site.btaChief Expert Kyustendil State Archives Showcases Rila Monastery’s UNESCO Story

Rilka Petrova, chief expert at the State Archives in Kyustendil, presented the reminiscences of Vladimir Karamanov, who was a teacher, historian, ethnographer and public figure, regarded as one of the foremost historiographers and experts on the Kyustendil region, at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Kyustendil.

Petrova also took part in unveiling the July issue of BTA’s LIK magazine, titled Bulgaria in UNESCO, which includes a feature on the Rila Monastery, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. 

The State Archives in Kyustendil holds an original handwritten memoir by Karamanov, entitled “Sixty Years Ago at the Rila Monastery”, penned in 1952.

Karamanov writes that the Rila Monastery, "the greatest Bulgarian sanctuary," was once a popular pilgrimage site for worshippers from all corners of Bulgaria, arriving by carriage, on horseback, with donkeys, or on foot. He recounts that the largest gatherings took place on the day of the monastery’s patronal feast of the First translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila, founder of Rila Monastery, observed on 19 October under the old calendar.

“Every Bulgarian and devout Christian, both young and old, considered themselves especially fortunate if they could visit this national shrine at least once in their life. The road to the monastery was suitable for travel by carriage and livestock. We, the youth at that time, were eager to go to the monastery as friends, and on foot,” Karamanov writes, as related by Petrova.

Petrova added that Karamanov gave a detailed account of the journey from Kyustendil to the Rila Monastery, which lasted three days and nights. Upon arrival, the group of young people was accommodated in a room granted by the monk Father Serapion. “We gave him two levs, the currency at the time, as a token of appreciation for bringing us vegetables from the monastery garden,” Karamanov recalls in his memoirs.

Karamanov also noted the presence of the "monastery shop, located on the lower floor of Hrelyo’s Tower," which still exists today, Petrova said. Icons, crosses and prayer beads were sold in the shop even then.

Karamanov recounts the group’s visit to the hermitage known as "St. Luke," as well as their crawling through the rocky cave where the saint and wonderworker is said to have lived and died. He describes in detail his participation in fishing in the river below the monastery. “It was quite full, but very clear… we caught plenty of trout,” the historian writes in his record.

Karamanov recounts the group’s visit to the hermitage known as "St. Luke," as well as their crawling through the rocky cave where the saint and wonderworker is said to have lived and died. He describes in detail his participation in fishing in the river below the monastery. “It was quite full, but very clear… we caught plenty of trout,” the historian writes in his record.

Karamanov’s memoir also includes memories of a late-night feast held by the young men in their room, after which they received a rebuke from Father Serapion, who slept in the adjoining quarters. The monk reminded them that “the monastery is not a tavern for merrymaking, but a place for peace, silence and contemplation.” The group, “having just graduated from secondary school and become free citizens,” were also warned on behalf of the brotherhood that if they carried on with such “boorish behaviour”, they would not be tolerated at the monastery and would have to leave.

The following day, the group bid farewell to Father Serapion, slipping a two-lev coin into his hand as a parting gift. Before departing, they stopped by the monastery office, where they left five levs, as pilgrims traditionally made donations in gratitude for the monastery’s hospitality, Karamanov writes.

“Throughout my life I have often gone to the monastery, welcomed by the brotherhood as an honoured guest, district governor and state prosecutor, entertained as befits such a visitor. I have many memories from those trips, but my fondest and most cherished is this journey with the donkey,” Karamanov relates in his memoirs.

Vladimir Karamanov was the father of the poet Vesa Paspaleeva, Petrova noted. She explained that from 1903 to 1907 he served as secretary to the district governor of Kyustendil and was later appointed district governor in Pleven. In 1908, he stood as a parliamentary candidate but was not elected. On August 20, 1913, he was appointed district governor in Kyustendil. From November 1, 1919, to March 4, 1931, he practised as a lawyer. On October 12, 1944, he was arrested on charges of fascist activity and spent six months in Kyustendil prison. He was later stripped of his pension rights.

The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee runs until July 16 at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris under the presidency of Bulgaria. As part of the session, Bulgaria will present elements of its cultural and natural heritage. The July issue of LIK magazine, dedicated to Bulgaria and UNESCO, was also officially presented at UNESCO.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on November 16, 1945. Bulgaria became a member on May 17, 1956, the same year its National Commission for UNESCO was established. The Commission coordinates activities between Bulgarian institutions and UNESCO.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is one of the two governing bodies responsible for implementing the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is composed of representatives from 21 countries elected from among the 196 States Parties to the Convention.