Russia and the USSR in the Bulgarian National Ritual Year

Abstract

Russia and the USSR have played a very important role in the Bulgarian national processes from the National Revival period (19th century) until nowadays. The image of Russia and the Russians was at the core of the processes of developing a national festive calendar—both before and after 1944, as well as after the democratic changes in 1989. Although Russia is no longer considered “the big brother”, “brother nation”, “matushka” or “bratushki” and the ideological focus of the Bulgarian national narrative has changed, 3 March—the date of Liberation—did not lose its central place in the centre of the national calendar (it is the date of signing the peace treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in what came to be known in Bulgaria as the Liberation War of 1877—1878). The position of Russia and the Russians will be analysed in the paper from a historical perspective, as well as in view of the present debates and festive practices. The study is based on data collected by the author in the last four years.