Golden quinces ripening on our tree. Photo by Danni Howe

The Beauty of the Quince: Childhood Memories and the Art of Translation

First things first—if you have ever tried to take a bite out of a raw quince, you will understand why it is not as straightforward as an apple. Tough and a bit too sharp for most palates when fresh off the tree, the quince requires a little culinary magic to truly shine.

For me, quinces are more than just a seasonal treat—they are tied to fond childhood memories from my time in Bulgaria. I remember the trees, much like the one outside our home now, heavy with fruit that would soon be transformed into jams and compotes, and once picked, filling the room with their distinctive, long-lasting aroma. The scent of cooking quinces in our kitchen brings me right back to those moments of warmth and family love. As a child, I knew my nan’s quince jam was unmatched, and despite never tasting anyone else's, I still believe it. She also baked quinces, halved and sugar-coated, allowing them to caramelise to perfection in the oven, filling the kitchen with the most divine aroma.

Cosy autumn kitchen with quince-inspired treats, capturing family traditions and warm memories. The image is AI-generated by Danni Howe.

You might wonder how this relates to translation, particularly from Bulgarian to English. Like quince, translation is about transformation—turning something raw and unfamiliar into something refined and accessible. Just as you would not offer a raw quince to enjoy, words need careful handling to preserve their essence, considering both cultures. It is an art, much like my nan’s jam recipe, passed down and adapted over time.

From Quince to Queens: The Elocution Mishap

Although quinces are well-known to most Bulgarians, many still ask me how to say it in English. I tell them and even throw in a little mnemonic about "queens" to help them remember. But there was one moment that would have made my English elocution tutor roll his eyes! At that time, I had recently discovered quince gin, and it became my new favourite flavour. While visiting the Midlands, we went to the hotel bar, and I confidently asked the barman for a quince gin. His ears, clearly unaccustomed to foreign accents, led him to say they did not have it. I insisted they did, having enjoyed it the night before. Eventually, he "realised" what I wanted and returned proudly with a bottle of Queen’s gin, specially crafted for the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth! Safe to say, I did not make my tutor proud that day!

Beautiful quince blossoms, a sign of spring and a promise of the delicious fruit to come. Photo by Danni Howe

Turning Quince into Culinary Magic (Family Favourites) 

Here are some of our family favourites that transform this odd-looking fruit into pure deliciousness:

• My nan’s quince jam - a nostalgic treat that pairs beautifully with a slice of fresh bread or cheese.
• My mum’s and nan's baked quince - a simple yet satisfying way that brings out the fruit’s full flavour.
• My own quince Tart Tatinn - often combined with apples for a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. It's a twist on the classic, but oh, so good.
• My own quince crumble - combining the fruit’s tartness with a buttery, crunchy topping for a cosy autumn dessert.
• My own quince duck sauce - a delicacy that adds depth and sweetness to savoury dishes.
• My own quince ice cream - I probably shouldn't mention this one because it was a bit of a failure. 
• And, for the adults only, quince gin—a fragrant, autumnal twist on a classic spirit. Trust me, it’s a must-try!

The Art of Transformation: From Quinces to Words

So, next time you pass by a quince tree or stumble upon a translation challenge, think of the journey each takes—from its raw, unrefined state to something filled with character and meaning. Both require care, attention to detail, and a deep appreciation for the process. And, much like a perfectly baked quince or a well-crafted translation, the result is always worth it.

As autumn settles in and the quinces ripen on our tree, we are ready once again for those curious knocks at the door. And whether they are asking about the fruit or the art of translation, I am here to help. 

Quinces hanging on the tree, slowly ripening into their golden hue. Photo by Danni Howe

About The Author

Danni Howe is an experienced content creator and translator, offering Bulgarian-English translation services focusing on legal, medical, and economic fields.

For inquiries, collaborations, or content writing services, visit TRANSLA Translation Services.

It is a bit confusing.

The Cyrillic alphabet is named after Saint Cyril, a 9th-century Byzantine monk. But here is the twist—Cyril, along with his brother, Saint Methodius, originally came up with a different alphabet called Glagolitic. This alphabet was used for religious texts way back in the 9th - 10th centuries. And guess what? Glagolitic does not look anything like the Cyrillic letters we know today!

Back in the day, the Glagolitic alphabet was a big deal because it gave the Slavs their very first written language, which was super important for spreading Christianity. Before that, the Slavs were busy worshipping a whole bunch of gods, like Perun, the god of thunder, and Veles, the god of the underworld. Yet, the alphabet that Saint Cyril actually developed is not the one we use today.

So why do we call it Cyrillic?

Well, Glagolitic was kind of a headache—it was tough to learn and not exactly user-friendly. People needed something easier for writing. Saint Clement of Ohrid and Saint Naum, the star students of Cyril and Methodius, coined a new, simpler script. They borrowed some letters from the Greek alphabet, making it way easier for anyone who already knew Greek. And in a sweet tribute to their Beloved teacher, they named it Cyrillic. Fun fact: it pretty much looks the same today! We have dropped a few letters along the way, and the modern Bulgarian Cyrillic alphabet is now more concise, with 30 letters instead of the original 44. But what Saint Clement and his crew developed in Saint Cyril’s honour has stood the test of time, making it one of the most enduring alphabets in the world.

The Spread of Cyrillic

Cyrillic quickly gained popularity in the First Bulgarian Empire and became the official script in the late 9th century, unifying the Bulgarian people and preserving their language and culture. From there, it spread to Russia through Bulgarian missionaries and scholars. Today, the language used in Orthodox services in Bulgaria, known as Old Church Slavonic, is archaic—much like Latin—and it was the original language spoken when the Cyrillic alphabet was created. While some words may be familiar, a modern-day Bulgarian would struggle to fully understand what the priests say in Old Church Slavonic.

The Legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Nowadays, Greeks, Bulgarians, and Macedonians all want to claim Saints Cyril and Methodius as their own. Greece plays up their Byzantine Greek roots, while Bulgarians and Macedonians proudly highlight how the Brothers shaped Slavic culture and language. The truth? The brothers were born in Thessaloniki, now in Greece, but their real fame came from their work with the Slavs, which left a huge mark on the histories of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. And let’s be honest, we Bulgarians are especially proud of our connection to them. We celebrate the Cyrillic alphabet as a treasured gift we have shared with the world. So much so that our Bulgarian passports feature illustrations of Cyril and Methodius, along with the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets, as a nod to their lasting legacy.

Bulgarian passport pages honouring St.  Cyril and St. Methodius, the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets. Photo: Danni Howe

Here Are Some Interesting Facts About the Cyrillic Alphabet

• A unique alphabet: Cyrillic is one of the few alphabets in the world named after an individual. It originally contained 44 letters, but modern Bulgarian uses 30, and the Russians use 33.
• Widespread use: Today, Cyrillic is used by over 120 million people in countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
• European Union recognition: When Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, Cyrillic became the third official script of the European Union, alongside Latin and Greek.

Celebrating Cyrillic in Bulgaria

Every May 24^th, Bulgaria comes together to celebrate one of our most beloved holidays—a day devoted to the Bulgarian alphabet, education, and the profound contributions of Saints Cyril and Methodius. They are honoured everywhere you look, with their portraits proudly displayed. Pupils decorate their classroom doors and the Brothers’ portraits with wreaths of peonies and fresh spring flowers.

It is a celebration of those involved in education, but everyone gets involved. Schools, universities, and the entire community come together, with former students marking their graduation anniversaries and alumni reuniting. The whole town turns out to watch as students and academics parade through the streets, with the top students proudly wearing their "Top Achiever" sashes—so everyone knows exactly what they have accomplished! Parents and relatives cheer from the sidelines, ready to give them a nice treat afterwards. Folklore dancing fills the squares. It is a joyful celebration of national pride!

For a better idea of how 24 May is celebrated in Bulgaria, watch this video showing traditional festivities from my native town, Gabrovo in Central Bulgaria, where the first modern secular school was opened in 1835

The video highlights how Bulgarians honour their cultural heritage and the contributions of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Video credit: Mr Radoslav Parvanov, Radoslav Parvanov Photography

• Visit Radoslav Parvanov's official website: https://www.parvanov.org
• For more details or to explore their work, follow Radoslav Parvanov on his Facebook Page, Radoslav Parvanov Photography

Sources:

Encyclopaedia Britannica: "The History of the Cyrillic Alphabet". 

Cambridge University Library: " Transcription of Cyrillic" 

About The Author

Danni Howe is an experienced content creator and translator, offering Bulgarian-English translation services focusing on legal, medical, and economic fields.

For inquiries, collaborations, or content writing services, visit TRANSLA Translation Services.

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This image was AI generated by Danni Howe