Култура

THE DAY OF WATCHERS reminds us again of the work of the Bulgarian National Revivalists, who in the 18th and 19th centuries spiritually built the Bulgarian nation. And if modern Bulgaria enters the following twentieth century with its significant successes, with its weight as a fast-growing, ambitious European country, then this is due to them OUR WATCHERS. This same twentieth century offers us shining examples of a whole host of continuations of their work. Our end has its representatives among them, who built the modern, modern look of Chepinsko. While digging through the library's history collection in Ledgene, I came across two very interesting old books. In fact, Valya, the head librarian of the Ledgene Community Center, who helped me in the search for a rare edition of a Chepinsko legend, turned my attention to these bibliographical discoveries. These were two editions of the Notices of the Ethnographic Museum Sofia from 1928, interesting with the included descriptions of wedding customs from Chepinsko. I was particularly impressed that both were inscribed with a short dedication by their compiler Hristo Vakarelski: "To the esteemed Ms. Gradinarova Stoyanka", follow the signature of Vakarelski, the date and place - 20. H. 1928 Sofia. For the younger I will clarify that Hristo Vakarelski is one of our most erudite and famous ethnographers of the twentieth century. And the following lines are dedicated to Stoyanka Gradinarova.
My first impressions of a public library are related to it. Years, decades have gone by since then imperceptibly. And then the two old books brought me back to those years, and the inscriptions on them led me to a study of her life. Gradually, in conversations with people who knew her, little known facts about a long, interesting and fulfilling life accumulated. I'll admit, there's a lot of questions left to be worked out.
Stoyanka Gradinarova was born in 1904. in Ludjene. Her parents can boldly be counted among that galaxy of Bulgarians, which Simeon Radev correctly defines as builders of modern Bulgaria. Their credit for the growth and modernization of this part of the Rhodope Mountains requires separate attention. Her father Ivan Gradinarov was at certain periods the head of the customs in Ledgene. As his grandson Vasil Sirakov described the situation under one government he was appointed, at the next fired and then re-appointed, so it took turns. But he did not leave the Chepino region, settled in Ludjene, got married, built a house, had two daughters.
Stoyanka Gradinarova first studied in Pazardzhik, graduated from high school in Stara Zagora, and then went home. The ensuing period is full of as-yet-unexplained issues. The History Museum holds a whole series of her photographs, handed over by her nephew Vasil Sirakov. On them are sealed moments of the life of Stoyanka Gradinarova and her relatives and friends in the period between the two world wars a modern and full of challenge to conservative life. Some light cast the two books of Hristo Vakarelski. Perhaps that was the beginning of their friendship. As a result, her records of ethnographic material from Kamenitsa and Rakitovo appear. As her nephews recalled, it was probably then that a whole group of friends formed an artist, a writer, a researcher. Friendship in the group was also preserved decades later. Creative circles were a characteristic phenomenon for Bulgarian culture during this period and it is possible that this is one such circle connected through Gradinarova and with Velingrad.
The subsequent period after World War II was considerably more full of famous events of her life. Since 1945. Gradinarova takes over the library in the community center "Otets Paisiy" district Ledgene.
The following decades were marked by significant achievements for her library work in Chepinsko. It introduced the decimal classification in libraries' funds. He also produced the first catalogues of these funds, personally I have made use of the Krajeniski file in the library of the district. Kamenitza. As the experts determined, Gradinarova puts the library work in Velingrad and Chepinsko on a scientific basis. She also has relevant publications in scientific journals about these achievements of hers, she has kept correspondence with the leaders in this field of science. All this was done thanks to her exceptional work capacity and dedication. In the first difficult years after the Second World War, she was not afraid to take a walk to Rakitovo and Dorkovo, she followed what was happening in St. Petka, she carried books on work sites and on sick people. It also takes risks in its new ventures. In 1951. Stoyanka Gradinarova opened in Velingrad the first summer reading room for the country. To this day, there are small tables and benches in the garden next to the Cream Bath in Lgen.
This brief life-description would not be complete if I did not mention my immediate impressions of its character and radiance. Tight in a bun of gray hair, strict clothing and respectful behavior this is my memory of my childhood years. But apparently she was able to convey to me her love of books. This affection and dedication to the library and community center, garnished with the respect it exudes, was also mentioned in my conversations with her relatives and her colleagues. "Just her life was in the community center." This short phrase is an admission from them. Somehow naturally there was also talk about the awards she received in recognition and at the state level diplomas, two badges "Excellence for reading activity" silver and gold, two orders "Cyril and Methodius" III and II degree. When we looked at them, it turned out that she had been modestly silent about some of them.
I will finally allow myself to quote the words of our compatriot Dimitar Dimitrov a man of her generation and environment: "She had her life quietly, was one of the most ethical people I knew." However, the traces of this life remain - like these impressive inscribed books or traces in people's hearts.
Georgi Kumanov