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{{Short description|Bulgarian poet and writer}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- For more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]]. -->

{{Infobox writer <!-- For more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]]. -->
| name = Dora Gabe
| name = Dora Gabe
| image = BASA 118K-2-85 Dora Gabe (crop).jpg
| image = BASA 118K-2-85 Dora Gabe (crop).jpg
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| pseudonym =
| pseudonym =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1888|8|28|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1888|8|16}}
| birth_place = [[Dabovik]], Bulgaria
| birth_place = [[Dabovik]], Bulgaria
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1983|11|16|1888|8|28|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1983|11|16|1888|8|16}}
| death_place = [[Sofia]], Bulgaria
| death_place = [[Sofia]], Bulgaria
| resting_place =
| resting_place =
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| citizenship =
| citizenship =
| education =
| education =
| alma_mater =[[Sofia University]], [[University of Grenoble]], [[University of Geneva]]
| alma_mater =[[Sofia University]] <br /> [[University of Grenoble]] <br /> [[University of Geneva]]
| period =
| period =
| genre = Poetry
| genre = Poetry
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'''Dora Petrova Gabe''' (August 28, 1888<ref>[http://www.libdobrich.bg/new.php?id=1219 "Dora Gabe" Regional Library - Dobrich]</ref> – November 16, 1983) was а [[Bulgaria]]n [[Jewish]] [[poet]].<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0004_0_03727.html The Jewish contribution to Bulgarian literature]</ref><!-- The website states a wrong year of birth 1866! --> She published poetry for adults and children as well as travel books, short stories and essays. In her later years, she also did extensive work in translation.
'''Dora Petrova Gabe''' (in [[Bulgarian language|bulgarian]]: Дора Петрова Габе) (born '''Isidora Petrova Peysakh''', 16 August 1888<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://libdobrich.bg/new.php?id=1219|title=Регионална библиотека Дора Габе - гр. Добрич :: :: Маратон на четенето|website=libdobrich.bg|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615083232/http://www.libdobrich.bg/new.php?id=1219|url-status=dead}}</ref> – 16 November 1983) was а [[Bulgaria|Bulgarian]] [[Jewish]] [[poet]], [[writer]] and [[translator]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/bulgarian-literature|title=Bulgarian Literature|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref><!-- The website states a wrong year of birth 1866! --> She published poetry for adults and children as well as travel books, short stories and essays. In her later years, she also did extensive work in translation.

She is widely regarded as one of the most famous women Bulgarian poets and is cherished by Bulgarians not only for her work but also for her deep respect for all the arts and her charitable spirit.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Dora Gabe was the daughter of [[Peter Gabe]], an immigrant from Russia, who became the first Jew to be elected to the Bulgarian [[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|National Assembly]]. When he was barred from taking office, he turned to journalism and became a well known public figure in Bulgaria.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/3672454/Incomprehension_of_the_Nature_of_the_Race_Question_Saving_the_Bulgarian_Jews_from_the_Holocaust Incomprehension of the Nature of the Race Question": Saving the Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust]</ref> Dora attended high school in [[Varna]], and then pursued a degree in Natural Sciences at [[Sofia University]] (1904). Later, she studied French Philology in [[Geneva]] and [[Grenoble]] (1905–1906).
Born in 1886, in a country that had recently freed itself from Ottoman rule, Dora Gabe came from a family of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. She was the daughter of [https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%8A%D1%80_%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5 Peter Gabe] who became the first Jew to be elected to the Bulgarian [[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|National Assembly]]. When he was barred from taking office, he turned to journalism and became a well known public figure in [[Bulgaria]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/3672454|title=Incomprehension of the Nature of the Race Question&quot;: Saving the Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust|first=Iskra|last=Baeva|via=www.academia.edu}}</ref>
She taught French in [[Dobrich]] (1907).
From 1911 to 1932, she resided abroad in [[Poland]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[Austria]], [[Czech Republic|The Czech Republic]], [[France]], [[United Kingdom|The United Kingdom]] with her husband Prof. Boyan Penev.
In the 1920s and 1930s, she gave numerous lectures on political and cultural issues such as the development of Bulgarian literature and the fate of the [[Dobruja]] region.


Dora Gabe attended high school in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]], and then pursued a degree in Natural Sciences at [[Sofia University]] (1904). Later, she studied French Philology in [[Geneva]] and [[Grenoble]] (1905–1906).<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>
In 1925, the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria assigned Dora Gabe to edit the series "Библиотека за най-малките" ("Library for the youngest").
She also served as the editor of the children's magazine "Window" (1939–1941).


Back in Bulgaria, she taught French in [[Dobrich]] in 1907 and also began to publish poems in various journals.<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref> A quiet nostalgia emanates from her works, which are dedicated to sentimental and intimate themes, but also partly to the region of her childhood, [[Dobruja]], a land disputed between [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]].
Dora Gabe was one of the founders of the Bulgarian-Polish Committee (1922) and the Bulgarian PEN Club (1927). She served as a longtime president for the latter.
She was counselor for cultural affairs at the [[Bulgarian Embassy in Warsaw]] (1947–1950), and a representative of Bulgaria in the International Congress of PEN clubs.
In 1968, she was awarded the title "Honorary citizen of the city [[Dobrich|Tolbuhin]]".


From 1911 to 1932, she lived abroad again, in [[Poland]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[Austria]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[France]], and the [[United Kingdom]] with her husband, the professor and literary critic [https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%BE%D1%8F%D0%BD_%D0%9F%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B2 Boyan Penev].<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref> In 1923, they separated for good but did not divorce.<ref>https://kultura.bg/web/%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B0/</ref> He reportedly had affairs and pressured her to give up her own writing to devote herself to translation. They parted ways well before his death in 1927. Reflecting on her marriage, Dora was deeply critical: "My marriage to Boyan Penev (...) drew me deeper into his pursuits. While his influence enriched me, it came at the cost of my own identity. I stopped living my own inner life and instead lived his. Sadly, I only found the space to truly flourish after his death.".<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>
She is widely regarded as one of the most successful Bulgarian poets and is beloved by Bulgarians not only for her work but for her deep respect for all arts and her charitable spirit. A popular anecdote claims that after the 9 September coup d'état, partisans were sent to live in Gabe's apartment. The poet moved to her sister's unfinished villa where she had to sleep with a coat under the blankets, because there was no heating, and had to turn on the stove to warm her hands in order to be able to write. Later in life, Gabe opens her an apartment as a home to all young poet seeking where they can live and create.

In the 1920s and 1930s, she gave numerous lectures on political and cultural issues such as the development of Bulgarian literature and the fate of the [[Dobruja|Dobruja region]]. In 1925, the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria assigned Dora Gabe to edit the series ''Библиотека за най-малките'' (''Library for the youngest'').<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>
She also served as editor of the children's magazine ''Window'' (1939–1941). She was as well one of the founders of the Bulgarian-Polish Committee (1922) and the [[PEN International|Bulgarian PEN Club]] (1927). She served as a longtime president for the latter.<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>

In [[Bulgaria]], the political situation was very unstable during the [[interwar period]]. The alliance with [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]] led to a conflict with the [[Soviet Union]], followed by a communist coup in 1944. She could not escape the constraints imposed on the literary world by the new Bulgarian regime and published a collection in 1946, ''Vela'', praising the [[Communism|communist]] partisans.

From 1947 to 1950, she was counselor for cultural affairs at the Bulgarian Embassy in [[Warsaw]].<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>

Subsequently, she continued writing, focusing on more intimate concerns.

She died on November 16th, 1983 at the age of 95, in [[Sofia]], [[Bulgaria]].<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>


==Literary career==
==Literary career==
[[File:BASA-1771K-1-1133-6-Dora Gabe.jpeg|thumbnail|Photo of young Dora Gabe]]
[[File:BASA-1771K-1-1133-6-Dora Gabe.jpeg|thumbnail|Photo of young Dora Gabe]]
In 1900 in [[Shumen]], she published one of her first poems called "Spring" in the literary journal "Youth". Soon after, she published a series of poems in the magazines "Thought", "Democratic Review" and "New Society" in 1905–1906. This marked the start of her literary career.
In 1900 in [[Shumen]], she published one of her first poems, at only 14 years old, called ''Spring'' in the literary journal ''Youth''.<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref> Soon after, she published a series of poems in the magazines ''Thought'', ''Democratic Review'' and ''New Society'' in 1905–1906. This marked the start of her literary career.<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
In the 1920s-30s, she published poetry for adults and children, travelogues, stories, essayistic fiction, impressions, theater reviews, articles on issues of foreign and Bulgarian literature, biographical sketches of poets and writers in magazines such as "Contemporary Thought " Zlatorog, "Polish-Bulgarian review", "Democratic Review," "Falling Leaves", "Dobrudjanski review", "Art and Criticism", "Slovo", "Age", "Journal of Women", "Free Speech," "Dawn," "Women's Voice", "thought", "Contemporary", "Journal of newspapers", "Dnevnik", "Fireworks". She contributed to various in children's periodicals such as "Firefly", "Children's joy," "Children's World", "Drugarche", "Children's Life", "Iveta", "Nightingale ","Merry band", "Window" and others.
In the 1920s and 1930s, she published poetry for both adults and children, travelogues, stories, essayistic fiction, impressions, theater reviews, and articles on both foreign and Bulgarian literature. She also wrote biographical sketches of poets and writers for magazines such as ''Contemporary Thought'', ''Zlatorog'', ''Polish-Bulgarian Review'', ''Democratic Review'', ''Falling Leaves'', ''Dobrudjanski Review'', ''Art and Criticism'', ''Slovo'', ''Age'', ''Journal of Women'', ''Free Speech'', ''Dawn'', ''Women's Voice'', ''Thought'', ''Contemporary'', ''Journal of Newspapers'', ''Dnevnik'', and ''Fireworks''.<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref> <ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>

Additionally, she contributed to various children's periodicals such as ''Firefly'', ''Children's Joy'', ''Children's World'', ''Drugarche'', ''Children's Life'', ''Iveta'', ''Nightingale'', ''Merry Band'', ''Window'', and others.<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref> <ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>
After 1944, she was widely published in the most popular Bulgarian newspapers and journals, as well as in the children's magazine "Nightingale", "Squad" "Children, art, books," and others.
After 1944, she was widely published in the most popular Bulgarian newspapers and journals, as well as in the children's magazine ''Nightingale'', ''Squad'', ''Children, art, books'', and others.<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
"Violets", Gabe's first lyrical poetry book, demonstrates [[Secession]] sentimentalism and a deep understanding of [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolism]].


''Violets'', Gabe's first lyrical poetry book, demonstrates [[Secession]] sentimentalism and a deep understanding of [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolism]].
Her works have been translated in Argentina, Austria, Great Britain, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Canada, Cuba, Lebanon, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic.

Her works have been translated in [[Argentina]], [[Austria]], [[Great Britain]], [[Vietnam]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Canada]], [[Cuba]], [[Lebanon]], [[Peru]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], [[Russia]], [[Slovakia]], [[Ukraine]], [[France]], [[Czech Republic]].<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>


==Translation==
==Translation==
From 1917 until the end of her life, fluent in [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[French language|French]], and [[Greek language|Greek]], she also dedicated herself to translation work.<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref> <ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
From 1917 to the end of her life, Dora Gabe actively engaged in translation.

She translated the works of [[Adam Mickiewicz]], [[Maria Konopnicka]], [[Stanisław Wyspiański]], [[Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer]], [[Juliusz Słowacki]], [[Władysław Reymont]], [[Jan Kasprowicz]], [[Henryk Sienkiewicz]], [[B. Leader]], [[Adolf Dygasiński]], [[L. Staffan]], [[A. Slonimsky]], [[Julian Tuwim]], [[K. Alberti]], [[I. Volker]], [[F. Fletch]], [[Vítězslav Nezval]], [[Karel Čapek]], [[G. Jian]], [[Y. Seifert]], [[A. Slutsk]], [[V. Bronevski]], [[C. Imber]], [[Samuil Marshak]], [[E. Kamberos]], [[R. Bumi-Papa]], [[M. Lundemis]], [[Yiannis Ritsos]] and many others. She was fluent in Polish, Czech, Russian, French, and Greek.
She translated the works of [[Adam Mickiewicz]], [[Maria Konopnicka]], [[Stanisław Wyspiański]], [[Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer]], [[Juliusz Słowacki]], [[Władysław Reymont]], [[Jan Kasprowicz]], [[Henryk Sienkiewicz]], [[B. Leader]], [[Adolf Dygasiński]], [[L. Staffan]], [[A. Slonimsky]], [[Julian Tuwim]], [[K. Alberti]], [[I. Volker]], [[F. Fletch]], [[Vítězslav Nezval]], [[Karel Čapek]], [[G. Jian]], [[Y. Seifert]], [[A. Slutsk]], [[V. Bronevski]], [[C. Imber]], [[Samuil Marshak]], [[E. Kamberos]], [[R. Bumi-Papa]], [[M. Lundemis]], [[Yiannis Ritsos]] and many others.<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
Her most renowned translation works include:
Her most renowned translation works include:
* The series of anthologies "Polish poets" (1921)
* The series of anthologies ''Polish poets'' (1921)<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
* "Anthems" by Ian Kasprovich (1924)
* ''Anthems'' by Ian Kasprovich (1924)<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
* ''Angel'' by J. Słowacki (1925)<ref>https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5</ref>
* "Angel" by J. Słowacki (1925)


==Works in English==
==Works in English==
*{{cite book|author=Dora Gabe|editor2=John Robert Colombo|editor3=Nikola Roussanoff|title=Depths: conversations with the sea|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IwEHAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=21 August 2013|year=1978|publisher=Hounslow Press|isbn=978-0-88882-035-8}}
*{{cite book|author=Dora Gabe|editor1=John Robert Colombo|editor2=Nikola Roussanoff|title=Depths: conversations with the sea|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IwEHAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=21 August 2013|year=1978|publisher=Hounslow Press|isbn=978-0-88882-035-8}}

[[File:THE GRAVE OF DORA GABE.jpg|thumb|The Grave of Dora Gabe at Sofia Central Cemetery ({{coord|42|42|49.7|N|023|19|57.2|E|region:BG_type:landmark}})]]


== Honors and awards ==
== Honors and awards ==
* 27th August 1927 - Golden Cross for Merit (Poland)<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 17, л. 1)</ref>
* 27 August 1927 - Golden Cross for Merit (Poland)<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 17, л. 1)</ref>
* 20th April 1929 - an honorary diploma from the Peace Council<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 21, л. 1)</ref>
* 20 April 1929 - an honorary diploma from the Peace Council<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 21, л. 1)</ref>
* 30th December 1946 - order "9th of September 1944", III degree<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 20, л. 1)</ref>
* 30 December 1946 - order "9th of September 1944", III degree<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 20, л. 1)</ref>
* 1st October 1963 - award of the Coalition of Bulgarian Writers for her poem "Homeland"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 22, л. 1)</ref>
* 1 October 1963 - award of the Coalition of Bulgarian Writers for her poem "Homeland"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 22, л. 1)</ref>
* 21st May 1966 - honored with the title "Marked agent of culture" in the area of poetry<ref>Central National Archive (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 23, л. 1)</ref>
* 21 May 1966 - honored with the title "Marked agent of culture" in the area of poetry<ref>Central National Archive (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 23, л. 1)</ref>
* In 1968, she was awarded the title "Honorary citizen of the city of [[Dobrich|Tolbuhin]]".<ref>https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe</ref>
* 28th August 1968 - honored with the order "George Dimitrov" for the occasion of her 80th birthday<ref>Central Administrative Authority (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 24, л. 1)</ref>
* 23rd May 1969 - honored with the title "Gifted agent of culture"<ref>Central National Archive (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 33, л. 1)</ref>
* 28 August 1968 - honored with the order "George Dimitrov" for the occasion of her 80th birthday<ref>Central Administrative Authority (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 24, л. 1)</ref>
* 16th June 1972 - honorary diploma from the Central Union of Professional Unions for the traditional epic story "Mother Parashkeva"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 34, л. 1)</ref>
* 23 May 1969 - honored with the title "Gifted agent of culture"<ref>Central National Archive (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 33, л. 1)</ref>
* 9th July 1978 - honored with the title "Laureate of Dimitrov's Award" for the poem collections "Wait Sun", "Depths", and "The Thickened Silence"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 37, л. 1)</ref>
* 16 June 1972 - honorary diploma from the Central Union of Professional Unions for the traditional epic story "Mother Parashkeva"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 34, л. 1)</ref>
* 25th August 1978 - honored with the title "Hero of the socialist effort" for the occasion of her 90th birthday<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 37, л. 1)</ref>
* 9 July 1978 - honored with the title "Laureate of Dimitrov's Award" for the poem collections "Wait Sun", "Depths", and "The Thickened Silence"<ref name="auto">Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 37, л. 1)</ref>
* 25th December 1978 - honored with the honorable sign of Sofia, I degree<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 49, л. 1)</ref>
* 25 August 1978 - honored with the title "Hero of the socialist effort" for the occasion of her 90th birthday<ref name="auto"/>
* 25 December 1978 - honored with the honorable sign of Sofia, I degree<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 49, л. 1)</ref>
* June 1979 - special award from the Union of Bulgarian Composers for her lyrical poem "Headstrong"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 52, л. 1)</ref>
* June 1979 - special award from the Union of Bulgarian Composers for her lyrical poem "Headstrong"<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 52, л. 1)</ref>
* April 1979 - marked with the award "Petko Rachov Slaveikov" for her literary and artistic contribution to children's and young people's literature<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 54, л. 1)</ref>
* April 1979 - marked with the award "Petko Rachov Slaveikov" for her literary and artistic contribution to children's and young people's literature<ref>Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 54, л. 1)</ref>
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==External links==
==External links==
* "Dora Gabe" in ''[https://www.europeana.eu/portal/en/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe Pioneers: Trailblazing women in the arts, sciences and society],'' 2019 exhibition by ''[[Europeana]]'' (CC By-SA)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050802085200/http://medlem.spray.se/adriana/ Contains biography of Dora Gabe] <!-- better link should be found -->
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050802085200/http://medlem.spray.se/adriana/ Contains biography of Dora Gabe]<!-- better link should be found -->
* https://map.herstoryproject.eu/sofia/ - Interactive map of Sofia, Bulgaria, illustrating the lives of Bulgarian women who have made significant contributions to society, including Dora Gabe.

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Bulgarian translators]]
[[Category:Bulgarian translators]]
[[Category:Bulgarian women poets]]
[[Category:Bulgarian women poets]]
[[Category:Bulgarian women writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Bulgarian women writers]]
[[Category:20th-century women writers]]
[[Category:20th-century writers]]
[[Category:Bulgarian Jews]]
[[Category:Bulgarian Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century translators]]
[[Category:20th-century translators]]
[[Category:20th-century Bulgarian Jews]]

Latest revision as of 12:45, 9 December 2024

Dora Gabe
Dora Gabe, before 1939
Dora Gabe, before 1939
Born(1888-08-16)16 August 1888
Dabovik, Bulgaria
Died16 November 1983(1983-11-16) (aged 95)
Sofia, Bulgaria
OccupationPoet
LanguageBulgarian
NationalityBulgarian
Alma materSofia University
University of Grenoble
University of Geneva
GenrePoetry

Dora Petrova Gabe (in bulgarian: Дора Петрова Габе) (born Isidora Petrova Peysakh, 16 August 1888[1] – 16 November 1983) was а Bulgarian Jewish poet, writer and translator.[2] She published poetry for adults and children as well as travel books, short stories and essays. In her later years, she also did extensive work in translation.

She is widely regarded as one of the most famous women Bulgarian poets and is cherished by Bulgarians not only for her work but also for her deep respect for all the arts and her charitable spirit.

Biography

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Born in 1886, in a country that had recently freed itself from Ottoman rule, Dora Gabe came from a family of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. She was the daughter of Peter Gabe who became the first Jew to be elected to the Bulgarian National Assembly. When he was barred from taking office, he turned to journalism and became a well known public figure in Bulgaria.[3]

Dora Gabe attended high school in Varna, and then pursued a degree in Natural Sciences at Sofia University (1904). Later, she studied French Philology in Geneva and Grenoble (1905–1906).[4]

Back in Bulgaria, she taught French in Dobrich in 1907 and also began to publish poems in various journals.[5] A quiet nostalgia emanates from her works, which are dedicated to sentimental and intimate themes, but also partly to the region of her childhood, Dobruja, a land disputed between Bulgaria and Romania.

From 1911 to 1932, she lived abroad again, in Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, and the United Kingdom with her husband, the professor and literary critic Boyan Penev.[6] In 1923, they separated for good but did not divorce.[7] He reportedly had affairs and pressured her to give up her own writing to devote herself to translation. They parted ways well before his death in 1927. Reflecting on her marriage, Dora was deeply critical: "My marriage to Boyan Penev (...) drew me deeper into his pursuits. While his influence enriched me, it came at the cost of my own identity. I stopped living my own inner life and instead lived his. Sadly, I only found the space to truly flourish after his death.".[8]

In the 1920s and 1930s, she gave numerous lectures on political and cultural issues such as the development of Bulgarian literature and the fate of the Dobruja region. In 1925, the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria assigned Dora Gabe to edit the series Библиотека за най-малките (Library for the youngest).[9] She also served as editor of the children's magazine Window (1939–1941). She was as well one of the founders of the Bulgarian-Polish Committee (1922) and the Bulgarian PEN Club (1927). She served as a longtime president for the latter.[10]

In Bulgaria, the political situation was very unstable during the interwar period. The alliance with Nazi Germany during World War II led to a conflict with the Soviet Union, followed by a communist coup in 1944. She could not escape the constraints imposed on the literary world by the new Bulgarian regime and published a collection in 1946, Vela, praising the communist partisans.

From 1947 to 1950, she was counselor for cultural affairs at the Bulgarian Embassy in Warsaw.[11]

Subsequently, she continued writing, focusing on more intimate concerns.

She died on November 16th, 1983 at the age of 95, in Sofia, Bulgaria.[12]

Literary career

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Photo of young Dora Gabe

In 1900 in Shumen, she published one of her first poems, at only 14 years old, called Spring in the literary journal Youth.[13] Soon after, she published a series of poems in the magazines Thought, Democratic Review and New Society in 1905–1906. This marked the start of her literary career.[14]

In the 1920s and 1930s, she published poetry for both adults and children, travelogues, stories, essayistic fiction, impressions, theater reviews, and articles on both foreign and Bulgarian literature. She also wrote biographical sketches of poets and writers for magazines such as Contemporary Thought, Zlatorog, Polish-Bulgarian Review, Democratic Review, Falling Leaves, Dobrudjanski Review, Art and Criticism, Slovo, Age, Journal of Women, Free Speech, Dawn, Women's Voice, Thought, Contemporary, Journal of Newspapers, Dnevnik, and Fireworks.[15] [16]

Additionally, she contributed to various children's periodicals such as Firefly, Children's Joy, Children's World, Drugarche, Children's Life, Iveta, Nightingale, Merry Band, Window, and others.[17] [18]

After 1944, she was widely published in the most popular Bulgarian newspapers and journals, as well as in the children's magazine Nightingale, Squad, Children, art, books, and others.[19]

Violets, Gabe's first lyrical poetry book, demonstrates Secession sentimentalism and a deep understanding of symbolism.

Her works have been translated in Argentina, Austria, Great Britain, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Canada, Cuba, Lebanon, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic.[20]

Translation

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From 1917 until the end of her life, fluent in Polish, Czech, Russian, French, and Greek, she also dedicated herself to translation work.[21] [22]

She translated the works of Adam Mickiewicz, Maria Konopnicka, Stanisław Wyspiański, Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer, Juliusz Słowacki, Władysław Reymont, Jan Kasprowicz, Henryk Sienkiewicz, B. Leader, Adolf Dygasiński, L. Staffan, A. Slonimsky, Julian Tuwim, K. Alberti, I. Volker, F. Fletch, Vítězslav Nezval, Karel Čapek, G. Jian, Y. Seifert, A. Slutsk, V. Bronevski, C. Imber, Samuil Marshak, E. Kamberos, R. Bumi-Papa, M. Lundemis, Yiannis Ritsos and many others.[23]

Her most renowned translation works include:

  • The series of anthologies Polish poets (1921)[24]
  • Anthems by Ian Kasprovich (1924)[25]
  • Angel by J. Słowacki (1925)[26]

Works in English

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  • Dora Gabe (1978). John Robert Colombo; Nikola Roussanoff (eds.). Depths: conversations with the sea. Hounslow Press. ISBN 978-0-88882-035-8. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
The Grave of Dora Gabe at Sofia Central Cemetery (42°42′49.7″N 023°19′57.2″E / 42.713806°N 23.332556°E / 42.713806; 23.332556)

Honors and awards

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  • 27 August 1927 - Golden Cross for Merit (Poland)[27]
  • 20 April 1929 - an honorary diploma from the Peace Council[28]
  • 30 December 1946 - order "9th of September 1944", III degree[29]
  • 1 October 1963 - award of the Coalition of Bulgarian Writers for her poem "Homeland"[30]
  • 21 May 1966 - honored with the title "Marked agent of culture" in the area of poetry[31]
  • In 1968, she was awarded the title "Honorary citizen of the city of Tolbuhin".[32]
  • 28 August 1968 - honored with the order "George Dimitrov" for the occasion of her 80th birthday[33]
  • 23 May 1969 - honored with the title "Gifted agent of culture"[34]
  • 16 June 1972 - honorary diploma from the Central Union of Professional Unions for the traditional epic story "Mother Parashkeva"[35]
  • 9 July 1978 - honored with the title "Laureate of Dimitrov's Award" for the poem collections "Wait Sun", "Depths", and "The Thickened Silence"[36]
  • 25 August 1978 - honored with the title "Hero of the socialist effort" for the occasion of her 90th birthday[36]
  • 25 December 1978 - honored with the honorable sign of Sofia, I degree[37]
  • June 1979 - special award from the Union of Bulgarian Composers for her lyrical poem "Headstrong"[38]
  • April 1979 - marked with the award "Petko Rachov Slaveikov" for her literary and artistic contribution to children's and young people's literature[39]

References

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  1. ^ "Регионална библиотека Дора Габе - гр. Добрич :: :: Маратон на четенето". libdobrich.bg. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Bulgarian Literature". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org.
  3. ^ Baeva, Iskra. "Incomprehension of the Nature of the Race Question": Saving the Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust" – via www.academia.edu. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  5. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  6. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  7. ^ https://kultura.bg/web/%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B0/
  8. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  9. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  10. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  11. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  12. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  13. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  14. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  15. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  16. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  17. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  18. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  19. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  20. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  21. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  22. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  23. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  24. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  25. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  26. ^ https://dictionarylit-bg.eu/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5
  27. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 17, л. 1)
  28. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 21, л. 1)
  29. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 20, л. 1)
  30. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 22, л. 1)
  31. ^ Central National Archive (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 23, л. 1)
  32. ^ https://www.europeana.eu/fr/exhibitions/pioneers/dora-gabe
  33. ^ Central Administrative Authority (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 24, л. 1)
  34. ^ Central National Archive (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 33, л. 1)
  35. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 34, л. 1)
  36. ^ a b Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 37, л. 1)
  37. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 49, л. 1)
  38. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 52, л. 1)
  39. ^ Central National Archives (ЦДА, Ф. 1771К, оп. 1, а.е. 54, л. 1)
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