“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, […]
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, […]
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, […]
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, […]
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.”
These are the blank verses by the American poet Walt Whitman. They refer to the manpower America was built on: a great physical energy accompanied by delighted singing souls.
I think Whitman would appreciate life at “Open Mind” (in Shipka) and “Vegetarium” (in Zhelen): he moved from the city to the country and celebrated honest and meaningful work. Indeed, these Bulgarian places are based on community labour in nature.
The poet describes as a nation emerges from the unity of individuals. People join forces and become a coherent whole, as a symphony made by many single voices.
Voices who are the expression of satisfied and calm beings, vibrating at the same time and reinforcing each other.
This is the spirit of these two eco-communities in Bulgaria. I hear Bulgaria singing.