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CBETЛИHATA HA MPAKA [THE LIGHT OF DARKNESS] by Alexey Zhalov 2014 303 pp, SB in Bulgarian. ISBN 978-954-677-084-4 Published by the Foundation for Bulgarian Literature, Sofia. c ?20.00
The book is a continuation of the author's first memoir ?Underground Diary". In this latest book Alexey describes the events of the decade following his 50th anniversary - 2003 - 2013. The first chapter, named "Forgotten Memories", includes interesting events which occurred more than 30 years ago. It starts with a story about the author's wanderings in the caves of the low and high Tatras in Slovakia in 1983. The next chapter takes us back to Bulgaria to the "Karvavata Lokva" (The Bloody Puddle), an area in the Kotel region of the Balkan mountain, where one of the most interesting caves in Bulgaria is situated. A funny story follows, in which the author tells us about a rescue organized by a few cavers, who saved a pig that had fallen down a 25 meter-deep shaft. Then the topic is abruptly changed and the Alexey reveals some thoughts about treasure hunting and how it damages caves. He goes onto describe his interest in water tracing and how he traced the path of the underground river in Brashilanovata Cave (The Ivy Cave), Lovech district.
Alexey is well travelled and in Serbia, he lead a team to explore the caves in Belianitza Mountain. Again in Serbia, near the village of Poganovo, he joins members of club "Helictite" and spent New Year Eve in 2007 exploring Vetrena Dupka, the largest cave in the region. In Anatolia, Turkey, his team explored the underground cave cities of Capadoccia. This chapter is a prelude to his study of the cave-sanctuaries in Bulgaria.
Whilst participating in the European congress of Speleology in Lans-en-Vercors in France, he was elected to Vice-Secretary General of the European Federation of Speleology (FSE). He is also President of the Balkan Speleological Union.
Alexey has caved all over Europe. In Greece he visited two show caves: Alistrati and Angitis (Maara) which he describes as being the best in Greece. In Slovenia he visited Vilenitza and the famous Postonia Cave. In Abkhazia, Georgia, he bottomed Voronia the deepest cave in the world.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kirgizstan; Kosovo, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine, Alexey has caved in them all, but his main claim to fame is his pioneer work in cave research and expeditions to numerous areas in Bulgaria.
One has to marvel at the dedication and energy of this grand old man of speleology, the wealth of his experience and knowledge should be an example to the up and coming speleologists of today, let us hope that in 50 years time his legacy is still ongoing
TO
The book is a continuation of the author's first memoir ?Underground Diary". In this latest book Alexey describes the events of the decade following his 50th anniversary - 2003 - 2013. The first chapter, named "Forgotten Memories", includes interesting events which occurred more than 30 years ago. It starts with a story about the author's wanderings in the caves of the low and high Tatras in Slovakia in 1983. The next chapter takes us back to Bulgaria to the "Karvavata Lokva" (The Bloody Puddle), an area in the Kotel region of the Balkan mountain, where one of the most interesting caves in Bulgaria is situated. A funny story follows, in which the author tells us about a rescue organized by a few cavers, who saved a pig that had fallen down a 25 meter-deep shaft. Then the topic is abruptly changed and the Alexey reveals some thoughts about treasure hunting and how it damages caves. He goes onto describe his interest in water tracing and how he traced the path of the underground river in Brashilanovata Cave (The Ivy Cave), Lovech district.
Alexey is well travelled and in Serbia, he lead a team to explore the caves in Belianitza Mountain. Again in Serbia, near the village of Poganovo, he joins members of club "Helictite" and spent New Year Eve in 2007 exploring Vetrena Dupka, the largest cave in the region. In Anatolia, Turkey, his team explored the underground cave cities of Capadoccia. This chapter is a prelude to his study of the cave-sanctuaries in Bulgaria.
Whilst participating in the European congress of Speleology in Lans-en-Vercors in France, he was elected to Vice-Secretary General of the European Federation of Speleology (FSE). He is also President of the Balkan Speleological Union.
Alexey has caved all over Europe. In Greece he visited two show caves: Alistrati and Angitis (Maara) which he describes as being the best in Greece. In Slovenia he visited Vilenitza and the famous Postonia Cave. In Abkhazia, Georgia, he bottomed Voronia the deepest cave in the world.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kirgizstan; Kosovo, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine, Alexey has caved in them all, but his main claim to fame is his pioneer work in cave research and expeditions to numerous areas in Bulgaria.
One has to marvel at the dedication and energy of this grand old man of speleology, the wealth of his experience and knowledge should be an example to the up and coming speleologists of today, let us hope that in 50 years time his legacy is still ongoing
TO
