The beginning of the Bulgarian National Revival starts with the creation of Slavonic-Bulgarian History by Saint Paisius of Hilendar or in Bulgarian – Istorita Slavyanobulgarska by Paìsiy Hilendàrski. He can be called the forefather of the Bulgarian Revival. His work, written in 1762, laid out the beginning of the Bulgarian nationalism. It served as a reminder to the Bulgarian people for the greatness of their historical past and as an opposition to the Greek influence. It gave birth to the age of cultural enlightenment which thrived more as Bulgarians became wealthier in the late 18th century. In front of you is the restored first printed copy of Istoriya Sl. Published in 1864.
On your right you can see a printed copy of Sofronius Vrachanski’s autobiography Life and Sufferings of Sinful Sophronius. Sofronius is the first person to make a transcript of St Paisius’ History. After Sofronius, more than 60 Bulgarians made copies of it, all of them transcribing Paisius’ work by hand.
