““To Chicago & BackTo Chicago & Back””

Aleko KonstantinovAleko Konstantinov

Aleko KonstantinovAleko Konstantinov Aleko KonstantinovAleko Konstantinov was a was a

Bulgarian writer, best known for Bulgarian writer, best known for his character Bay Ganyo, one of his character Bay Ganyo, one of the most popular characters in the most popular characters in Bulgarian fiction.Bulgarian fiction.

Born Born in a town on the Danube in a town on the Danube into a rich merchant familyinto a rich merchant family, he , he attended the Faculty of Law of attended the Faculty of Law of the University of Odessa, the University of Odessa, graduating in 1885. He worked graduating in 1885. He worked as a jurist in Sofia before as a jurist in Sofia before embarking on a writing career.embarking on a writing career.

His first novel His first novel Bay GanyoBay Ganyo ("Uncle Ganyo"), describes the ("Uncle Ganyo"), describes the travels through Western Europe travels through Western Europe of an itinerant peddler of rose oil of an itinerant peddler of rose oil and rugs. Though impertinent and rugs. Though impertinent and clumsy, the nevertheless and clumsy, the nevertheless ingenious Bay Ganyo has been ingenious Bay Ganyo has been seen as a mirror for a seen as a mirror for a modernizing Bulgaria. At the modernizing Bulgaria. At the beginning of the novel Bay beginning of the novel Bay Ganyo is seen mainly as trading Ganyo is seen mainly as trading rose oil rose oil peddler peddler while at the end while at the end he is portrayed as a political he is portrayed as a political man. His prototype is the Karlovo man. His prototype is the Karlovo tradesman Ganyo Somov.tradesman Ganyo Somov.

““To Chicago & Back”To Chicago & Back”

In 1893 the World’s Columbian Exposition is opened with much noise and glamour. On June 20 the Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov starts for Chicago and his travel gives birth to magnificent travel notes called “To Chicago and In 1893 the World’s Columbian Exposition is opened with much noise and glamour. On June 20 the Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov starts for Chicago and his travel gives birth to magnificent travel notes called “To Chicago and Back”.Back”.

The book describes the author’s journey and stay in the United States, especially Chicago and New York.

It’s a journey of self-discovery juxtaposing America and Europe, America and Bulgaria based on his personal experience and imagination

Aleko encounters the world – Old and New – through the sights and smells of Chicago and at the same time he is sincerely impressed by the glamour of the attractions of the New World.

The World’s Columbian ExpositionThe World’s Columbian Exposition

..

Aleko observed and commented on both the Aleko observed and commented on both the phantasmagoric spectacle of the fair and the phantasmagoric spectacle of the fair and the peculiarities of the New World itself.peculiarities of the New World itself.

“In the entire building, decorated with thousands of kinds of bulbs, broken into various shapes, shifting momentarily to such games between light and darkness …..that you completely forget you are.in the real world.. …..How the pictures of the One Thousand and One Nights fade compared to this grandeur!”

A.Konstantinov

““The Niagara Falls – the magnificent game of nature that attracts thousands of Europeans of the New World – here it is The Niagara Falls – the magnificent game of nature that attracts thousands of Europeans of the New World – here it is in front of me!” in front of me!”

““A boundless reverence has been printed on the faces of all the people ….. If there is somebody who can describe this A boundless reverence has been printed on the faces of all the people ….. If there is somebody who can describe this view….. I cannot!” view….. I cannot!”

A. KonstantinovA. Konstantinov

“The coast of New York is literally dangerous ….. stations with steamships and railway companies and everywhere as far as you can see – it’s a busy, furious Babylon movement that is visible.” A. Konstantinov

“Broadway is one kind, forever dancing ballerina dressed with the patterns of the rainbow. Your eyes don’t reach the end of the street , it narrows, pales ….. and disappears into the sea.” A. Konstantinov

In the book Aleko Konstantinov uses various techniques and expressive means to recreate his own amazement.

“Goodbye my indulgent reader! Forgive me if there’s anything you didn’t like. I had no intention of writing , but damn people - they found my weak spot, tickled me …... I hope you like the book!”

Aleko Konstantinov

During his visit to 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Konstantinov was inspired to create the prototype of Bay Ganyo –one of the most remarkable national characters.