The Declaration of Independence is practically not present in Bulgarian literature. Unlike the April Uprising, the Unification and the wars that followed. The Declaration of Independence still does not attract the attention of Bulgarian writers.
This was explained to the Bulgarian National Radio by Prof. Nikolay Aretov, a literary critic, teacher and researcher of literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
"It is probably present in some historical novels in the background, but honestly, I cannot give an example. (…) At that time, Vazov, who is the embodiment of literature, seemed to have withdrawn from political life, and slightly from literary life as well. The generation of "Misl" has already emerged - critical of Vazov, but also of the political status quo. Aleko Konstantinov, who is also rather critical of the status quo, is no longer there. If we focus on these greats, there is a successful desire to heroize the April Uprising and the struggles for freedom – both with Vazov, and with his opponent Pencho Slaveykov, and with others. There is also a desire for a critical attitude towards the status quo in the new Bulgaria – Aleko Konstantinov, but Vazov too – is no longer an enthusiastic admirer of the government, although he participates in it.".
"I don't know if the people in, let's say, Koprivshtitsa, have understood what they understood. I have been surprised by how little contemporaries know about the April Uprising", he noted in connection with the public understanding of major historical events from the past by our ancestors at that time.
"The declaration of independence is a diplomatic act, extremely important for the status of Bulgaria in Europe. It is very important for the prince who becomes king", Professor Aretov also pointed out and made a comparison with events in which there is drama, sacrifices and battles.
Even about the Unification in such solemn moments we say - the entire Bulgarian people stood, not all of them, commented Professor Nikolay Aretov.
"We like to say that the Bulgarian does not recognize authorities. The institution of the monarch is not unambiguous in the minds of some people. Some like to have a king and a ruler, others are skeptical, but in any case, society is not united."
The opposition between Russophiles and Russophobes is no weaker today than it was then, reports Professor Nikolay Aretov. According to him, while at the beginning of the last century it rather encompassed politicians and the intelligentsia, now it is ubiquitous and at times reaches extremes.
I would talk about preserving the aspiration for independence, the researcher emphasized in conclusion.
"Can we be independent - a state, individuals, groups? Both small and large countries are always parts of some communities, unions. Can you be independent during a world war? Bulgaria and the Tsar during World War II tried very hard to do it. History does not allow them to do this."