Krasimir Karailiev from Bratislava: We must protect Bulgaria and show it to the world

Krasimir's parents are from the village of Polikraishte near Veliko Tarnovo, where his grandfather was from, who started the family's horticultural livelihood in Europe. He went abroad when he was only 15 years old, worked in Hungary for 5 years, returned briefly to his homeland, and in 1946, together with his wife and children, he permanently settled in Bratislava. Krasimir was also born there. When Krasi was 2 years old, his parents divorced - his father returned to Bulgaria, and he stayed with his mother in Bratislava.

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Krasimir Karailiev also started his family in the Slovak capital. But the Bulgarian language and Bulgarian culture are an invariable part of his life. ‎

"I was brought up in a Bulgarian family. I learned the language from my mother's parents and from her and adopted the Bulgarian customs and manners. I feel fully Bulgarian. I also studied at the Bulgarian school "Hristo Botev" in Bratislava. My daughter also finished it. My wife, who is Slovak, and I decided that way - since I am Bulgarian, our child should learn Bulgarian better. She even continued with Bulgarian philology and Croatian language at the Comenius University of Bratislava. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find a job with the Bulgarian language in Slovakia, but she wants to deal with it and is looking for options. In the meantime, she works elsewhere to support herself." ‎

Krasimir is a taxi driver and every morning he travels the distance from his house in Hungary to Bratislava. There he leaves his wife at work, after which he continues with the taxi. In fact, a few years ago, Krasi decided to sell his apartment and buy a house with a yard in the Hungarian town of Mosonmagyaróvár, which is located only 17 km southeast of the point where the borders with Slovakia and Austria converge. He feels calm there, and he has managed to bring the Bulgarian spirit into his home - from the architecture, through the interior and furniture, to the kitchen and the music the family listens to.

"Mosonmagyaróvárs a very beautiful town - it has mineral baths, it is also known as the town of dentists, because there are more dentists than regular people living there (laughs). Every second house belongs to a dentist. Yes, many Austrians come here for dental treatment. That's how I decided - I sold the apartment and for the same money I bought a big property with a yard. I made myself a nice tavern, in the Bulgarian style. I also love cooking. I like to prepare Bulgarian dishes. I prepare Bulgarian sausages, I grow peppers, tomatoes. I have a greenhouse and I've already planted the peppers. I'm waiting for them to sprout, then I'll start with the tomatoes, etc." ‎

Although he was born and raised in Bratislava, Krasimir visits Bulgaria every year to keep in touch with his ancestral homeland. Recently, he realized his dream of meeting his father and reconciling his parents. In Slovakia, however, he does not stop loving all things Bulgarian. Krasimir is one of the creators of the dance group "Vesselie". ‎

"I love Bulgarian folklore very much. That's why I became one of the founders of the group, together with Tsvetelina Gencheva, who was the director of the Bulgarian school for about 4 years, and is currently in Bulgaria. But she did a lot for our school . We also had a children's choir - "Nightingale'', where my daughter also sang. Together with Tsvetelina, teachers and other people who were interested in Bulgarian dances, we created the group "Vesselie''. ‎

We ask Krasimir Karailiev how Slovaks regards Bulgarians, are he and his wife accepted?‎

"Slovaks love Bulgarians because they feel the Slavic blood. Our language is understandable, they like how the Bulgarians live, as well as the fact that they are a hospitable people. And that's why they always return from a vacation in Bulgaria with very vivid impressions and keep good memories." ‎

At the end of our meeting, Krasimir Karailiev sends a message to the Bulgarians in Bulgaria and around the world, urging them to preserve the Bulgarian spirit. ‎

"Bulgarians are one of the oldest nations in Europe and the world. And it will be a shame if young Bulgarians do not take this fact to heart and do nothing for Bulgaria. The surrounding world must know that Bulgaria is a nation with a long history and traditions. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers did a lot, and we also have to do something so that Bulgaria could remain, so that it could exist."