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Bai Ganyo: Incredible Tales of a Modern Bulgarian

by Aleko Konstantinov
edited by Victor A. Friedman
translated by Christina E. Kramer, Grace E. Fielder and Catherine Rudin

University of Wisconsin Press, 2010
Paper: 978-0-299-23694-6 | eISBN: 978-0-299-23693-9
Library of Congress Classification PG1037.K58B38713 2010
Dewey Decimal Classification 891.8132

ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE

ABOUT THIS BOOK

A comic classic of world literature, Aleko Konstantinov’s 1895 novel Bai Ganyo follows the misadventures of rose-oil salesman Ganyo Balkanski (“Bai” is a Bulgarian title of intimate respect) as he travels in Europe. Unkempt but endearing, Bai Ganyo blusters his way through refined society in Vienna, Dresden, and St. Petersburg with an eye peeled for pickpockets and a free lunch. Konstantinov’s satire turns darker when Bai Ganyo returns home—bullying, bribing, and rigging elections in Bulgaria, a new country that had recently emerged piecemeal from the Ottoman Empire with the help of Czarist Russia.
Bai Ganyo has been translated into most European languages, but now Victor Friedman and his fellow translators have finally brought this Balkan masterpiece to English-speaking readers, accompanied by a helpful introduction, glossary, and notes.

Winner, Bulgarian Studies Association Book Prize

Finalist, Foreword Magazine’s Multicultural Fiction Book of the Year

Winner, John D. Bell Book Prize, Bulgarian Studies Association

Best Books for Special Interests, selected by the American Association for School Libraries

Best Books for High Schools, selected by the American Association for School Libraries

Best Books for Special Interests, selected by the Public Library Association

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Aleko Konstantinov (1863–1897) was a well-traveled Bulgarian journalist and political writer. He was killed by an assassin’s bullet while riding in an open cab. In 2003, Konstantinov and Bai Ganyo were honored on Bulgaria’s currency, depicted on the 100-lev note.

Victor A. Friedman is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. Christina E. Kramer is professor of Slavic languages and literatures at the University of Toronto. Grace E. Fielder is professor of Russian and Slavic studies at the University of Arizona. Catherine Rudin is professor of modern languages and linguistics at Wayne State College.

REVIEWS

“A literary treasure of the Balkans.”—Ronelle Alexander, University of California, Berkeley

“A rollicking, Rabelaisian masterpiece, skillfully translated. Victor Friedman’s meticulous editing provides linguistic, cultural, and political context.”—Harold B. Segel, Columbia University

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface
A Note on Transliteration

Introduction

Part One
Bai Ganyo Starts Out for Europe
1. Bai Ganyo Sets Off
2. Bai Ganyo at the Opera
3. Bai Ganyo at the Baths
4. Bai Ganyo in Dresden
5. Bai Ganyo at the Prague Exhibition
6. Bai Ganyo at Jirechek's
7. Bai Ganyo Goes Visiting
8. Bai Ganyo in Switzerland
9. Bai Ganyo in Russia

Part Two
10. Bai Ganyo Returns from Europe
11. Bai Ganyo Does Elections
12. Bai Ganyo the Journalist
13. Bai Ganyo at the Palace
14. Bai Ganyo in the Delegation
15. Bai Ganyo in the Opposition? Don't You Believe It!
16. The Temperance Society
17. Letter from Bai Ganyo to Konstantin Velichkov
18. From the Correspondence of Bai Ganyo Balkanski

Glossary

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