Ivan Hadzhiyski: The life and sociological work of a Bulgarian scholar

Ivan Hadzhiyski (1907–1949) was a prominent Bulgarian sociologist and lawyer whose work focused on the practical study of the Bulgarian character. Born in Troyan to a craftsman family, Hadzhiyski pursued studies in philosophy at Sofia University and later completed law school, working various jobs such as a waiter and stenographer to support himself.

Unlike many contemporary scholars who studied society from academic offices, Hadzhiyski utilized a field-based approach. Starting in the 1930s, he traveled extensively across Bulgaria to interview artisans, peasants, laborers, and small traders to understand the actual habits and reading preferences of the people.

His major works include ‘Bit i dushevnost na nashiya narod’ (Way of Life and Mentality of Our People), the first volume of which was published in 1940. The work examines the psychology of the Bulgarian peasant, community relations, and the drive for autonomy. He also authored ‘Optimistic Doctrine for Our People’, a collection of studies written between 1937 and 1942 that sought to address societal weaknesses without resorting to fatalism.