New Books in Eastern European Studies Mary Neuburger, “The Orient Within: Muslim Minorities and the Negotiation of Nationhood in Modern Bulgaria (Cornell UP, 2004)
11 snips
Feb 23, 2012 AI Snips
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Mary's Academic Journey to Bulgaria
- Mary Neuburger fell in love with Bulgaria after initially studying Russia and exploring Slavic cultures.
- Her passion grew through frequent travels and an appreciation for Bulgaria's language, food, and landscape.
Fluid Ethnic Identities in 19th Century
- Identities in 19th-century Bulgaria were fluid and multilayered, with religion often overshadowing ethnicity.
- Terms like 'Turk' and 'Pomak' were mostly externally imposed and not fully embraced as identities until much later.
Ottoman Religious Coexistence
- Ottoman rule allowed religious communities local autonomy and coexistence without forcing conversions.
- Ethnic or religious warfare was rare until the 20th century despite many enmities based on other grounds.