Bai Ganyo: Incredible Tales of a Modern Bulgarian

18. From the Correspondence of Bai Ganyo Balkanski

I My Dear Mr. Balkanski, Perhaps you have already forgotten me, but I shall remind you of certain events, and I believe that you will remember who I am.108 Do you recall that when you were traveling around Europe, you stopped off in Prague, and all the Bulgarian students treated you so coldly, even Jirechek? I was the only one who invited you home, and you stayed several days with me. Do you recall how you surprised me with the landlady’s daughter? And do you remember , when you were left alone, how they entertained you and you sang “Terrible Is the Night” for them?109 I am the very same Bodkov. I have finished my higher education and returned to my homeland. Since I do not number among my acquaintances any other influential person save yourself, I am turning to you with a request, and I beg you to ask someone from the editorship of some government newspaper to print the enclosed dispatch, a copy of which I am enclosing for you as well, in case it gets lost in the editorial offices. I believe that this letter is sufficient for the government to form an understanding of my ideas, and I am even in a position to write much more than this, should the need arise. I have completed my degree in philosophy . Mr. Balkanski, in addition to this, I have another request for you. My father is an entrepreneur, and the government is now rejecting as defective fifty thousand levs’worth of shoes, so I beg you to intervene so that they  From the Correspondence of Bai Ganyo Balkanski  108. This feuilleton was found among Aleko’s papers after his death. It is known that he also wrote a feuilleton titled“The Moral Principles of Bai Ganyo,” which Aleko read publicly, greatly upsetting members of the National Party. Unfortunately, the manuscript has not been found. 109. See n. accept them from him, just as they have accepted those of the very same material made by a Jew. Is this patriotic? Do not think that I am writing my letter in order to butter up the government . Absolutely not. The fact that the shoes were rejected as defective has nothing at all to do with this letter, and finally, you should know that I am not a person who would trade on his convictions. be assured of my extreme respect toward you, your bodkov P.S. The editorial office may change my text if they see fit. I am not a pretentious person. the same. P.P.S. The shoes were rejected three days ago. the same. Here is the text referred to in the above letter: Copy Letter to the Editor Mr. Editor, My blood freezes in my veins, my brain congeals in my skull, my heart stops beating, and I, with trepidation in my soul, address myself to the respected Government and beg it to answer whether or not there will be an end to its tolerance of the destructive lack of restraint on the part of the opposition press. The people want to know (boldly I can affirm this) when they will break the sacrilegious fingers of the opposition, which dare to touch—O horrors!—the Chaste and Sacred Person of our common Father, the guarantor of our happiness and well-being. Instead of an unquestioning reverential prostration before the glorious embodiment of our independence , instead of a submissive readiness for the gratification of the royal lusts and desires, there appear Bulgarians among us (misbegotten monsters of the Bulgarian people) who dare to ascribe human weaknesses to the unapproachable Personage! This is more than a betrayal of national interests. This is a depravity unheard of in history! There are even such scoundrels of the pen who have rebelled and tried to halt and to desecrate the most virtuous act of our communities, the bestowing of municipal forests, islands, and gardens on their Beloved Prince. The majesty of the throne is likewise the majesty of the people, and instead of being proud that our municipalities Correspondence of Bai Ganyo Balkanski  demonstrate their love for the Crown and the Dynasty for all to see, instead of rejoicing that our fatherland, until recently uncivilized, is covered with luxurious palaces and villas, one can find Bulgarians—just imagine, Bulgarians !—who, even after all this, are not satisfied! Such malcontents...