In addition to Bulgarian traditions, Vezba would like to introduce you to some of the people who are trying to preserve them and pass them on to the generations. That's why we decided to meet you with Kubrat Pulev. Although he is an athlete, the boxing star does not fall into the clichés associated with this fact and has an opinion on many issues outside of sports.
We asked Kubrat about the misunderstood patriotism, traditions and future of Bulgaria, and he was, as usual, extremely sincere and direct.
Of course, in the foreground for our most successful professional boxer is his match against Huey Fury in "Arena Armeets" on October 27th. Pulev admits that this is perhaps the last and most important step before he gets the opportunity to fight for a world heavyweight title again. The championship belt is his big goal, which led to the break with his previous promotional team "Zauerland".
"We didn't look in the same direction and we didn't think alike. They thought about money, I thought about success. We were just looking for different things. They didn't care about my development, they were just looking to make money off of me without investing back. For them, I was just a product", said the boxer bitterly.
Now there is a new team that is based in the USA, but their communication is extremely good and he can devote himself fully and only to training. They mostly take place abroad, but Pulev always finds time to go home, because "even with its problems and lifestyle, Bulgaria is Bulgaria " and he can't last long without it.
The boxer has always shown that he loves his country and even often got negatives because of it. At a time when "patriotism" has become fashionable both in pubs and in parliament, Pulev is keen to explain his understanding of love of country.
"When someone pretends to be a patriot and wants to reap dividends from patriotism, it shows from afar. Anyone can call it what they want, for me it is a cause of mine that gives me satisfaction. I consider this to be one of my highest goals. It gives me meaning and strength to do something that is really worthwhile and should remain behind us. Not just to make some money and live.”
According to him, our traditions are alive and change with us, and what can preserve them remains the Bulgarian spirit. However, he is brought up solely by his family and parents.
"When there is no upbringing, there is no respect. When there is no family environment, there is no way to learn the traditions. Parents are obliged to pass them on to the generations", Pulev is convinced. However, he admits that most young Bulgarians were not brought up at home and that it is also evident in the training hall that he and his brother opened in Sofia.
"Discipline is the first thing that is learned there, because 13-14-year-old children come who are used to not being able to say a word to them at home. When they come to the hall, they see that not everything that flies is eaten. We are aware that not all of these children will become champions. If one of them succeeds, we will be grateful. However, the rest will also already have a different value system and respect for others. And this is the most important thing we are trying to achieve", the champion explains the reasons for his other mission.
Pulev was born and raised in the capital. He admits that as a "city kid" he stayed away from many Bulgarian customs , as is probably the case with the children who train in his gym today.
"Ultimately, in the village, because of the way of life, traditions were preserved much better, because in the big city we are already part of the global world. Bulgaria is not what it was and will never be again. Bulgaria is developing and will develop", the athlete reasoned. And he immediately says that he does not accept the claims that the problem of the Bulgarians is that they are selfish and individualistic.
"We just lack a common cause. When a person goes to live abroad and communicates with other Bulgarians, he sees that we are not so bad, we are not so divided. When there is a cause, when it makes sense, when people feel something with their heart and soul, then they unite and work miracles. We lack something good, quality, which unites us."
We also come to one of the main reasons for our conversation - the bathrobe that Pulev will wear for his match with Fury. It was made by the designer of Vezba - Tsvetomir Petkov from the city of Troyan, on the order of the creator of the "Bulgare" ensemble Hristo Dimitrov as a gift for the athlete. It is embroidered with Kanatitsa - a composition of traditional Bulgarian embroidery . The symbol was used by our ancestors for protection from evil forces and symbolized the main pillars of Bulgarian society - the family, the family and the people.
"I can go out as I want in the ring, but for me it gives meaning to everything I do. I will go out with these symbols, even though to many foreigners who will watch the match, they will not mean anything to them. But for me, they are important fans in the hall and Bulgarians watching abroad. By appearing with Kanatitsa - it will raise their spirits and self-esteem, which is very important," concludes Pulev.
He hopes that this will also arouse curiosity in young people and that they will become familiar with the meaning of traditional Bulgarian symbols. The boxer has more to tell us, but we're running out of time. The next time we see him, he'll be wearing Kanaticsa and walking to the ring for one of the most important matches of his career. We can only wish him success and that he continues to be the guardian of Bulgarian traditions.
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