The Spirits and Creatures series takes an in-depth look at spirits and creatures across Eastern Europe. Author Ronesa Aveela grew up in Bulgaria where many of these entities were part of the tales and beliefs her grandmother told to her. This series will look at the origins of these beings, and popular ways people believed you could appease or defeat them. Illustrations, stories, music, and videos add to the details of these fascinating beings. This collection contains the first three books of the series, plus a book of additional dragon tales: *A Study of Household Spirits of Eastern Europe *A Study of Rusalki – Slavic Mermaids of Eastern Europe *A Study of Dragons of Eastern Europe *Dragon Tales from Eastern Europe Although the books have extensive research, they are meant for a non-academic audience.

• Discover Ancient Bulgarian Myths, Legends, Folklore, and Mythology • Meet Heroes from Greek Mythology with Thracian Origins • Enjoy Diverse, Delicious Modern and Traditional Bulgarian Recipes A book for children and adults from 8 to 108 who would like to take a journey and discover Bulgarian folk tales, legends, and mythology. Whether you want to learn a little about their ancient Thracian origins, or you want to experience rituals practiced throughout the year with a fictitious Bulgarian family, or even if you’re only interested in traditional Bulgarian cuisine, this book has something for everyone. Bulgarian culture is rich in folklore and traditions surviving since the days of the ancient Thracians. As pagan and Christian religions collided, many celebrations merged into one.“Light Love Rituals” will take you on a journey to discover these unique festivals. • Illuminated by the light of the full moon, a woman in a long, white robe holds an icon while she dances in a trance over burning coals. The mystical music of a shepherd’s pipe plays in the background. • Women dressed in colorful outfits dance in a circle, then pass through an enormous wreath made of magical healing herbs. • Wild spring flowers decorate the hair of young girls. Laden with baskets filled with colorful Easter eggs, the youths travel from house to house singing to bring health and prosperity to the village. • Men clothed like wild animals with colorful, scary masks parade around a village. Attached around their waists, giant cow bells resound announcing their arrival. The men jump and yell to scare away evil spirits. "Light Love Rituals," not only describes the rituals, but also makes them interesting and understandable to people of all ages. The book is divided into four seasons, beginning with winter. It includes activities where you can learn how to make martenitsi, survachka, and Easter eggs dyed with natural colors. A short quiz after each season lets you test your knowledge of what you’ve read. To help you engage in the traditions in the book, you’ll meet Maria and her family. They’ll open the doors of their home so you can participate in these celebrations along with them. For an added taste of Bulgaria, try some of the traditional recipes at the end.

Have you ever wondered if dragons were real? Author Ronesa Aveela grew up in Bulgaria, terrified by tales of dragons capturing beautiful girls for their brides. Her grandmother armed her with protective herbs and performed rituals passed down from generation to generation. Dragons, the third book in the series, takes you across Eastern Europe to discover folkloric beliefs, fairy tales, customs, and rituals about the dragons who once lived in the land, and still do within the hearts of many. You’ll learn historical facts, discover intriguing and horrifying stories, and enjoy beautiful illustrations to gain a complete experience of these magnificent creatures. Here are a few topics you can expect to find within the book’s pages: *Learn about how dragons or the idea of dragons developed. Did they ever exist in some form in the past? *Explore the lives of dragons: their purpose, how they live, how to defeat or appease them. *Discover the stories, facts, and fiction behind several popular dragon slayers. Dragons is an enlightening nonfiction cultural study in the Spirits and Creatures series. If you like impeccable research, chilling stories, and clever humor, then you’ll love Ronesa Aveela’s educational folklore series. Explore the pages of Dragons today to discover a world of wonders.

A biographical sketch of Georgi Stoikov Rakovski who is widely known in Bulgaria as the founder of the organized Bulgarian National Liberation Movement. His activity is closely connected with the whole new stage in the history of the Bulgarian National Revival. This passionate and ardent revolutionary was a versatile personality; a poet, Downalist, historian, ethnographer, numismatist, diplomat, student of folklore, linguist. In addition to this, his efforts to establish unity and understanding among the Balkan nations made him one of the most outstanding politicians of the Balkans in the middle of the 19th century. Rakovski was the first in Europe to create a consciousness about Hindustan. Eversince 1857, the fountainhead of Indian studies in Eastern Europe he did significant work in Sanskrit literature, philosophy and folklore, ethnography and numismatics. A glowing tribute to Rakovski, the work explores what he left behind. A detailed study of his single-handed contribution in the field of Indology that can be a matter of pride for any cultural centre. This book is a biographical sketch of Georgi Stoikov Rakovski who firmly believed that the source of all the civilizations of the world is India. Though brought up in the tradition of Hellenic culture, he was drawn to the culture and literature of India. He translated a part of the Ramayana. It was as early as 1857 that he published in his newspaper a series of reports about the struggle of the Indian people, about their resistance to the oppresser. It’s as far back as 130 years he wrote in his paper “India must belong to the people of India and not to England, sooner or later, this must be so†. This book pays a glowing tribute to Rakovski and explores in detail his single handed contribution in the field of Indology and Balkan studies. It can be a matter of pride and research for any centre of Indology and Balkan studies. Reviews G. Mukerjee writes about Rakovski’s role in bringing home to his countrymen the great civilization of India and its struggle for freedom from the British. The book makes it clear that Bulgaria owes a great deal to his patriot. Pavanmeet Sethy, Patriot, New Delhi, 4 Oct., 1987. A book like this jointly authored by Veselin Traikov and G. Mukerjee, the noted Indian Scholar on Eastern Europe, is particularly welcome because it portrays objectively the life of Georgi Stoikov Rakovski, an extraordinary revolutionary who defied all resistance from the weilders of political power. It also describes important aspects of his ideas and ideals with which India came to be related quite deeply. ``... Rakovski’s researches were remarkable and one hopes there will be no dearth of scholars in this country to start again from where Rakovski left''. Biswajit Ray, Amrita Bazar Patrika, Calcutta, 2 August, 1987. This is a holy and precious book and I shall read it with great interest “this precious book will have a place of honour in our libarary.....†Devika Rani, Bangalore. ``I would like to assure you that the book is very interesting and useful and its publication will strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bulgarian People''. L. Darkim, Charge of Affairs a.i., Embassy of India, Sofia. ``Georgi Stoikov Rakovski was born in April 1821 in Kotel in a family of old revolutionary traditions and a spirit of independence. It was as early as 1857 that he published a series of reports about the struggles of the Indian people and their resistance to the British Oppressors. He wrote in his paper regarding the struggle of 1857, ``India must be free'' and ``India must belong to the people of India and not to England.'' Although he was brought up in the traditions of Hellenic Culture, he was drawn to the culture and literature of India. He translated a part of the Ramayana. Indeed, in the history of Indo-Bulgarian relations, the name of Georgi Stoikov Rakovski towers over all as one of the greatest friends of India. Indian antiquity, Indian culture and the people of India.'' Patriot, November 1, 1987, New Delhi.