PhD in Philology

Associate Prof. of the Department of Russian Literature Faculty of Slavic Philology, Sofia University “St. Clement Ohridski” in Bulgaria

lecturer in Bulgarian language, literature and culture at the Slavic Institute of the University of Cologne in Germany

Education:

graduated in Russian philology, German language and Bulgarian philology from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski” (1987 and later).

PhD thesis:          

Folklore-Epic Paradigms in the Old Russian Chronicles (1996)

Habilitation thesis for an Associate Professor:

The First Medieval Russian Princes – Saints (Images, Symbolism, Typology) (2013)

Research interests:

poetics of medieval Bulgarian, Russian and Serbian literature, cultural and historical contacts between the southern and eastern Slavs of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and the New Age, poetics of East Slavic folklore, church painting, etc.

Professional service

Member of the folklore commission of the International Committee of Slavists.

Member of the editorial board of the scientific series Patrolоgia Slavica, Old Rus. Questions of medieval studies, Nоvosibirsk State University Vestnik. Series: Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, Scientific notes of Orel State University. Series: Humanities and social sciences.

Member of Cologne-Bonn Centre for Central and Eastern Europe

Academic publications – over 70 publications, including 1 monograph.

Selected publications

Monographs

The First Medieval Russian Princes – Saints (Images, Symbolism, Typology). Sofia, University Press St. Kliment Ohridski, 2013 (In Bulgarian)

Edited Collections

• Russian Studies Today: Traditions and Prospects. Anniversary International Scientific Conference, Sofia, 23–25 November 2016. Съст. and ed. A. Vacheva, T. Aleksieva, Ts. Raleva, A. Radkova, K. Petrov, N. Nechaeva, I. Chekova. Sofia, 2017. (In Russ.)
• Classics and Canon in Russian Literature. The Anniversary. Comp. and ed. R. Bozhankova, L. Dimitrov, I. Chekova, G. Petkova, R. Parashkevova. Sofia, 2016. 278 p. (In Bulgarian)
• Classics and Canon in Russian Literature. The University Look. Compilers and Eds.R. Evtimova, R. Bozhankova, I. Chekova, R. Parashkevova, P. Paunova. Sofia, 2014. 239 p. (In Bulgarian)
• The River of Time. Collection of Articles in Memory of Prof. Lyudmila Boeva (1931-2001). Comp. A. Vacheva and I. Chekova. Sofia, 2007. 475 p. (In Bulgarian)
• Problems, Names and Schools in Russian Literary Studies in the 20^th Century. Comp. and Eds: I. Zaharievа, I. Vladovа, R. Bozhankovа, G. Petkovа, А. Vatchevа и I. Chekovа. Sofia, 2003. (In Bulgarian)

Selected Essays

• “The Instruction of Vladimir Monomakh and The Hexaemerоn of John the Exarch – More Parallels.” Routes of Literary Communication between Eastern and Southern Slavs (11^th-20^th Centuries). International Conference, 21–22 November 2019, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia. Comp. and Eds Anissava Miltenova, Igor Kaliganov. Sofia, 2020, pp. 120–128. (In Bulgarian)
• St Clement of Ohrid in the Literature of Eastern Slavs. Available at: https://sesdiva.eu/en/virtual-rooms/cultural-exchange/item/180-st-kliment-of-ohrid-in-the-literature-of-the-eastern-slavs-en; https://sesdiva.eu/proekt/conferences/item/98-routes-literary-communication (In Bulgarian)
• “Cyrillo-Мephodievsky Written Heritage and the Path of the Slavic Books.” The World of Slavic Writing and Culture in Orthodoxy, Socio-Humanitarian Knowledge. Seventeenth Slavic Scientific Council “Ural. Orthodoxy. Culture.” Comp. O.V. Terekhova. Chelyabinsk, 2019, pp. 169–184. (In Russ.)
• “Kliment’s of Okhrid Rhetorical Works and the Chronicle Eulogies Dedicated to the First Medieval Russian Christian Rulers.” St. Clement Ohridski in Culture to Europe. Collection of Reports at the International Scientific Conference, November 24–27, 2016, Sofia, 2018, pp. 7–24. (In Bulgarian)
• “Slavic Saints in Cyrillic Manuscripts in Croatia.” Language and Literatur, The Theme of this Issue: Bulgarian Studies in Croatia, Croatian Studies in Bulgaria, no. 3–4, 2018, pp. 209–224. Available at: http://www.ezik-i-literatura.eu/2018/3-4/16-EiL_3_4_2018_Iliana_Chekova.pdf (In Bulgarian)
• “Constantine the Great, the New Constantines and the Symbolism of the Cross in Ruler's Texts of Slavia Orthodoxa.” Yearbook of Sofia University “St. Cl. Ohridski.” Centre for Slavo-Byzantine Studies “Prof. Ivan Dujčev.” International Scientific Conference "Cultural Bridges. Past and Present”, Dedicated to the 30^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Centre for Slavo-Byzantine Studies “Prof. Ivan Dujčev”, Sofia University, 2–4 June 2016, vol. 99 (18), 2017, pp. 533–546. (In Bulgarian)
• “Wedding Text (View of Poetics and Symbolics of East Slavic Traditional Wedding Songs and Ritual Formulas).” Image – Myth – Text. Yearbook of „Ongal“ Association for Anthropology, Ethnology and Folklore Studies. Sofia, vol. 14, year X, 2016, pp. 203–230. Available at: https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=425116 (In Bulgarian)
• “The Image of the Sower: Chronicle Praise to Vladimir and Yaroslav in the Context of Bulgarian-Russian Literary Relations.” Millenial Tradition of Veneration of St. Equal to Apostles Prince Vladimir (Series “Value Foundations of Russian Artistic Culture”. Issue. 1). Saint Petersburg, 2016, pp. 53–57, pp. 194–215. (In Russ.)
• “Saint John Vladimir and the Literature Typology of Images of Princes Martyrs.” Church Studies: Yearbook of Centre of Church Studies, vol. 13, Niš, 2016, pp. 53–72. Available at: https://crkvenestudije.org/crkvenestudije.html (In Bulgarian)
• “The Written Heritage of the Old Bulgarian Scribe St. Clement of Ohrid and the Eastern Slavs.” Russian Studies Today: Traditions and Prospects. Anniversary International Scientific Conference, Sofia, November 23–25, 2016. Comp. and Eds.: А. Vatchevа, Т. Аlexieva, Tsv. Raleva, А. Radkova, К. Petrova, N. Nechaevа, I. Chekovа. Sofia, 2017, pp. 659–667. (In Russ.)
• “Тhe Оld Testament Narrative about Joseph and his Brothers and the Model of the Ruler for the Old Slavic Princes-Martyrs.” Scientific Notes of Orel State University. Series: Humanities and Social Sciences, no. 1 (64), 2015, pp. 223–228. Available at: http://oreluniver.ru/science/journal/notes/archive; http://www.univ-orel.ru/disert/sbornik/201501.pdf (In Russ.)
• “East Slavic Saints in Bulgarian Literature.” Proceeding of the Third International Congress of Bulgaristic, May 23–26, 2013. Section “Cyril and Methodius Studies.” Sofia, 2014, pp. 220–249. (In Bulgarian)
• “The Chronicle Praise to Princess Olga in Primary Chronicle: Poetics and Textual Criticism Guessworks. Part 1.” Old Rus. Questions of Medieval Studies, no. 2 (52), 2013, 92–103. Available at: http://www.drevnyaya.ru/vyp/2013_2/part_10.pdf (In Russ.); Part 2. Old Rus. Questions of Medieval Studies, no. 4 (54), Moscow, 2013, pp. 103–107. Available at: http://www.drevnyaya.ru/vyp/2013_4/part_12.pdf (In Russ.)
• “Images of East Slavic Saints in Bulgarian Churches from the Middle Ages and the Period of National Revival.” Old Bulgarian Literature, book. 48 (Saints and Holy Places in the Balkans, vol. 2), 2013, pp. 286–310 and an appendix with illustrations. (In Bulgarian)
• “St George the Triumphant and St Demetrius of Thessaloniki in the Cultural Tradition of Kievan Rus.” In Stolis Repromissionis. Saints end Sainthood in Central and Eastern Europe. Eds. А. Angusheva-Тihanova, М.Dimitrova, R. Кostova, R. Мalchev. Sofia, 2012, pp. 211–222. (In Russ.)
• “A Look at the History of Teaching Russian Folklore and Ethnology at Sofia University ‘St. Cl. Ohridski’.” Bulgarian Russian Studies, no. 1–2, 2010, pp. 170–185. Available at: http://www.actalinguistica.com/arhiv/index.php/bulrus/article/view/337/450 (In Bulgarian)
• “St George the Triumphant and St Demetrius of Thessalonikа in the Russina Folk spiritual Verses.” Christian Hagiology and Folk Beliefs. Collection in Honor of Assoc. Prof. Elena Kotseva. Ed. college: А. Miltenova, Е. Тоmova, R. Stankova. Sofia, 2008, pp.293–309. (In Bulgarian)
• “The Motif Heaven High within L. N. Tolstoy’s Novel War and Peace and its Ancient Russian Parallel.” The literary legacy of L. N. Tolstoy, 13–15, November, 2008, Istanbul, 2008, pp. 268–273. (In Russ.)
• “‘Western Fund’ Saints in the Church Slavonic Poetic Synaxariums (co-authored with H. Miklas).” Word – Spirit – Culture. Commemorative letter for Sergej S. Averincev. Published by J. Besters-Dilger, H. Miklas, G. Neweklowsky und F. B. Poljakov. Frankfurt am Main – Berlin – Bern – Bruxelles – New York – Oxford – Wien: Peter Lang / European Science Publishing House. 2007, pp. 47–125 and 483–493 (Reg.). (In Bulgarian)
• “George the Triumphant and Demetrius of Thessalonikа in the Russina in Old Russian literature.” The River of Time. Collection of Articles in Memory of Prof. Lyudmila Boeva (1931–2001). Comp. A. Vacheva and I. Chekova. Sofia, 2007, pp. 108–116. (In Russ.)
• “East Slavic Saints in Bulgarian Christian Painting.” The World of the Russian Word and the Russian Word in the World. Vol. 7. Russian Literature: History and Modernity. Proceedings of the XI Congress of the International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature. Varna, September 17–23, Varna, 2007, pp. 574–581. (In Russ.)
• “George the Triumphant and Demetrius of Thessalonikа in the Russian Folklore.” 60 Years of Russian Philology at Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski,” Collection of Scientific Articles. Еds. G. Petkovа, R. Korsemova, А. Vatchevа. Compilers А. Gradinarova, А. Lipovskа. Sofia, 2006, pp. 358–368. (In Russ.)
• “Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in Russian Folklore Tradition.” Jеws аnd Slavs. Ed. W. Moskovich and S. Schwarzband. Semiotics of Pilgrimage. Jerusalem, vol. 10, 2003, pp. 55–72. (In Russ.)
• “Epic, Myths and Mythologemes in the Oldest Chronicle of Kievan Rus.” Ruthenica. Kiev, vol. 2, 2003, pp. 85–92. Available at: http://history.org.ua/JournALL/ruthenica/2/5.pdf (In Russ.)
• “Some Problems of Hagiography and Hagiology in Bulgarian and Russian Medieval Studies.” Problems, Names and Schools in Russian Literary Studies in the 20^th Century. Comp. and Eds.: I. Zaharievа, I. Vladovа, R. Bozhankovа, G. Petkovа, А. Vatchevа и I. Chekovа. Sofia, 2003, pp. 55–63. (In Russ.)
• “The Dragon, the Prince and the Wise Virgin–Healer in the Hagiographic “Life of Petr and Fevronia of Murom.” World of Lives. Collection of conference materials (Moscow, October 3–5, 2001). Editorial board: О.V. Gladkovа, А.S. Demin, L.N.Коrobejnikovа. Мoskow, 2002, pp. 181–192. (In Russ.)
• “Genese und kommunikative Funktion der altrussischen Nestorchronik.” Тhe Medieval Chronicle II, Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on the Medieval Chronicle. Driebergen/Utrecht 16–21 July 1999. Ed. Erik Kooper. Amsterdam/ New York, NY 2002, pp.250–267. (In German)
• “Vikings and Varangian Legends in the Old Russian Monuments from the 11^th – 13th Centuries.” The Vikings – Navigators, Discoverers, Creators. Ed. E. Ruskova. Ed. Board: V. Gyuzelev, E. Mikhailov, B. Mirchev, V. Gancheva, A. Buchukovska, A.Gospodinova, M. Minkov. Sofia, 2000, pp. 131–142. (In Bulgarian)
• “Typology and Genesis of Chronicle Legends about Prince Oleg.” Bulgarian Russian Studies, no. 2, 1995, pp. 40–51. (In Russ.)
• “Word Indexes of Word Forms of Early Prologue Lives of Princess Olga.” IV Bulgarian-Polish Collection. The Traditions of Cyril and Methodius in Slavic Languages and Literature. Еd. Albert Bartuszewicz. Warsaw, 1995, pp. 167–182. (In Russ.)

Full list of works in the author’s profile on Academia.edu:

 https://uni-sofia.academia.edu/IlianaTchekova

Teaching

Associate Professor of the Department of Russian Literature Faculty of Slavic Philology, Sofia University “St. Clement Ohridski” in Bulgaria, (lecturer since 1995, associate professor from 2014 to the present);

lecturer in Bulgarian language, literature and culture at the Slavic Institute of the University of Cologne in Germany (from 2019 to the present)

At the Faculty of Slavic Philology, Sofia University lecture courses: Russian Folklore and Ethnology, Old Russian Literature, Bulgarians and Eastern Slavs - Cultural Interactions (11^th-19^th Centuries), Saints and Holiness in Slavia Orthodoxa, Semiotics of the Ruler and Power in Old Russian Literature, etc.

At the Slavic Institute of the University of Cologne lecture courses: Bulgarian language, Bulgarian literature, history and culture, etc.