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Ivan is a title in Bulgaria, not a name!

Photo: Photo: wikipedia.org
Ivan is a title in Bulgaria, rather than a name only. This is what all Bulgarians who bear this name say, because it means God’s Blessing. These people celebrate name day on January 7. The Day of John the Baptist known in Bulgaria as Ivanovden is one of the most cherished feasts from antiquity to modern days. It is a symbol of the national spirit, faith, patriotism and the Bulgarian national traits, because Ivan is the name of the patron of the Bulgarian family Saint John of Rila. Many Bulgarian kings such as Ivan Assen, Ivan Shishman, Ivan Sratsimir, Ivan Alexander, etc, also bore this name.

History has it that Ivan is a Slavic version of the name Joan. On January 7 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint John the Baptist who is regarded as one of the two most significant saints in the New Testament. In fact, John is the most popular male name in the whole Christian world. 23 Popes, kings of Hungary, Poland, Portugal, France and Russia, as well as many Bulgarian rulers bore this name. It became popular among many nations long before the word globalization was invented. Bulgarian name Ivan equals to John in England, Jean in France, Gjon in Albania, Yahya in Turkey, etc. Moreover, this name is popular in the Far East as well - YueHa in China, Ion-han in Taiwan, etc.

More than 300 thousand Bulgarians celebrate Ivanovden on January 7. Ivan is the most popular name in Bulgaria. 3139 babies born in 2013 named Ivan or Ivanka joined the big club of all who bear this name. In Bulgaria, there are many songs, anecdotes and essays about the name Ivan. It is glorified in a pop music hit called Ivane, Ivane! “You wish to play Don Juan, but in fact you are only Ivan”, sings renowned Bulgarian pop musician Bogdana Karadocheva.

The Day of John the Baptist (Ivanovden) is associated with the Bulgarian Church which has preserved the Bulgarian national traits over the centuries and with the patron of the Bulgarians- Saint John of Rila. This day bears the glory of Great Bulgaria, reminding us of the names of all Bulgarian kings who were named Ivan and of the victories won on the battlefields. The female version of the name Ivan-Jovana and the song that glorifies her name is kinked with the patriotic feelings of the Bulgarians. One would definitely feel shivers down the spine when listening to the song Jovano Jovanke performed by great Bulgarian actor Djoko Rosic.

“It is a pure illusion that we could buy off the silliness of our rulers with our blood and bravery. Two hundred thousand men left their bones, Bulgarians, Serbs, Albanians, Turks and Jews. Bulgarian actor Djoko Rosic tells about the glory of the Bulgarian military men and the heroism shown by one of them who died for the unification of this country during the wars in the beginning of the 20th century. The wonderful song Jovano Jovanke is dedicated to this Bulgarian hero and the magnificent voice of Djoko Rosic sounds at the end like a prayer: “It does not matter which God you bow to! Neither Jesus, not Allah is my God! My God is named Jovana! She is my crucifix and my repentance! She is the only thing I have!”

King Ivan Shishman who was the Bulgarian ruler who led his people in a fierce battle against the Ottoman Empire is also praised in a folk song which sounds like a march. People call it an eternal song which makes your blood boil and your heart burn in flames!

“The army has been marching from an early dawn- horse by horse, hero next to hero. Their swords are shining like a bright sun and their spears form a dense forest. Bulgarian name and faith lead them along the battlefield”, the popular song reads.

This is why in Bulgaria Ivan is a title, not a name!

English version: Kostadin Atanasov
По публикацията работи: Tania Harizanova


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