Folk Tales & Fables From Bulgaria
Published by Via Lettera Ltd.
Translation from Bulgarian: Diana Nikolova
Editor: Roberta Moretti
Cover and illustrations: Kamena Dimitrova
ISBN first edition: 978-619-7204-05-6
ISBN second edition: 978-619-7204-12-4
Year of publication: 2016, 2019
144 pages
Format: 130 x 200 mm
The collection ‘Folk Tales & Fables From Bulgaria’ contains thirty of the most famous and loved Bulgarian folk tales and fables, selected and translated into English. They are divided into three sections – Popular Wisdom Tales, Magical Tales and Animal Fables. Among these you will find time-tested titles like ‘Plums for Dirt’, ‘The Spoilt Daughter’, ‘The Three Brothers and the Golden Apple’, ‘Dragon’s Bride’, ‘The Unborn Maiden’, ‘The prettiest child’ as well as many others.
The folk tales are translated into easy and accessible English and they are suitable for reading both by children and their parents. The book is addressed mainly towards the growing generation of children of Bulgarian emigrants or children from mixed marriages who live abroad and for whom Bulgarian is a second language. With this collection we would like to help them and their parents keep the cultural bond with Bulgaria alive and enhance their perceptions of the folklore heritage of our country. Apart from them, we hope this book will find its readers also among all those who feel connected or are interested in Bulgaria or those who simply love good stories on eternal topics.
The design of the book gives a fresh and modern perspective towards the interpretation of the stories. Motives from traditional Bulgarian embroidery patterns have been used in the illustrations and ornaments of the book.
This book will take you on a journey into the wonderful world of Bulgarian folklore, inhabited by brave men fighting dragons and monsters, charming and witty maidens finding their prince, magical life-giving water saving heroes, forest nymphs being tamed by unconditional love and wise old men giving sage advice to the young and inexperienced.
These folk tales and fables tell stories of high virtue being rewarded, of hardworking and good-hearted people winning over evil forces in life. They open the door to ancient times and shared belief that is still firmly rooted in Bulgarian culture to this day.