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

273-278

Authors: B.V. Toshev

This is an unpublished manuscript written in 1982 in memoriam of Hristo Kostov (d. November, 2nd, 1982), f. assistant professor at the University of Sofia. Hristo Kostov was a specialist in didactics of physics. He was known as one of the most successful physics teachers in Bulgaria. The building of the astronomical observatory in Belogradchik was his idea.

286-313

Authors: M. Gotchev

Lt. Gochev published in 1916 a poetry book entitled ‘Recollections from the Battlefields’ [Bojni spomeni]: "in memory of fallen heroes in this war from the 15th Infantry Lom Regiment”. Central place in this book of poetry is the poem "Zhivko and Nevena”. Neither the book nor the poetic attempts of the Bulgarian officer are now familiar to modern audiences.

330-346

Authors: B. Ubong

‘Traditional’ marriage among Ibibio people of Southern Nigeria is as much entertainment as it is serious drama that prepares a couple and their families for a life-long relationship. Although the script may be short, the entire event, from the pre-public ceremony to the post-public, in-house ceremonies is a deft admixture of rhetoric, song, dance, spectacle, character, and thought. The difference is that the event is not an imitation, but a mixture of human action and reaction in real time. The three unities may not apply as action is usually originated long before that special day but each traditional marriage (public) ceremony that precedes, and is seen as being more important than a ‘white wedding,’ can be seen as a complete event in and of itself, taking place at the same venue, within a time frame and milieu, and concluded in one day. The performance lasts a lifetime and binds not just two people, but two families, sometimes two communities and two cultures. Christianity and economics have forced changes but the fundamentals remain – that the event is verily an admixture of drama and reality aimed at ensuring continuity of society.

388-392

Authors: V. Kachev

Four poems by Valentin Kachev are presented. These rhymes are inspired from Kachev’s memories from his native town of Belogradchik.

400-400

Authors: Appendix: No author

A painting entitled "To Belogradchik" by Viorel Marginean (b. 1933, Romania).