Every nation has its own history, language, culture, traditions, and sacred values. No prudent person neglects their history, forgets their language, tramples upon their culture, betrays their traditions, or rejects their sacred values. The National Enlighteners of Bulgaria laid solid foundations and provided a powerful impetus for prosperity, while the educators preached the Orthodox faith. To ensure that the Bulgarian people always remember their past and draw strength and wisdom from it, the holiday of the National Enlighteners was first observed in Plovdiv in 1909. It is a holiday that spiritually strengthens and uplifts; a holiday that nationally enlightens and encourages. Let us open the pages of Bulgarian history. Let us read carefully. Let us reflect diligently. Let us speak impartially, and we will be convinced that the Bulgarian people have endured many hardships but have preserved the truth of their past. They grew weary from foreign blows but did not bow their heads before the oppressor. They bore an unbearable burden but did not bend, instead marching forward with dignity. November 1st is a day to honor our ancestors—the enlighteners, scholars, saints, martyrs, and heroes of our glorious past. The enlighteners preserved the spirit of the written word, rekindled the fire from the dormant embers of national self-esteem, and breathed strength and faith into a nation. A nation that survived five centuries of unenlightened bondage because language and religion proved stronger than fear and death.
The monk Paisius of Hilendar was the first to ignite the spark of national memory, revealing the thirst for spiritual freedom in his “Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya.” Later, Sophronius of Vratsa transcribed this small “booklet,” wrote his autobiography, and laid the foundations of modern Bulgarian literature. While Paisius spoke to the entire people, who needed to become a nation, his follower addressed every individual soul, which needed to be filled with self-confidence and self-respect.
During the long days of bondage, the concepts of Bulgarian lineage and spirit began to be forgotten. A long journey was undertaken, passing through the struggle for an independent Bulgarian Church. At the forefront of this movement stood the priests Neofit Bozveli and Ilarion Makariopolski. The young teacher Dimitar Miladinov introduced the Bulgarian language into the churches, and his younger brother, Konstantin Miladinov, completed their joint work by publishing the collection “Bulgarian Folk Songs.” Received with great interest in Europe, it was the first serious registration of the presence of Bulgarian spirituality and culture in the European sphere.
The Gabrovo enlightener Vasil Aprilov founded a free, entirely secular Bulgarian school in his hometown. His ambition was for it to become the “cradle” of Bulgarian literature. Another national enlightener was Dr. Petar Beron, who wrote the first secular textbook in the living spoken language, known to this day as the “Fish Primer.”
The work of the national enlighteners is continued by many more worthy and honest Bulgarians who cherish their lineage and language. The example of those who bequeathed us a glorious past guides us in our daily thoughts and deeds. On November 1st, we honor their memory and appreciate their contribution to the development of Bulgarian culture. But let this not be the only day of the year when we remember them!
Today our school celebrates.
The Vocational High School of Stone Processing in Kunino is a unique school, the only one of its kind in the Balkans, with a 100-year history and great professional traditions in training, providing a profession as eternal as stone, always relevant and valuable. Today’s Vocational High School of Stone Processing – Kunino, was established as a school by state decree in 1920 with the idea of “modernizing stonemasonry.” Due to the presence of excellent raw material – limestone, a developed stonemasonry livelihood among the local population, and a strategic railway artery, the village of Kunino was chosen as the location – situated amidst beautiful nature, with a rare combination of rocky massifs, canyons, plateaus, forests, a river, and a fertile plain; a settlement with ancient history, culture, and progressive people. The inspirer and creator of the school is the great Bulgarian and builder of our modern state, Konstantin Tomov, who was born in Kunino.
The chronicle book of the “State Stonemasonry School” in the village of Kunino traces the history of the current high school from the idea of creating a stonemasonry school in Bulgaria and the laying of its foundations back in 1921. It begins with the words:
“Education is power. It is a dream through which a country rises economically, politically, and culturally. Education is the most valuable pledge for the certain progress of a society.”
O, you faithful national enlighteners,
who shattered the darkness of the slave’s night,
who gave your lives so we could be free,
from you comes our strength and might!
Proud followers, worthy are we!
We shall keep your covenant alive and sacred!
As long as fire is hidden in our hearts,
we shall walk the path illuminated by you.
HAPPY HOLIDAY!
Author: Ivalina Draganova