Andiana Spasova
Institute for Literature
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Sofia, Bulgaria
https://doi.org/10.53656/bel2021-2-6-apropo.rad
Abstract. The focus of research is the discovery of one of the little-known Bulgarian intellectuals of the nineteenth century – Rada Kirkovich, who lived nearly a century (1848, Koprivshtitsa – 1941, Sofia). Her public presence as a teacher, public figure and writer is an important example of the gradual displacement of a woman from the marginal sphere and the breaking of patriarchal stereotypes in Bulgarian society. The article consistently focuses on the letters, memoirs and solemn words of the Revival teacher R. Kirkovich, which testify precisely to the changes in the cultural and political situation during the Bulgarian National Revival. Some of the materials reviewed and analyzed are from the personal archive of Nayden Gerov (Fund 22 of the National Library – Bulgarian Historical Archive). In this library are kept unpublished and unexplored letters (F. 22, I, a.u. 190, l. 1 – 29) of Rada Kirkovich , as well as one of her triumphant speeches on the feast of the Annunciation. (F. 22, I, a.u. 595, 29 – 32b). These entries prove to be productive and not so timid and modest and show the entry point of the educated woman within the strictly regulated limits of the Revival publicity.
Keywords: Rada Kirkovich; Bulgarian National Revival; women’s schools; Nayden Gerov; Archives of the XIX century; female education
