Sintesi dell'intervento tenuto da Iskra Nikolova al convegno Atlante Neobarocco, Siviglia, 26 -27 novembre 2004


The Bulgarian research team on the Neo-Baroque project has conducted several brainstorm sessions and discussions to determine the scope, subject matter, structure and design of the Neo-Baroque website (Bg). Also, each of the members of the team has started collecting relevant materials, texts, photographs, music, etc.



What follows is a description of the conceptual framework of the website, based on the research carried out so far.

The Bulgarian website
The structure of the Bulgarian Neo-Baroque website will consist of a main text, with links to various subtexts and audio/visual materials.
The main text will include three thematic strands: (1) Traditional European Neo-Baroque and its influence on Bulgarian architecture; (2) 'Native' trance phenomena in Bulgarian folklore and rituals; (3) 'Neo-Baroque' in Omar Calabrese's interpretation of the term, as related to postmodern culture; examples of contemporary trance culture in Bulgaria;

Strand 1: Although Bulgaria is not a baroque country in the strict sense of the word, Neo-Baroque influences occurred in Bulgaria during the so-called 'Revival Period' in the 19th century. They were first introduced through the works of foreign architects (predominantly Austrian and German), then were also adopted by native architects. The Strand 1 part of the main text will trace and describe these influences and developments in Bulgarian architecture and will provide links to pictures of buildings with Neo-Baroque elements in different towns of Bulgaria: Sofia (the most notable examples are the National Theatre and the National Art Gallery), Rousse (the biggest Bulgarian port town on the Danube), Pazardzhik, etc.

Strand 2: The Strand 2 part of the main text will be about some Bulgarian rituals which, though bearing no relation to the baroque culture, contain some ecstatic and trance elements. The main focus will be on the so called Nestinarstvo (fire-dancing), a pagan tradition, which Christianity has preserved till nowadays. Some ethnologists think that fire-dancing has descended from the Dionysian rites of the ancients and is related to the ecstatic religion of the Thracians.
The fire dancers (Nestinari) carry out a mental preparation resulting in a trance like state, together with other ritual preparation including the use of icons (of St Constantine and St.Helen, the Patron Saints of the fire dancers). Whilst in their spiritual trance, the Nestinari are able to dance barefoot on burning embers without being burnt. The dance on glowing embers is believed to bring fertility and health.
In Strand 2 we may include links to pictures of Nestinari, also music and pictures from the Dance Drama 'Nestinarka' by Marin Goleminov, performed by Ballet Arabesque.

Strand 3: The Strand 3 part of the main text concerns events and venues in Bulgaria, which are related to the contemporary trance culture and to "Neo-Baroque" in Calabrese's postmodern interpretation of the term. This Strand will provide information about the Bulgarian trance culture scene, with links to pictures, music, websites, Forums, etc.

Research team
Head: Dr Iskra Nikolova, Assoc. Prof. in Western European Literature, National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria
Members:
Angelina Georgieva, graduate student in Theatre Studies, National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria
Ana Vaseva, 3rd year student in Theatre Studies, National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria
Nevena Kaludova, Bulgarian co-ordinator of the Neo-Baroque project, actress at "Sofia" Theatre