TRAVELLING IN THE WORLD IS BIG AND SALVATION LURKS AROUND THE CORNER BY IlIJA TROJANOV AND APOSTOLOFF BY SIBYLLE LEWITSCHAROFF

Abstract

The article draws a comparison between two contemporary novels centred around the theme of travelling, namely: Svetat e Golyam i Spasenie Debne Otvsyakade (The World is Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner) by Ilija Troyanov and Apostoloff by Sibylle Lewitscharoff. The protagonists of both books are children of Bulgarian expatriates that embark on a journey to their homeland after years of living in Germany. However, their return to Bulgaria is unusual as the destination changes: the protagonists of Lewitscharoff travel around Europe whilst the protagonists of Troyanov’s novel even succeed in reaching America. The meaning of these journeys is twofold: on the one hand, they are undertaken due to a desire to get to know new countries, and, on the other, so that characters get the chance to overcome personal crises and barriers.