Abstract (eng)
The Reception of the Viennese modernity in Bulgaria until 1944 (Hermann Bahr, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Arthur Schnitzler)
Abstract
In this dissertation labor I keep track of the clear formula for cultural transfer:
„[…] a dynamical process that connects three components: origins culture, mediation instance and target culture. Different objects, practices and discussions, that are acknowledged by the original culture, are being taken into consideration. The second sphere examines the purpose and functions of the mediating figures and instances (translators, publishers, scientists, universities, media and so on). […] In connection to the target culture interesting are the selection possibilities, the assimilation and productive reception forms (translation, cultural adaptations, forms of creative reception, imitations)“ (Miterbauer 1999).
Based on the theoretical model the paper researches and describes the sociocultural contexts of the outgoing and receiving literature in the period including the most important literary topoi in them. Afterwards it defines and follows up the figures of the mediators and their practices.
The main purpose of the work is by revealing several lost to the modern memory cultural layers, to prove the hypothesis, that different transfer practices in the literal field between Bulgaria and the Viennese modernity played a crucial role in the formation of the Bulgarian modernity. The accent falls upon the mediating role of the poet Teodor Trajnov and his early poetical works, which modify the horizons of the expectations for the new modern Bulgarian poetry, and also to his debut on the stage of the Volksoper Wien.
Following are the analytical observations on the translator, theatrical and critical reception of Hermann Bahr, Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Arthur Schnitzler. Different works from the three authors, who come from the origins culture, are being examined because of their consequent usage, translation or integration throughout the efforts for modernization of the Bulgarian culture.
Bahr’s works have been precepted in different ways, mirroring the ongoing change in his profile as an author of theater pieces, a critic, a defender of the decadent arts or as an interpreter of the expressionism. Hence, his figure has the status of a modern creator for the Bulgarian cultural elite.
The works of Hofmannsthal have the hardest times making their way, because of their complexity and the knowledge of the Bulgarian mediators about the hardness of these translations. In the middle of the description of his reception is the tragedy “Elektra”. The translation by Nikolay Liliev, has been acknowledged even from its coevals as a cultural exploit, that uncovers the abilities of the Bulgarian poetical language in order to express horror and shock. The stage interpretation of Geo Milev in 1923 gives an example to how a play, that has been foreseen as a symbolical piece of work, could be presented in an avant-garde way in order to point the contemporary gaze towards the latent expressionism of the Viennese modernity.
The most read author of the Viennese modernity in Bulgaria up to 1944 is Arthur Schnitzler. He owns his popularity not only to the socialist publishing houses, which are looking for a sensation in his texts. Furthermore, the shift of the horizon of the Bulgarian readers after the end of WW1, in which topics like death, lust, erotic and the downfall of the patriarchal family are included.
The observed and analyzed transferal practices and the originated from them reception of the literal works of Bahr, Hofmannsthal and Schnitzler in Bulgaria, put arguments in defense of the thesis, that the Viennese modernity has helped structure the Bulgarian modernity.