Greeks or Bulgarians? Intertwined Identities in Salonica (1860s ― 1870s)

Abstract

Based mainly on archival materials and sources from the 19th century, this chapter traces the formation of the Bulgarian national community in Salonica, where it happened with some delay. However, it fi t into the general processes of development of the Bulgarian communities in the Ottoman Empire. In the capital of the Ottoman province of Macedonia, the process of national emancipation of Bulgarians was complicated by a number of factors. Nevertheless, despite the strong Greek infl uence among the Bulgarians in Salonica, in the 1860s and 1870s, they emancipated themselves and created their fi rst institutions, which was an important step in process of formation of independent Bulgarian national community. Before the beginning of the Eastern crisis (1875–1878) Bulgarians became a visible part of the population of the port city. They created their own Church community, which after the establishment of the Bulgarian Exarchate was recognized by the authorities and maintained two primary schools with three teachers. Despite successful steps taken for national emancipation of the Bulgarians in the city, many Bulgarian merchants preferred to remain part of the Greek society. This is an example of so-called hybrid identities encountered among some members of Bulgarian urban elite in the 19th century. We are talking about transformations within one generation, when preference is given to a “more prestigious” identity, usually Greek. Apart from fears of political persecution, this is also due to economic reasons. The situation changed with the intensification of migration and urbanization processes in the last quarter of the 19th century, when many Bulgarians from nearby villages and more distant places settled in the port city.