Fundamentals of National Identity in Bulgarian and Rusinian Literature (Based on the Works by Hristo Botev and Alexander Dukhnovych)

Abstract

The article focuses on the manifestations of national identity in the poetry of “buditel” (a metaphor of spiritual awakening; i.e. enlightener, awakener) of the Bulgarian people Hristo Botev and the outstanding figure of the Ukrainian people of Transcarpathia (Rusins) Alexander Dukhnovych. The analysis of the national identity foundations is determined by a multilevel approach, which addresses the psychological, cultural, territorial, historical, and political constituents. The main components of national identity, identified in H. Botev’s and A. Dukhnovych’s poetry, are folk song, folklore, mythology, beliefs and everyday life, folk heroes, national characters, and language. The dominant themes of the poetry of both authors are Motherland, national liberation war, heroism and patriotism, people and enemies, confrontation between good and evil, life and death, freedom and slavery. Traditional images in H. Botev’s poetry are those of woman-mother, beloved girl, man-haiduk (rebel), the haiduk’s song, Bulgarian people, patriot. The main images and images-symbols in A. Dukhnovych’s poetry are those of mother, beloved girl, Russian children, Mother-Russia, unity, falcon, forget-me-not. The common images are freedom, homeland, people, dream.