The Rise and Fall of the Slavic Idea
The Slavic Committee in Bulgaria, 1944-1991
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
As in other East European countries, a Slavic Committee was founded in Bulgaria in 1944. Its history illustrates the tensions between the Slavic idea, Socialist ideology and national interest. After the Second World War, the fallback on the Slavic idea served the consolidation of Communist rule. After de-Stalinisation, a change of strategy took place in Bulgaria. The committee turned to Bulgarians abroad, who were encouraged to return to the Socialist homeland. The Slavic idea hardly played a role anymore. Starting in 1969, the committee engaged in pure state-sponsored Socialist propaganda.
(Osteuropa 12/2009, pp. 153–162)