VENETS: the Belogradchik journal for local history, cultural heritave and folk studies

5-11

Authors: V. Kachev

In 1922-1924, after the end of the Civil war in Russia, the White Army came in Bulgaria from Gallipoli. The famous Markov regiment occupied the empty barracks of the former 15th Lom Infantry Regiment in Belogradchik. In the next years some of the officers and soldiers of that Russian regiment remained in Belogradchik and Bulgaria and Bulgarians were so kind to shelter them. The new poem by Valentin Kachev is devoted to the Belogradchik “belogvardejci” [white soldiers].

68-89

Authors: S. J. Ayodabo

Ola Rotimi Kurunmi has generally been classified as a tragedy, historical play, postcolonial text, satire etc. Such general classifications have limited the analyses of the play to thematic thoughts such as cultural clash, postcolonial disillusionment, and its understanding as an emblem of the Greek dramatic tradition. For this reason, this paper examines the issue of traditionalism in the play centering on the faithfulness of the writer in utilizing actual historical materials and personalities of the 19th century Yoruba war between Ijaye and Ibadan armies (in Nigeria) and its implication on the general sensibility of the society. The paper examines the role of the major character of the play, Kurunmi, as a traditionalist and how his display of epic heroism helps produce resounding themes of socio-cultural relevance. It argues that a conscious reading of the personalities, attributes, and egos of Kurunmi as a traditionalist would make the reader have the privilege of having a real sense of the complex nature of Kurunmi character rather than seeing him as a prototype of a Greek tragic hero.

121-127

Authors: B. V. Toshev

This slim book contains 11 legends about Belogradchik and its vicinity and people. The book is illustrated. The author of the book is Stefan Strigachev (1935-2000). Additionally, the text of the book is exhilarated by several clever rhymes written also by the author.