The “Rodolubets” (Patriot) almanac is a collection of texts by compatriots of ours – Bulgarians in other countries, living in the regions of Bessarabia, Tavria and Crimea. But it is so much more than just a green-coloured book because it gives expression to the bond with Bulgaria, showing that the Bulgarian spirit is very much alive and is passed down from generation to generation, even by people living outside the bounds of the country. This collection, created 33 years ago as a platform for Bessarabian Bulgarians, has now turned into a prestigious almanac for works by Bulgarians living elsewhere in the world as well.

The 11^th edition is also connected with the 33^rd anniversary of the establishment of the cultural and educational association for contacts with the Bessarabian and Tavrian Bulgarians called “Rodolubets”. Through the years, the association has endeavoured to promote the contacts with our compatriots from Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries. Its mission is to keep the focus on, and to nurture respect for these Bulgarians who have kept the Bulgarian spirit alive. The Agency for Bulgarians Abroad has also supported “Rodolubets” through the years.

The 11^th edition is edited by poetess Tanya Tanasova, a Bessarabian Bulgarian who has been living in this country for many years. She approached the literature section with particular care – for the first time it includes authors from 7 countries. “This edition reached out to other Bulgarian communities as well – in Albania, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine and other countries. They add to the diversity of the Bulgarian spirit, making it more vivid, more tenacious,” says Tanya Tanasova in an interview with Radio Bulgaria:

“Probably because we, Bulgarians abroad, and especially Bessarabian Bulgarians know what it is like to be living outside your country. It is true that that is where we were born, but we are part of the minority, and that is why Bulgaria as our ancestral home is so dear to our hearts.”

The first pages of the almanac are always written by the members of the association, and are about its activities, which include mediation in sending students to study in universities in Bulgaria, as well as teachers, delegated by the Ministry of Education to work with the Bressarabian Bulgarians.

“In Bulgaria too, if anyone wants to find out more about Bessarabian Bulgarians, they can do so from our almanac,” says Tanya Tanasova:

“The new edition of the almanac is dedicated to Toncho Vassilev, the man behind the work of the association who is now turning 90. But there is one more person we ought to mention – Prof. Mihail Dihan, a prominent name among the Bulgarian community in Bessarabia. He lived in Odessa, he was a very special man, and now there will be a museum in his house in his home village of Blagoevo. Gana Paneva was also an extraordinary phenomenon – she was an actress in Veliko Turnovo but once she found out about Bessarabian Bulgarians she developed such a passion that she went and lived with them, and gave many interviews for the local TV and radio stations. Regrettably, she passed away a little before the almanac was released, but it features the last texts she sent us.”

Editor Tanya Tanasova says she welcomes any Bulgarian living in another country who has written anything in the Bulgarian language and has sent it to the “Rodolubets” editorial office.

“That is so important, so as not to sever the bond with Bulgaria, but it is also important for Bulgaria because of the messages this conveys to all of us, in this country. What Bulgaria needs is a declaration of love.”

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova