Svetla Gyurova

For the modern reader, Kiril Hristov was until recently an almost unknown author; a poet with a strange and unusual fate, preserved in the minds of his descendants mainly through his ideological and artistic transgressions. His first works, which brought the poet fame and recognition, were until a few years ago a bibliographical rarity. That is why few could imagine the spontaneous approval with which critics and writers greeted his poetic debut. Because K. Hristov really began his writing career brilliantly. Moreover, he became the exponent of a social and psychological necessity, gave the first example of frank love poetry, created magnificent lyrical miniatures, brilliant little songs about the beauty of nature and the immediacy of human feeling. And the literary community gave him what he deserved

In the history of our literary customs, Dr. Krastev's letters to Kiril Hristov are a bright page, a magnificent act of trust and devotion and at the same time a testament to the ethical and aesthetic positions of one of the greatest Bulgarian critics. Kiril Hristov became close to the editor of the magazine "Misl" while still a student at the 1st male gymnasium, where at the same time Krastev taught philosophy. In early 1895, not immediately before his departure for Italy, Kiril Hristov entrusted him with some of his literary works. In the following months, the poems "Octava" appeared in "Misl". "To the Seaside", "Under the Window", "Zuylema", and the Sea Sonnets (Kiril Hristov included the aforementioned poems in his first collection of poems "Songs and Sighs"). Convinced of the young poet's poetic talent, the editor of "Misl" attracted him as a contributor to the magazine, promoted him in literary circles, wrote enthusiastic reviews for "Songs and Sighs" and "Tre peti". What's more, this outwardly dry and focused critic became a patron, friend and teacher of the young Kiril Hristov, striving to give some direction to his poetic talent, to soften his painful predispositions, to facilitate and clarify his personal life. "The only support in this difficult time - Kiril Hristov shares - I had in the strong character of Krasteva, whom I loved more and more and to whom I became more and more attached. His influence on me, both then and later, was irreplaceable, gracious... I felt that this man could go through water and fire for the one he valued and loved... The editorial office of the magazine "Misl", in fact the home of Dr. Krastev, became for me a blessed, quiet harbor from the very first day. I could visit my recent teacher, who had become a close friend, at any time. I felt him as my closest relative, blood and spiritual. I could share my greatest worries with him. There was no mental, painful state or external unexpected unpleasantness that he would not meet with the greatest participation and with a reasonable practical plan for sobering up" (From the memoirs of Kiril Hristov "Clogged Sofia"). Because Dr. Krastev does not seek the meaning of his critical activity solely in the evaluation work.

For the first time, Kiril Hristov came into contact with the Czech cultural community in 1912. On a five-star street, a few steps from the famous old local "U flek" - one of the nests of Prague intellectuals, - in a nice house with a Gothic facade, in a neat apartment on the third floor I settled in two rooms... From the very first days, through the professor of literature Jelinek, son-in-law of the old Czech novelist Irasek, and through the secretary of the Slavic Society in Prague, Forman, I became acquainted with a number of Czech celebrities and was accepted into their circle and into their clubs as an equal. The newspapers gave information about my stay in Prague, several magazines presented my portrait, translations of my poems and biographical notes. ... While getting to know the beauty of ancient and modern Prague and establishing connections with a number of cultural figures and representatives of the Czech spirit, I also began to quickly learn the language. I had planned an anthology of Czech poetry from Vráhlický onwards, from which poet I had already made some translations.