“Nikola Vaptsarov” Foreign Language High School, Shumen, Bulgaria

 

 

Movements and defenders of freedom of thought, expression and information

 

"Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice."

 

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed and ratified by

Republic of Bulgaria

 

An obvious shape of dissidence (general disagreement and dissent with the dominating ideology, as of opposing the standing political order)seen in Bulgaria up until the mid 80s of the last century could be most appropriately considered rather undeveloped and unexpressed. Prompted by either the typical Bulgarian ability to effectively adapt any way of life, or by influential foreign political ideologies, the pursuit of lucidity and publicity that is, in actual fact, realizable solely by means of dissidence, seems undeclared and altogether indistinguishable.

Nevertheless, the innovative though rebellious intelligentsia paves the way for the brightly pronounced discontent with these circumstances, evolved out of the nearly speechless disagreement. Such undisguised dissatisfaction has been given voice throughout the years by people such as the satirist Radoy Ralin, caricaturists Boris Dimovski and Todor Tsonev, poets Constantine Pavlov and Stephan Tsanev. Two repressive literary works come into view in the early 80s, namely the philosopher Zhelyu Zhelev's "The Fascism", pointing out similarities between the fascist dictatorship and the socialist regime, and the novel "Face" by the poetess Blaga Dimitrova, opposing the conceptual ideals of the anti-fascist war to the socialist veritable reality.

The earliest Bulgarian dissident institution to be ever established - "Public committee for Ecological preservation of the city of Rousse" comes into sight with the premiere of the movie "Breathe". A statute and a declaration are laid down, whereas the elected leadership of the committee prominently stands out as consisting of a whole host of notable characters - writer George Mishev, actor Peter Slabakov, artist Svetlin Rousev, calisthenics coach Neshka Robeva, journalist-woman Sonya Bakish and others. Later on, in the autumn of 1988, the revolutionary dissident uplift moves on with the initiation of the purely political institution "Alliance for backing openness and reform in Bulgaria". Besides being mostly members of the BCP, the alliance's originators turn out to even be "expressive antagonists of fascism", such as the poet Christo Radevski, director Dutcho Moundrov, philosopher Prof. Kiril Vasilev, chemist academician Aleksey Sheludko, Radoy Ralin and others. Amongst the founders, as partaking in the alliance, are met intellectuals who have already left their mark as opponents of the authority, such as the poetess Blaga Dimitrova and the philosopher Zhelyu Zhelev, to name but some. The Alliance's programme declaration creates intensely ambitious and purposeful conceptual outlook - intent on delineating the cardinal problems of society and seeking their resolutions. As pointing out the president Zhivkov as a formidable obstacle in the process of democratization, the Alliance smoothes the way of the long-awaited "rebellion" against the regime. What is more, the ecological movement develops simultaneously with the occurring changes. In early 1989 actor Peter Slabakov lays the groundwork for a new institution, shaped up as an "association" and entitled "Ecoglasnost" (="Eco Lucidity"), so that can result in the establishment of The Independent Society "Ecoglasnost" , led by president Peter Slabakov and officer in the person of the scriptwriter George Avramov.

 The onward march of the ideological revival introduces intense radical changes, led to the appearance of new movements, simultaneously unifying the vital spark of Bulgaria as well as the innovative European approach. Above all however, the existence of these movements is prompted by the elevated pursuit of lucidity, liberty of thought and of expression.

The figure of a proven dissident, initiating a new cultural pattern of tolerance, broad-mindedness, altruistic behavior and altogether democracy throughout a period of socially ideological change, is expressively embodied by a national hero, namely in the person of the above mentioned Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev.

Born on 3 March 1935 in the village of Veselinovo, (region of Shumen city) Zhelev descends from an indigent family. Having finished secondary education at II boys’ high school in Shumen, he graduates with a degree in philosophy from the Sofia University in 1958. In 1960, Zhelev is admitted to membership of the Bulgarian Communist Party after being employed as a payroll secretary at the municipal committee of DCYU (A youth communist party) in his birthplace. In the end of his post-graduate course, Zhelev defends а master’s thesis entitled “Philosophical definition of matter and contemporary natural science”, in which he criticizes the Marxist-Leninist theory, appealing for “entire and conclusive rout of the opinionated and dictatorial Marxism-Leninism and its departments”. After being printed in 200 copies via duplicating-machine, Zhelev’s dissertation is widely spread amongst scholarly and artistic circles of intellectuals.

On account of that, Zhelev is expelled from BCP, as accused of displaying anti-Marxist and anti-materialistic attitude, having nothing in common with the party’s conceptual views. Deprived of a student fellowship and expelled from the university, he is subsequently “through a fixed routine” sent into exile. Furthermore, temporarily taken away his Sofia citizenship, Zhelev is compelled to settle down in his spouse’s home village, Grozden (region of Bourgas). That is where in 1967 he completes his extensively substantial work “The Totalitarian State”, published as late as 1982 and entitled “The Fascism” (total print of 10 000 copies, 4000 of which are confiscated from bookstores and libraries 3 weeks after its publication).

“The Fascism” (formerly “The Totalitarian State”) is considered as Zhelyu Zhelev’s most conspicuous work, which practically stunned The State Security Council as well as the superior party functionaries. In essence the work itself doesn’t draw any barefaced analogies. Despites, the philosopher adduces factual matter and as appropriately lining it up the sinister truth comes into light – the Nazi and the communist political system draw nearly no distinction between themselves, but if any, it is of no benefit to Communism. The mere headings of particular chapters are eloquently enough verbalized: “Coalescence of government machinery with the party one”, “Thoroughgoing affiliation of population in the shape of state institutions”, “Dogmatic way of thinking in devotion to the government leader” , to name but some. Zhelev embarks upon delineation, purposed to result in the totalitarian system’s ultimate break-up.

In 1974 he is allowed to defend his thesis and received his M. Sc. degree, whereas in 1975 the philosopher launches his career as a research associate in the Culture Institute. Throughout the period 1977-1982, Zhelev heads the “Culture and personality” department of the institute. In 1988 he obtains his doctor’s degree. In January 1992 he becomes the first democratically elected Bulgarian president in Bulgaria’s first direct presidential elections. During his term of office Zhelev has indisputably rendered great services to the long-awaited rupture with totalitarianism as well as the occurred predominance of democracy and free market economy. Zhelev manages to safeguard the national peace under exceptionally laborious and menacing circumstances.

 

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