Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Yasna Polyana village still remembers the Tolstoyan commune from the turn of the 20th century

Photo: library

The village’s old name was Alan Kayryak and it is located south of the city of Burgas, in the foothills of Mount Strandzha. It is known for its many stork nests as

from his home in Yasnaya Polyana in Russia, together with his doctor, to join his followers in Bulgaria, but on the way fell sick and died.

The colony close to the Bulgarian seashore fell apart in 1908 but had a lasting impact on the villagers. Today there is an intriguing museum collection there dedicated to the Tolstoyan commune and their teacher.

Find out more about the Bulgarian well as… the Bulgarian Tolstoyans.

In October 1906 the famed Tolstoyan commune was founded in the village by a group of enthusiasts. They were followers of the philosophy of Russian writer Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy preaching non-violence and a new freer way of life.

It is thought that at the end of his life the world famous writer and humanist started out Tolstoyans HERE.

Compiled by Veneta Nikolova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The motives behind the Party House arson remain shrouded in mystery to this day

Today marks 35 years since since one of the most emblematic events  in Bulgaria’s post-communist history — the arson of the former Communist Party House. The causes behind the incident remain shrouded in mystery to this day. The criminal case..

published on 8/26/25 6:50 AM

The unique spectacle "Sound and Light" in Veliko Tarnovo - for the first time with live music

The unique audio-visual show "Sound and Light" in the Balkans, and in Europe, which recreates important moments from Bulgarian history against the backdrop of the centuries-old remains of heroic eras in the old capital Veliko Tarnovo, is celebrating..

published on 8/17/25 1:05 PM

The essence of the Transfiguration of the Lord is in spiritual transformation

On August 6, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates one of the twelve great feasts of the Lord – the Transfiguration of the Lord. It is connected with one of the most important evangelical events – the appearance of Jesus Christ in..

published on 8/6/25 6:15 AM