site.btaSilistra and Dobrich Host Discussions on Poet Pencho Slaveykov's 160th Anniversary

Discussions under the name "Pencho Slaveykov Today" and dedicated to Slaveykov's 160th birth anniversary and to Bulgarian modernism were organized by BTA in BTA's national press clubs in Silistra, on the Danube, and Dobrich, Northeastern Bulgaria, on Thursday.

Silistra

The participants in the forum agreed that Pencho Slaveykov should be taken not only as one of the founders of modern Bulgarian literature but also as a figure who raises questions about the development of culture, the role of the artist and humanity's place in the world.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev noted that Slaveykov's understanding of modernity combines the opening up of Bulgarian culture to Europe with the preservation of national identity. Valchev also highlighted examples of the modernization of Silistra at the end of the 19th century through the establishment of new cultural institutions.

The discussion's moderator, Yordan Eftimov, emphasized the need to view Slaveykov's work not only through his biographical connections to specific places but as a key to understanding Bulgarian culture, cultural memory and the country's spiritual landscapes.

The Director of the Silistra branch of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, Assoc. Prof. Rumyana Lebedova, drew attention to Slaveykov's moral maximalism and his understanding of creativity as a mission. She said that the poet sets high standards for both the author and the reader, while his ideas on spiritual perfection remain relevant to this day.

Journalist Yordan Georgiev drew attention to the link between Slaveykov and folk art. He recalled that the poem Koledari is an example of the poet's endeavour to make the folklore heritage part of modern national culture.

Vanya Ignatova, an expert at the Silistra Regional Department of Education, emphasized Slaveykov's place in school education. In her view, he should be presented not merely as a canonical figure but as an author whose ideas on coming of age, making choices and personal development can resonate with young people.

Literature teacher Tatyana Hristova said that Slaveykov's works provide an opportunity to discuss spiritual growth, human qualities and personal responsibility with today's pupils. She noted that the pursuit of perfection is one of the most characteristic features of his work.

Literature teacher Vladi Vladev argued that Slaveykov's poetry requires slow and careful reading. In his view, it is precisely in such highly artistic texts that the "true language" can be found, one that stands in contrast to the superficial reception of information in the modern world.

Dobrich

One of the main conclusions following the meeting in Dobrich was that Slaveykov should be presented to young people not as a difficult author to understand but through his personality, life story and the themes that remain relevant to today's pupils.

Valchev pointed out that the goal of the campaign is to show how Bulgarian modernism manifests itself in different parts of the country and what its dimensions are today. He said that at the time when Slaveykov was modernizing Bulgarian literature, Dobrich was forging its own modernity.

Eftimov raised the question of how Slaveykov is represented in the school curricula. In his view, labelling him from the outset as a philosophical poet creates a preconceived notion among pupils that his work is difficult to understand. The moderator said that the image of Slaveykov would be different if, alongside his well-known poems, pupils were also introduced to his letters or the prose portraits in the anthology On the Island of the Blessed, which reveal the author as a brilliant storyteller, full of humour, irony and vitality.

Poet and lecturer Atanaska Georgieva drew attention to the different interpretations of Slaveykov's work. In her words, a deeper understanding is required to fully comprehend and appreciate the poet. She described Slaveykov as a "priest in the temple of noble art" and as one of the figures who laid the foundations of modern Bulgarian literature. "Slaveykov believed that a literature is doomed to failure, if it waters only its own roots. He insisted that Bulgarian literature should break free from its artistic provincialism and stand shoulder to shoulder with European literature," said Georgieva.

Writer and literary critic Dragomil Georgiev highlighted another aspect of Slaveykov's work. He pointed out that Slaveykov's example shows how European culture can be combined with Bulgarian folklore and spiritual tradition without losing national identity.

According to teacher Albena Lungova, pupils find the poet's works much easier to engage with when the teacher does not set them up in advance by suggesting that the texts are difficult. She stated that the ballad Inseparable often proves to be the work through which Year 7 pupils most easily discover Slaveykov.

Lecturer Radka Sutreva emphasized the importance of the author's personality. In her words, when students learn about Slaveykov's personal tragedy and his love for Mara Belcheva, they begin to engage with his works on a much more emotional level and empathize with the characters' fates.

Teacher Kornelia Valkova noted that today's teenagers discover themes in works such as Cis Moll that deeply move them – loneliness, suffering and strength of spirit. Pupils who are involved in music in particular recognize in the poem the idea that great art is often born precisely through the overcoming of suffering.

Teacher Dimitrichka Vlaseva shared that pupils engage with Inseparable primarily through the characters' choices and the theme of love. She emphasized that if children do not empathize with the fate of the literary characters, the work remains merely "between the pages of the textbook".

Students also joined the discussion, sharing their experiences from school and university. Kristiyan Ivanov, a student of Bulgarian philology, said that works such as Sleeps The Lake and Cis Moll continue to provoke reflection among young people, because they raise questions about the human inner world, suffering and spiritual elevation.

Asen Mutafchiev who studies Pedagogy of Teaching Bulgarian Language and Geography noted that Slaveykov is one of the most challenging authors to teach, as pupils make a sharp transition from National Revival literature to the philosophical and modernist ideas found in his work. He stated that, as a future teacher, he would seek more contemporary ways of introducing the poet to his pupils.

Valchev reported that the national campaign will continue with a further six meetings, and that the concluding discussion will take place at Slaveykov's house in Sofia. He added that BTA will continue to encourage young people's participation in promoting Bulgarian literature, including through content on social media, so that discussions about Bulgaria's intellectual leaders reach new generations as well.

The "Pencho Slaveykov Today" initiative is being held in all 33 BTA national press clubs across the country. The first meeting dedicated to Slaveykov was in his hometown of Tryavna on April 27, when the 160th anniversary of his birth was celebrated.

The December 2026 issue of BTA's LIK magazine will be dedicated to Pencho Slaveykov. In addition to reports from the discussions, the issue will feature a special collection of 160 words by 160 contributors marking the 160th anniversary of the poet's birth.