Young Bulgarian writers explore the insights of Tsvetan Stoyanov

published on 6/17/10 12:23 PM

For the sixth time the Salon of Arts program included the national essay competition named after the great Bulgarian erudite, essayist, literary critic and translator Tsvetan Stoyanov. He died at 41, but has left a bright vestige in Bulgaria’s literary history. This time the topic given to the entrants in the essay competition was Tsvetan Stoyanov, the Prophet. The first prize went to Rayko Baychev, currently student at St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. Rayko works as reporter, but devotes a lot of time to writing as well.

“Before the competition I had read some of Tsvetan Stoyanov’s works. I later read most of them. I feel very close to his way of thinking. Like him I have a soft spot for Dostoyevsky. What I discovered was that many of Tsvetan Stoyanov’s findings are valid where about our present-day reality is concerned. So I wrote an essay comparing his world of the 1960s with our world today. Here is one example. Though he never used the word ‘image’ he wrote quite a lot about the drive of people to create a certain appearance, instead of expressing their true selves. And we know that this mindset is rather widespread these days. One of Tsvetan Stoyanov’s key themes is alienation. I wrote about a paradox: though communications have developed to unheard of heights, we haven’t got closer. Unfortunately, the Internet cannot act as a solution to growing alienation.”

The essay written by Rayko Baychev provides us with intriguing insights into consumer society. Writes he: “The modern choice imposed by society today, is, ‘Become a consumer, or you will become an outsider!’ We have been enslaved by pleasures and things – and we entertain the illusion that we have power on them. On the contrary: we do not own things – they own us. The contemporary world has given rise to consumption – the most powerful drug of all. It thrives on an overwhelming number of human shortcomings – egocentrism, envy, greed and the fear of lagging behind.” The chairman of the jury in the competition was prominent Bulgarian writer Anton Donchev. “I am so sorry that you can’t see Tsvetan facing you, talk to him and take away with you the memory of an ever-smiling face; a man exuding light all the time”, Anton Donchev said addressing young essayists. Here is more from him as he talked to a Radio Bulgaria reporter.

“We had fewer essays this year, but they are of higher quality – due to the topic. All participants have thought in-depth about it, and with passion. Tsvetan Stoyanov is my coeval. We have studied together at the university; we were together every day. His spiritual presence has never left us. Unfortunately, some of his prophecies have come true in a rather sad way. The participants in the competition have seen that happen. I am impressed with the way they have interpreted Tsvetan’s works with a desire to get to a deeper meaning. So, I guess we have to be satisfied with the outcome. I hope that for the young writers this will not be a single episode, but an integral part of a path they will follow in the future.”

The total of 397 young writers from across Bulgaria have joined the six editions of the Tsvetan Stoyanov national essay competition. Six essay volumes with essays have been released too. The new volume, Tsvetan Stoyanov, the Prophet, includes nine works. On the occasion of the 80th birth anniversary of the renowned intellectual the prize-giving ceremony included the opening of a memorial outside his house of birth in Sofia.

English version Daniela Konstantinova

По публикацията работи: Veneta Pavlova

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Young Bulgarian writers explore the insights of Tsvetan Stoyanov

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