songs-of-the-east: Bulgarian women dressed in the traditional clothing of the Bulgarians of BanatThe
songs-of-the-east: Bulgarian women dressed in the traditional clothing of the Bulgarians of BanatThe history of the community of Roman Catholics located in three different Countries of Central and Eastern Europe, whose identities and traditions have remained the same in time. The Bulgarians of Banat are a singular community, currently scattered in three countries: the majority live in south-western Romania, while the others are in the Vojvodina region of Serbia and in the north-western area of Bulgaria. In fact, their name is linked to the historical region of Banat, now located between Romania and Serbia, at the time part of the House of Habsburg. In 1688 Bulgarian Catholics organized the Cirpovzi revolt against the Turkish rulers, stifled by the Ottomans with extreme cruelty. The inhabitants were forced to abandon their homes, and guided by their bishops and priests found refuge in the territory of the then House of Habsburg. After an initial period of displacements, in 1738 they settled in the town of Stari Bescenov and in 1741 in Vinga (Romania). “They were granted several privileges by Empress Maria Theresa – said Svetlana Karadzova, mayor of Bardarski Geran and president of the Association of Banat Bulgarians in Bulgaria – this drove also other Catholics from Northern Bulgaria to settle down there.” The mayor went on: “In fact, most of the Catholics in Bulgaria descend from the sect of the Paulicians (similar to the Cathars, ed.’s note) converted by Franciscan friars.” Gradually, the expatriate community grew and expanded in other countries. After the liberation of the Bulgarian state in 1878 many Banat Bulgarians returned to their homeland. One of the most interesting aspects is the language and writing. The latter, conversely from Cyrillic Bulgarian, adopts a variant adapted to the Latin alphabet. “Banat Bulgarian – said Stoyko Stoykov, linguist – differs from literary Bulgarian in that the former dates back to the period when the community emigrated to Banat”. There are a wide range of books and publications in Banat Bulgarian, from the liturgical to the popular ones. Also the homes are characterised by the [Central European] style, as well as the clothes and cuisine. -- source link