Nikolay Raynov’s literary works in school textbooks during the interwar period in Bulgaria. Between the independent and the canonical religious imaginary
Zeszyty Łużyckie December 29, 2025 Elena Azmanova-Rudarska
Nikolay Raynov's modernist literary works blend orthodox and heterodox religious imagery rooted in mysticism, esotericism, and occultism. This article examines his parabiblical texts included in Bulgarian school readers from 1926 to 1942, showing how his non-canonical writing reproduces canonical forms while subtly altering doctrinal content, preserving creative autonomy within a regulated educational system. School selections operate along history and religion horizons, constructing collective memory and national identity. Key works were adapted for different ages. The article argues that esoteric motifs became institutionalized through didactic adaptation, legitimizing Raynov as a formative figure in Bulgarian cultural memory.