I am presently reading this book.
It is a travel book recording the experiences of Dame Rebecca West as she travelled throughout Yugoslavia for 6 weeks in 1937.
Written on the brink of World War II, Rebecca West’s classic examination of the history, people, and politics of Yugoslavia illuminates a region that is still a focus of international concern. A magnificent blend of travel journal, cultural commentary, and historical insight, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon probes the troubled history of the Balkans and the uneasy relationships among its ethnic groups. The landscape and the people of Yugoslavia are brilliantly observed as West untangles the tensions that rule the country’s history as well as its daily life.
This woman could seriously write! A little hard going and somewhat poetic but definitely provides an insight that is not normally written about.
Obviously, her visit to Macedonia is of most interest to me. But her assessment of ethnic tensions throughout the region and the undercurrents of political persuasions are utterly masterful. A very perceptive woman.
She describes Macedonians as Serbian Macedonians or Bulgarian Macedonians. This immediately annoyed me. Reading further she talks of the significant migrations from Serbia INTO Macedonia (particularly in "skopLje") and seems to call these immigrants the Serbian Macedonians. The "Bulgarian" Macedonians are another matter and much of this seems to be church related. Remember, we are talking about the 1930's here and there was a very strong Yugo/Serbian battle for Macedonian hearts. Ultimately she mentions how Serb monks were being removed from Macedonian monasteries and that only Macedonian ones were being retained. Confusing for her and the reader obviously.
I will add some quotes to this thread from the book. Some are worthy of further discussion in my opinion.
It is a travel book recording the experiences of Dame Rebecca West as she travelled throughout Yugoslavia for 6 weeks in 1937.
Written on the brink of World War II, Rebecca West’s classic examination of the history, people, and politics of Yugoslavia illuminates a region that is still a focus of international concern. A magnificent blend of travel journal, cultural commentary, and historical insight, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon probes the troubled history of the Balkans and the uneasy relationships among its ethnic groups. The landscape and the people of Yugoslavia are brilliantly observed as West untangles the tensions that rule the country’s history as well as its daily life.
This woman could seriously write! A little hard going and somewhat poetic but definitely provides an insight that is not normally written about.
Obviously, her visit to Macedonia is of most interest to me. But her assessment of ethnic tensions throughout the region and the undercurrents of political persuasions are utterly masterful. A very perceptive woman.
She describes Macedonians as Serbian Macedonians or Bulgarian Macedonians. This immediately annoyed me. Reading further she talks of the significant migrations from Serbia INTO Macedonia (particularly in "skopLje") and seems to call these immigrants the Serbian Macedonians. The "Bulgarian" Macedonians are another matter and much of this seems to be church related. Remember, we are talking about the 1930's here and there was a very strong Yugo/Serbian battle for Macedonian hearts. Ultimately she mentions how Serb monks were being removed from Macedonian monasteries and that only Macedonian ones were being retained. Confusing for her and the reader obviously.
I will add some quotes to this thread from the book. Some are worthy of further discussion in my opinion.
Comment