THE PERSONAL EXAMPLE AS A MEANS OF ACCESS TO THE IDEAS OF TOLSTOISM

Abstract

In the history of the Tolstoy movement in Bulgaria in the first half of the 20th century, the personal example stands out as a means of inclusion to the ideas of anti-militarism, vegetarianism, Esperantism, and international solidarity. They are part of the individual stories of the leaders of Bulgarian Tolstoyism, revealed through: elements of the biographical method; comparative analysis of historical facts.
The following can be distinguished in them: investment of material means to support the movement; refusing of military service; an ascetic way of life; active participation in periodicals and publishing of independent works;
epistolary communication; mastering foreign languages and translation work; honesty in relationships.
The life and work of prominent supporters of Leo Tolstoy's teachings in Bulgaria - Minko Adzharov, Georgi Shopov, Stefan Andreychin, Hristo Dosev, Dimitar Zhechkov, Hristo Kilifarski - convincingly prove that:
Тhe apostles of Tolstoism in our country, with their personal example, become a role model for their followers, who highly value their moral idealism.
Тheir public appearances as anti-militarists, cooperative activists, "supporters of a complete renewal of life" are connected with the living word - fairy tales, talks, public speeches. Through it they win sympathizers and like-minded people.
In the memories of their contemporaries, the first generation of Tolstoyists was a kind of spiritual catalyst not only for their ideological community, but also for wider circles: vegetarians, pacifists, еsperantists, community members, members of abstinence societies and organizations.
Their intellectual and moral qualities go beyond the limitations of the Tolstoy movement and turn them into significant figures of historical time, a moral corrective of the Bulgarian society from the first half of the 20th century.
Their idealism is in stark contrast to the bellicose materialism and mercantilism of political parties, of personal attempts at favoritism.