“Glory to the Light”

By Maria Stanachkova

    Slaveikovi is the family name of a kin of Bulgarian poets - the most famous of them being Petko Slaveikov and Pencho Slaveikov - a father and a son, who left a remarkable trace in Bulgarian literature. Their works, in which patriotism and moral are deeply woven, are taught and presented at Bulgarian schools and considered to be indispensable inspiration for the generations to follow. The memory and the spirit of the two gifted men are alive due to the deed of a bright and consistent woman - Svetoslava Slaveikova - a name unknown to the most of contemporary youth, not only all over the world, but also even in Bulgaria, her native country.       

     Svetoslava is the only grandchild to Petko Slaveikov in his lifetime. The Doom deprived the little girl of her mother on the very day of delivery, but The Destiny provided the new-born with the favourable chance of being fostered by the poet, himself, and adopted by her mother’s sister. The little child was dearly cherished by her uncles and aunts, who were all educated at the most highly-ranged colleges and universities at that time – in Turkey, Russia, France and Switzerland. Thus, the young lady benefited from the constant communication with close people, who were, in fact, eminent personalities, belonging to the intellectual elite of the beginning of the 20th century. It was also an invaluable opportunity for her to play and gain life experience in the family orchard, where the literary club “Misul” (“Thought”) along with famous artistes gathered to share creative ideas and discus actual issues.

      Being true to the family beliefs, she matured earnest for knowledge, patriotic for her native country and passionate for justice, just as her grandfather – a national leader of the Bulgarian Enlightenment and Renaissance. According to the leading tradition of the time, Svetoslava continued her education in Austria and later in Munich, Germany, attending courses in finance. Petko Slaveikov’s granddaughter had a good command of many European languages – English, German, Russian, French and Greek. She had her long-lasting relationships with famous Bulgarian writers and artists like Phanny Mutaphova and Detchko Uzunov.

     She realised, that her real life was in Bulgaria and that there was something of profound importance which she felt obliged to do for the future generations – to preserve the memory of her relatives and especially of the outstanding poets – Petko Slaveikov and Pencho Slaveikov. Devoting all of her time to doing deep research into her genealogic tree, writing the monographies “Petko Slaveikov. Stories of His Life” and “Pencho Slaveikov. Biography”, interviewing relatives, collecting handwritings, books, personal belongings, furniture and photos, after about twenty years of hard labour, she was ready to found a museum in her own flat, donated to the government.

    The museum of Petko Slaveikov and Pencho Slaveikov, at 138 Rakovski Str., in the centre of Sofia, opened its doors on 1st July 1951. It represents the atmosphere of the original family house of Slaveikovi, situated in the old “Cafene Bashi ” square (“The Big Cafй” square), renamed, nowadays, to “Slaveikov” Square. There is the well-known monument to the poets – the father and son - a bench with both of them, seated on it, and looking to the eternity.           

       The studies of the great poets with their libraries and furniture are displayed, as well as the photos of all the Representatives of the Great National Congress in 1879 – the first one after the Liberation from Ottoman Rule. During that political meeting, the First Constitution of the 3rd Bulgarian Kingdom was created and signed. The very table, used for the purpose, belonged to Petko Slaveikov and now it is exhibited in the museum.    

The museum, itself, became a part of The National Museum of Bulgarian Literature in 1976, and, it can be “visited” online at: http://nlmuseum.bg/index.php/virtualni-razhodkai/kashta-muzei-slaveikovi

  The deed of Svetoslava Slaveikova, the first curator of the museum, enlightens generations on end. That admirable woman, who should be commemorated deservedly, exemplifies the meaning of her own name in Bulgarian – “Glory to the Light”. The light of Bulgarian literature. 

Sources:

http://nlmuseum.bg/index.php/virtualni-razhodkai/kashta-muzei-slaveikovi

https://bulgarianhistory.org/muzei-petko-pencho-slaveikovi/

https://built.bg/boxemski-istorii-domt-na-petko-i-pencho-slavejkovi/

„Литературен вестник“ : седмично издание. - ISSN 1310-9561 (Год. 22, бр. 24, 26 юни-2 юли 2013, с. 14)