MAIN DIRECTIONS OF ACTIVITY OF THE BULGARIAN COMMUNITY IN ODESSA (END OF THE XVІІІ th CENTURY – 1877)

Abstract

The article attempts to reach the origins in formation of the Bulgarian community in Odesa and the main directions of its activity. It is noted that the most active phase Bulgarian resettlement to the city falls on the end of XVIII – the beginning of the XIX century. It was especially successful during the time of the Duke de Richelieu, the mayor of Odesa, who was friendly to Bulgarian immigrants. Governor General of Novorossiysk Region and Bessarabian Region M.S.Vorontsov focused his attention on attracting Bulgarian sailors and port workers to the city, which was determined by the needs of the Black Sea Fleet. However, his efforts were not successful. During the first half of XIX century Bulgarians from Transdanubian Bulgaria and Bessarabia, who belonged to different social statuses, moved to the city. They were merchants, teachers, artisans, farmers, ect. Bulgarian settlers compactly settled on the outskirts of Odesa and formed their own community, the members of which played a prominent role in the socio-economic and cultural life of the city. The main task of the community was the preparation of the national liberation movement in Bulgaria and the formation of the specialists in the field of education and culture for the revival of their homeland. It was investigated that among the main tasks of the community of Bulgarian mentoring were to help Bulgarian schools and churches. Leading figures of the Mentorship: the Palauzov brothers, Ivan Bogorov, Zakhar Kniazhevskiy, Botyo Petkov, Dmytro Mutev and others who were educated in Odesa. In the process of their activities they cooperated with the Orthodox clergy, intelligentsia, scientific institutions and educational institutions. It has been proven, that Odesa became the centre of preparations for the revival of Bulgaria. After the liberation of the country from Ottoman enslavement a large part of Odesa Bulgarions returned to their homelands and played an important role in the process of building its statehood. A small number of Bulgarians remained in Odesa preserved their cultural traditions and later formed the Bulgarian Society, which continues its activities at the present stage.