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Yasna Polyana village still remembers the Tolstoyan commune from the turn of the 20th century

Photo: library

The village’s old name was Alan Kayryak and it is located south of the city of Burgas, in the foothills of Mount Strandzha. It is known for its many stork nests as

from his home in Yasnaya Polyana in Russia, together with his doctor, to join his followers in Bulgaria, but on the way fell sick and died.

The colony close to the Bulgarian seashore fell apart in 1908 but had a lasting impact on the villagers. Today there is an intriguing museum collection there dedicated to the Tolstoyan commune and their teacher.

Find out more about the Bulgarian well as… the Bulgarian Tolstoyans.

In October 1906 the famed Tolstoyan commune was founded in the village by a group of enthusiasts. They were followers of the philosophy of Russian writer Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy preaching non-violence and a new freer way of life.

It is thought that at the end of his life the world famous writer and humanist started out Tolstoyans HERE.

Compiled by Veneta Nikolova



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