Bulgarian author Georgi Gospodinov reflects on his own Christmas miracle
As COVID-plagued 2020 draws to a close, contemporary Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov encourages us to celebrate the Nativity as a victory for life.
Every birth is reminiscent of the Nativity, says Georgi Gospodinov
The winter my daughter was born, my mother and father roused themselves from their little southeastern town to visit the baby. They caught the first train of the afternoon and arrived the following morning. On entering, they went to freshen up and then made their way to the doorway of the baby's room.
They had traveled all night by the slow camel caravan that is Bulgarian Railways, just like the Wise Men. And, of course, they came bearing gifts. Not exactly gold, frankincense and myrrh, although my mother had taken out the gold earrings her mother had given her and put them in a little box. Along with a silver coin. My father brought a "survachka," a ritually decorated stick given to children at New Year, which he had made from the first sprig of dogwood.