĐANSKA TURBETA

Author(s): Ismet Bušatlić / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 44/2023

In the municipality of Rudo, eleven mausoleums of various dimensions and shapes have been erected thus far. In Staro Rudo there are two mausoleums, and one each in Sokolovići, Donja Strmica, Bresnica, Obrvena, Barakovci (Strgačina), Prebidoli, Sjeverin, Ustibar, and Mioče. Nine of them were erected for males, and two of them were made for maidens. Four have been preserved to this day, two have been restored, and one newly erected. After the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the reconstruction of mosques began, also followed by the reconstruction of mausoleums. Among the reconstructed mausoleums, we should mention those in Staro Rudo and Mioče, as well as the construction of a new one erected in honour of civilian victims of war. Hopefully, this activity will be continued and other destroyed mausoleums in Rudo will be reconstructed. Furthermore, the service of a turbedar (mausoleum keeper) is documented in three mausoleums.

Folkloric Elements in 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑚: 𝐴 𝑆𝑙𝑎𝑣 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙

Author(s): Saša Simović / Language(s): English,Serbian Issue: 1/2023

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑚: 𝐴 𝑆𝑙𝑎𝑣 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 by P. Jones, published in 1895 and dedicated to “His Highness, Prince Nicholas of Montenegro,” is an intriguing piece of literature, even though little is known about either the author or the book. With an intricate plot comprising multiple framed stories and presented by an omniscient narrator, the text centres on the exploits of two “blood brothers” and is of modest literary merit. However, it vividly portrays traditional values, customs, national costumes, places, superstitions, and has a distinct local feel. This article aims to identify and analyse the key folkloric elements present in 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑚: 𝐴 𝑆𝑙𝑎𝑣 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 and to provide a commentary on the novel from the perspective of cultural history.

The Discourse of the Past and the Role of Memory in the Lithuanian and Latvian Cultural Press during the Transition Period (1988–1992)

Author(s): Viktorija Jonkutė / Language(s): English Issue: 52/2023

The aim of the article is to analyze the discourse of the past that developed in the Lithuanian and Latvian cultural press in the late 1980s and early 1990s, discussing the dominant conceptions of history and perception of time. It is generally argued that with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union an era of presentism began. However, the post-Soviet transition materialized in the Lithuanian and Latvian cultural press as a reconstructive, retrospective transformation, dominated by narratives about the past. This research is based on theoretical assumptions about collective memory (Halbwachs 1951; Assmann 2020), the regime of historicity (Hartog 2015; Koselleck 2004), and the inventory of temporal perspective (Zimbardo, Boyd 1999; 2008). Most of the analyzed material is cultural periodicals: weekly Literatūra ir menas (Literature and Art) and Šiaurės Atėnai (Athens of the North) and monthly Pergalė (Victory; in 1991 renamed Metai (Year)) and Kultūros barai (Domains of Culture), Sietynas (The Pleiades), Nemunas (The [River] Nemunas); Latvian monthly periodicals Avots (Source) and Karogs (Flag) and weekly Literatūra un Māksla (Literature and Art). These are occasionally supplemented by other periodicals and publications, as well as by the general context. Researching them, ten discursive functions of the interacting (re)constructed forms of memory were identified: communicative/informational, functional/pragmatic, testimonial/justice-driven, emotional/therapeutic, ontological/metalinguistic, reproductive/mimetic, identity-based, social/ mobilizing, ethical/moral, political/ideological.

Eesti õigeusu kiriku tekstiilide päritolu ja kohalikud mõjud

Author(s): Madli Sepper / Language(s): Estonian Issue: 1 (84)/2023

This article explores liturgical textiles in the Estonian Orthodox Church, examining their historical development, theological significance and contemporary manifestations. Focusing on altar covers, eileton, chalice veils (aer and kalymmata), Epitaphios, and antimension. In this article, I will present liturgical textiles preserved in Estonian Orthodox churches and divide them into four periods. The Tsarist period (since 1840s), the period between the two world wars, the Soviet period and the period of the restored Estonian Republic. The research problem is the lack of knowledge regarding the preservation and age of textiles in Estonian Orthodox churches. To find the answer, I conducted fieldwork studying church textiles in Estonia and compared them to those in neighbouring countries such as Finland and Russia. I analysed order catalogues of church inventory from Tsarist Russian factories and the Project of the Scientific Department of Church Arts at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University of Humanities in Moscow. Information about textiles from the period between the two world wars was collected from Estonian Orthodox Church newspapers of that time. Data on Soviet-era textiles was gathered through interviews with old priests and parish clerks. Information on textiles from the period of the restored Estonian Republic was obtained through interviews with priests and clergymen. Contemporary textiles were compared with modern church inventory ordering catalogues.

Политиката на Белград към турското и албанското малцинство в Югославската федерация с акцент на демографията от края на Втората световна война до смъртта на Тито

Author(s): Mariyana STAMOVA / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

In the article, the subject of research and analysis is the situation and status of the Turkish and Albanian minorities in the Yugoslav Federation after the Second World War, with an emphasis on Kosovo and Macedonia and the Yugoslav policy towards them. Because of the conflict with Kominform in June 1948 and the deterioration of the Yugoslav-Albanian relationship, the Belgrade leadership was worried about the reaction of the Albanian population in Yugoslavia. At the same time, to limit the demographic and ethnic invasion of the Albanians in Kosovo and Macedonia, Yugoslav authorities started a political campaign for their exportation. After the signing of the Yugoslav-Turkish agreement in 1953, which confirmed the convention from 1938 for the exportation of Turks from Yugoslavia in Turkey, the emigration into Turkey not only of Turks, but also Albanians, was legalized. Albanians in the Yugoslav federation got the possibility to define themselves as “Turks”, and thus to immigrate to Turkey (not Albania). In that way, many Albanians in Yugoslavia, mainly from Kosovo and Macedonia, declared themselves as “Turks”. In those years, Belgrade decided to intensify and renew the idea of emigrating the Muslim population, such as the Turks and Albanians, after World War II.

A Bibliometric Analysis of History Researches on Turkey 1975 – 2023

Author(s): Murat Soysal / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

The aim of this study is to exhibit a bibliometric analysis of historical studies on Turkey. A total of 1288 articles from 230 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database in the years 1975 – 2023 were used in the analysis. The analysis aims to provide a review of historical studies on Turkey by identifying the dynamics of research by presenting the periodical process, current situation, and future directions. The main focus of the analysis is set to the recent history of Turkey. Therefore, the scope of the study was defined as Turkey’s founding period, its aftermath, and the period up to the present day, and accordingly, the keywords ‘Turkey’, ‘Turkish Republic’, and ‘Republic of Turkey’ was utilized in the search query in the WoS database. On the data obtained, it is observed that the word ‘Turkey’ is found to be more than ‘Turkish Republic’ and ‘Republic of Turkey’ in the published articles. Also, most of the studies on Turkey were conducted in Turkey by Turkish authors. In this study, it is observed that the historical studies on Turkey are differentiated not only according to internal developments in Turkey, such as the foundation of the Republic, World War I, nationalism, etc. but also according to the effects of external factors, such as issues concerning asylum seekers/migrants, and regional issues such as the Middle East and the Black Sea.

Възможности за интегриране на добавена реалност като образователен инструмент в класната стая

Author(s): Nikolay Danev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

This article aims at presenting an author‘s method of using augmented reality in the classroom in order to improve students‘ learning motivation to develop their key skills. What makes the method different is its accessibility since neither money is needed for buying any software nor a high level of digital knowledge, as well as its functionality-it can be used by pedagogical specialists for all levels of secondary education. The use of augmented reality as an educational tool provides the opportunity for a higher level of presenting the teaching materials, which helps to enhance students‘ motivation, enabling them to develop their creative thinking. The article presents the pedagogical specialists’ preparation for work and provides definite examples for work with various applications.

В НОВИТЕ БРОЕВЕ НА СПИСАНИЯТА НА ,,АЗ-БУКИ“ ЧЕТЕТЕ

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

In memoriam Магдалена Елчинова

Author(s): Irena Bokova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 48/2024

Балканските култури. Диалог, трансфер, метаморфози.

Author(s): Angel Nikolov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 48/2024

Екатерина Дикова. Календарните двустишия на Христофор Митиленски и техните южнославянски преводи.

Author(s): Lora Taseva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 48/2024