Nayden Gerov, born Nayden Gerov Hadzhidobrevich February 23, 1823, Koprivshtitsa – October 9, 1900, Plovdiv) was a Bulgarian linguist, folklorist, writer and public figure during the Bulgarian National Revival.
Gerov was the son of Gero Dobrevich, a teacher. He studied at his father's school, then at a Greek school in Plovdiv from 1834 to 1836, again in his hometown until 1839, and finally in Odessa, in the Russian Empire, where he graduated from the Richelieu Lyceum in 1845. Gerov became a Russian subject and came back to Koprivshtitsa, where he established his own school, named after Saints Cyril and Methodius. He became famous for his erudition and was invited to open a gymnasium in Plovdiv as well, an invitation which he accepted. As a publicist, he fought the "Graecisation" (assimilation to Greek culture) among the Bulgarians of the time, especially in Plovidiv. At the same time, he managed to compete successfully with the Greek gymnasium in Plovdiv. During the Crimean War (1854–56), he was forced to temporarily leave the country as a Russian subject. In 1857, Gerov became "First Vice-Consul" of Russia in Plovdiv. As such, he strove to further the Bulgarian national cause, help young Bulgarians to receive scholarships abroad, etc.. He also tried to further the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire, but he relied on help from Russia and was opposed to the more radical revolutionary emigres who wanted an independent uprising, such as Lyuben Karavelov, Vasil Levski, and Hristo Botev. During the April uprising (1876), he was suspected of having been one of the organisers and was forced to go into hiding, seeking refuge in the Russian legation in Constantinople. After the liberation, he held some administrative offices for a short time, but soon devoted all of his time to philology.
Gerov's principal work was his unique Dictionary of the Bulgarian Language (Рѣчникъ на блъгарскъıй язъıкъ). For about fifty years, he collected, from ordinary people, a great number of words, expressions, proverbs, folk songs, and proper nouns. The first three letters were already published in 1855–1856 in Russia, but the dictionary as a whole was published in five volumes, from 1895 to 1904, with an appendix added in 1908 by Gerov's collaborator T.Panchev. The dictionary contains about 100,000 entries (if the appendix is included). It is considered an extremely valuable source for the study of the Bulgarian language of the 19th century.
Gerov was also an advocate of an orthography for the Bulgarian literary language based on the etymological principle. His orthography was, however, eventually rejected in favour of the one proposed by Marin Drinov.
Gerov Pass in Tangra Mountains on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Nayden Gerov.
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Some of their strengths
Nayden Gerov has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Creative, Intuitive, Kind, Imaginative, Bold, Energetic, and Passionate.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Nayden Gerov is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who is known for being diligent and strong.
Adaptable and Versatile
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Nayden Gerov well know them as someone who can be adaptable, flexible, and polite, like a flower or a sapling.
Methodical and Exacting
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Nayden Gerov as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.
A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.
Social and Intuitive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Nayden Gerov is someone who values forming deep friendships and relationships, and who has strong intuition and reasoning skills .
They are also someone who is altruistic, tolerant, and sophisticated, and who tends to be a perfectionist who is always working to try and make everything and everyone better.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Nayden Gerov tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of Nayden Gerov's challenges
While Nayden Gerov has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Nayden Gerov can be Unrealistic, Sensitive, Critical, Indecisive, Arrogant, Status-seeking, and Hesitant.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of Nayden Gerov's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
Nayden Gerov must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive, and can be excessive and unrealistic.
Sensitive and Critical
Nayden Gerov is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, Nayden Gerov also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
