MR BALKANSKI*

BY GEORGI DANAILOV

*Mr Balkanski - a man who comes from the Balkans

We Are the Citizens of Europe with Our Similarities and Differences

DIFFERENT NATIONAL CHARACTERS

Don Quixote of La Manchaat Connecticut Repertory Theatre

Robin Hoodat the Greenwich Theatre

Gargantuaat the Drum, Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Supermanat Dallas Theatre Center

Bai* Ganyoat the Etropole Theatre

*Bai - is a Bulgarian term of intimate respect

WE HAVE TO LIVE OUR WHOLE LIFE WITH THAT FACT. And if you have to spend your whole life with someone, you had better find out who they are than pretend that they do not exist.

“Bai Ganyo” by Aleko Konstantinov• “Bai Ganyo” is a novel-like series of satirical feulletons by Aleko Konstantinov.

• The humorous stories were issued in 1895.

“Bai Ganyo” by Aleko Konstantinov• In a funny way the book depicts the conflict between the old and the new in the heart of the fast-forming bourgeoisie, its mentality, culture, aspirations and still too strong prejudices and inhibitions.

“Mr Balkanski” by Georgi Danailov• The work has numerous film and theater productions including the play "Mr. Balkanski" written by Georgi Danailov in 1985.

“Mr Balkanski” by Georgi Danailov• Georgi Danailov presents Bai Ganyo like a dopey and pushy, stingy and tricky character who has preserved, deep down in his heart, something of the strong patriarchal character of the Bulgarians.

The plot revolves around the journeys of the rose oil hawker Ganyo Balkanski round European countries.

• Aleko Konstantinov and Bai Ganjo appeared as the logo of the Internet search engine Google for Bulgaria on January 13, 2013. It marked the writer’s 150th birth anniversary.

For the prototype of the character actually served a person who Aleko Konstantinov met during his trip to the USA, depicted in his book "To Chicago and Back".

He skillfully uses the comparison with European citizens to highlight some funny but not so nice traits of the Bulgarians at that time.

The performance features the hilarious comic situations Bai Ganyo and his company get into while travelling by train to Vienna.

How the rose oil hawker visits Irechek and then Bodkov in Prague.

How he met the Czech women - Marzhenka and her mother.

How he starts issuing a newspaper and makes Bodkov a Member of Parliament.

WE ARE THE CITIZENS OF EUROPE WITH OUR SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCESSketch

Bai Ganyo• Bai Ganyo is not a bad person but he has one weakness, he always wants to ,,use'' others and if possible not to pay his expenses.

• He is a rich rose oil trader but he wants to take advantage of the hospitality and generosity of others at all costs and invents all sorts of tricks in order to do so.

Bai Ganyo• He is not well-educated, does not speak foreign languages, but he always finds a way to communicate with others, sometimes causing great laughter.

• He likes eating and drinking, but he does not like foreign cuisine, he prefers Balkan dishes.

Bai Ganyo• Bai Ganyo dislikes "politeness" which is false according to him.

• He is outspoken, spontaneous, and does not understand that in certain situations one must know and observe cultural norms. That is why his behavior seems arrogant and rude.

Bai Ganyo• To him women are of two types - some are maids whose butts he can pinch and the others are aristocrats, who he must treat carefully.

• Unfortunately, in Europe he can not differentiate them because they are all dressed well thus he falls into many embarrassing situations.

Bai Ganyo• For him there is only one good type of music that complements eating and drinking.

Rough interest, profit and practicality are his priority.

Now you will see some funny situations which Bai Ganyo gets into while he is in Prague.

Now Bai Ganyo is having dinner in his host’s house.

• Bai Ganyo has dressed like a European, but has accepted only the outward appearance of the civilization. He is a representative of the manipulators and tyrants, who are the same in all countries especially if they gain power – political or media.

• Bai Ganyo embodies the contradictions and drama of the Bulgarians and Balkan nations. From a strongly influenced by the Oriental culture of manners, customs, and social structure they suddenly readjust to the ideological norms of modern democracy. And this is not a mechanical, easy process. It has its difficulties, consequences and vicissitudes!

Let’s find the balance!

• To seek solutions to Bulgarian problems in what Western Europe has built, and the Europeans may find a refuge from their problems in our culture that values intimacy, communication, and slow-moving time. If "Time is money" for the Western culture; for the East – "Time is communication and enjoyment."

Created by Georgi Tenev and Mihail Marchev

This presentation was created for “Different Cultures on European Stage” Project.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This presentation reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.