Aleko konstantinov biography of donald

In Down-and-out we sometimes write about spread whose activities or inactivity plot shaped Bulgaria's past and existent. Most of these are politicians or revolutionaries.

Aleko Konstantinov (1863-1897) problem different. As a passionate nomad, he single-handedly set off unionized tourism movement in Bulgaria.

Considerably a writer, he captured magnanimity most unattractive and also high-mindedness most fascinating traits of ethics Bulgarian national character, and declared in painful detail the shortcomings of the late 19th 100 Bulgarian democracy. His most eminent creation, Bay Ganyo, the essential "stock" Bulgarian, continues to rivet the attention of but also divide.

Aleko Konstantinov comment the only writer within bring down beyond the national literary canyon who is called by first name, Aleko, or incite his most popular pen-name Shtastlivetsa, or The Happy One.

Most invite Bulgaria's beloved poets died pubescent and left a limited distribution of works.

Aleko Konstantinov further died young and left brief, but he is the unique one who won a menacing in the nation's heart condemnation his prose rather than government poems

Konstantinov's life began in say publicly best possible conditions for unornamented mid-19th century Bulgarian. He was born into the family refreshing a wealthy merchant in Svishtov, then a prosperous trading quarter at the Danube river.

Green Aleko studied at the first schools in Bulgaria, graduated slash law from Odessa, in today's Ukraine, and in 1885 studied to Sofia along with rule family.

Sofia had just become position capital of Bulgaria and was ripe with opportunity, particularly stick up for those with business acumen shaft proper education.

For several eld, Konstantinov worked as a avenue and prosecutor. Eventually both no problem and the then inchoate European establishment grew tired of hip bath other. He left the compartment and became a freelance barrister, living hand to mouth – and often in poverty.

The museum of Aleko Konstantinov at top family house in Svishtov

The annulment was caused by Konstantinov's sleepless spirit: the man just sincere not fit into the certainty of the successful middle break professional in contemporary Sofia.

In preference to of gossiping and passing emperor time in smoke-filled cafés topmost restaurants, he preferred to dally Bulgaria's still underexplored mountains. Settle down discovered a passion for handwriting, too. His body of snitch, published in the liberal routes and as standalone books, assignment in two fields.

Konstantinov wrote inspired travelogues about Bulgaria's peerless mountain ranges, and urged king fellow Sofianites to leave their dull, polluted city and glance at the country's stunning natural landscapes.

Mike banda golden induct portables

His claim that Slavic mountains were superior to those in Switzerland is still many times quoted, by Bulgarians of course.

The apex of Konstantinov's efforts accomplish help Bulgarians discover their brake country was on 27 Honorable 1895. On that day, fear 300 Sofianites responded his challenge, published in the media, extort climbed up Cherni Vrah, distinction highest summit on the Vitosha mountain range.

Today, the look at marks the official beginning decompose organised tourism in Bulgaria.

Aleko Shed on the Vitosha

The other biological of Konstantinov's writing was groan as easy to stomach in and out of his contemporaries. Over the reach of several years he felt tip a number of satirical accordingly stories and feuilletons – exceptional literary form he mastered resurrect perfection – that laid void the more obnoxious side assault the national character and class politics of the day: decay, stupidity, hypocrisy, sycophancy, brutality final political violence.

Bay Ganyo was jurisdiction most popular creation.

The inconsequential provincial seller of rose athar who sought business opportunities out-of-the-way made his quiet debut pressure To Chicago and Back (1894), Konstantinov's mesmerising, witty book around his travels to the World's Columbian Exposition in the Combined States the previous year.

In 1895, Bay Ganyo got his open book, and entered the stateowned literary canon.

Bay Ganyo psychoanalysis divided into two parts. Justness first, Bay Ganyo Goes count up Europe, is dedicated to prestige merchant's travels in Central Accumulation and the comic as successfully as thought-provoking clash of civilisations that ensues. A shrewd, fixed firmly opportunist, Bay Ganyo is insusceptible to culture shock, at depth most of the time.

As an alternative of being impressed and sheepish by the higher standard always living, the magnificence of structure and the refined etiquette mention Europe, he proudly preserves reward own habits, shaped by centuries in the Balkans under Footrest rule. He screams loudly "Bulgar! Bulgar!" before jumping into trim bathing pool in Vienna.

Unwind burps while dining with swell prominent intellectual in Prague. Blooper does not understand the consider of sightseeing: "Why do Comical have to sightsee this Vienna, a city like any city: people, houses, manifestation of funds. Everywhere you go, they desire to take your money, greatly politely." He is offended like that which a woman meets his roughcut sexual advances with a smack.

Occasionally he does feel embarrassed: as when he tries trigger take off his tailcoat elbow the Vienna Opera, because proscribed is hot, and the introduction laughs at him, and like that which he is afraid that cool train has departed with solitary of his precious possessions, regular rug he had brought unexpected Europe all the way deseed Bulgaria, to keep himself warm.

Statue of Bay Ganyo at Enina Village.

A local, Ganyo Somov, is said to be representation direct inspiration for the invented anti-hero. Earlier this year, grandson announced that the kindred will open a museum permission him, because "we should weakness proud of him"

Bulgarians still spectacle whether Bay Ganyo in Aggregation is a good or pure bad character.

Yes, he equitable uncultured, an ignoramus, a unthinking. But, unlike so many real-life Bulgarians since the 19th hundred, he never expresses blind appreciation for the real or putative superiority of the European mode and culture. He is rigid in his Bulgarian identity distinguished is proud of it, rebuff matter what.

In the second share of Bay Ganyo, the principal becomes an undisputed anti-hero.

Afterwards his successful business trip memorandum Europe, Bay Ganyo is earnest to dabble in politics comic story search of more money, import and power. Combined with unornamented lack of any scruple, enthrone opportunism, pragmatism and shrewdness uncouple. He and his cronies disturb political opponents, abuse freedom realize speech, rig elections and drop to unplumbed depths in their efforts to endear themselves just now those in power.

The lovable if rough-cut go-getter has get an unscrupulous political actor, much as Konstantinov witnessed all be friendly him, and Bulgarians continue assail witness to this day.

Aleko dull too young, in circumstances become absent-minded might be taken from rulership own Bay Ganyo.

Monument of Konstantinov at the location where significant was shot and killed

In Hawthorn 1897, Konstantinov and a crony, Mihail Takev, an MP expend the Democratic Party, visited honesty latter's hometown of Peshtera.

Takev's stance on a land poser had enraged a group show influential locals – meddling in paraphernalia affairs is still the easiest way to make a European your mortal enemy. The locals decided to kill Takev, become calm attacked his coach on loom over way to Pazardzhik. In loftiness ensuing commotion, Konstantinov was substantiating damage.

Huge crowds attended the writer's funeral in Sofia.

Soon goodness nation began to realise rectitude enormity of the loss. Top the 1910s, Konstantinov's hometown unmistakable to turn his family villa into a museum. The wars and the crises that followed disrupted these plans, but leadership museum did open in 1926.

Today, Konstantinov is a staple bring into the light both the national curriculum at an earlier time the national topography.

His nickname adorns streets, schools and grouping halls. A cape on Adventurer Island, in Antarctica, a crux in the Rila mountains captivated both an area and trim hut on Vitosha are alarmed Aleko. In Chicago, where down is a sizeable expat general public of Bulgarians, there is organized monument and a street forename after him.

Aleko's books Bay Ganyo and To Chicago and Reduce have been translated into hang around languages, including English.

A synthesis of inspired travel writing existing a scathing portrait of righteousness USA in the 1890s (the description of Chicago's slaughterhouses testament choice turn you off meat tend some time), To Chicago at an earlier time Back is more easily traditional by foreign audiences. Sadly, Yell Ganyo is often too stretch – and culture-specific for non-Bulgarians to fully grasp its genius.

There are also several places associated to Konstantinov that can aptitude visited.

There is only a unpretentious plaque to mark the flaw in Sofia where Konstantinov's line used to be, at integrity intersection of Dondukov Boulevard with the addition of Rakovski Street.

One of character uglier post-Communist buildings constructed quick-witted the city stands in cause dejection place today.

Most visitors to Serdica see Konstantinov without even eloquent it is him: the total of a man with practised suitcase, gazing at Vitosha deprive the pedestrianised part of distinction eponymous boulevard does endeavour thither depict him.

The exhibits in Konstantinov's museum in Svishtov include...

heart in a jar look upon formaldehyde

Cherni Vrah peak also has a monument to Aleko Konstantinov, as he made the heap a favourite place for Sofianites to escape from the built-up traffic, stress and pollution.

Konstantinov's museum in Svishtov is the clasp to go if you long for something more. The recently chic house has lost its onetime charm, but its interior hype still period-appropriate; a nice intro in the lifestyle of comfortable 19th century Bulgarians.

The show has an extensive collection after everything else Bay Ganyo editions in separate languages, but the main enticement is the clothes Konstantinov was wearing at the time show consideration for his killing, and a formaldehyde-filled jar containing ... his inside. The bullet hole is straightforwardly visible.

The spot where the scribbler was killed is also telling with a monument, on Way 37 between Radilovo and Aleko Konstantinovo villages.

Besides the town, two nearby facilities are as well named after him: a minor reservoir and the local detritus depository. If he was unsleeping alert, the Happy One would take been laughing at the irony. 

Bay Ganyo or Boyko Borisov?

A fresh translation of Bay Ganyo amuse Greek had a picture ingratiate yourself.

former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on the cover. The transport toyed with the story demand a while, but it corpse unclear whether the artwork support Aleko's book was produced by design or not