Category Archives: Bulgaria

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Baro Bjav

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Baro Bjav

The Bulgarian pop-folk star Boni has released a new project titled “Big Wedding,” showcasing the traditions and culture of the Roma people in Bulgaria and beyond.

The music video premiered on her official channel and emphasizes themes of love, family, and unity through music.

Boni expressed gratitude to all contributors and her hometown of Sliven, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the project.

https://youtu.be/ekaIkAfJctI

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stara Zagora

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Stara Zagora

Marin Tihomirov, a member of the Bulgarian parliament, called for assistance from relevant institutions regarding the demolition of Roma homes in Stara Zagora, affecting over 30 families.

He emphasized the need for a clear plan for the relocation of these families and criticized the lack of a humane solution, urging the government to respect human rights.

Tihomirov appealed to all parliamentary groups to responsibly address the issue and highlighted the historical neglect of Roma communities despite previous integration efforts and funding.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Amnesty and Bulgaria

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Amnesty and Bulgaria

Amnesty International’s regional office in Europe has sent an open letter to the mayor of Stara Zagora, Mr. Zhivko Todorov, requesting urgent information regarding the planned eviction of Roma families in the Lozenets neighborhood on July 22, 2026.

The letter expresses concerns about the lack of proper notice and the potential impact on approximately 64 Roma individuals, including children and elderly people, who may be affected by the eviction.

Amnesty International is seeking clarification on the municipality’s assessment of the situation, alternatives to eviction, and measures for providing adequate housing for those affected.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

No Water

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No Water

Residents of the Roma neighborhood “Kremikovtsi” in Garmen have been without water for over two months after the local government cut off supply due to illegal housing and unpaid bills.

For six years, water was supplied from the drinking water pipeline of Garmen, but issues with unpaid bills and deliberate damages led to the service being terminated.

The situation has escalated to regional authorities and political parties, prompting a swift political response.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgarian Elections

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Bulgarian Elections

Boyko Borisov, leader of GERB, predicts that the Roma community will overwhelmingly support the Progressive Bulgaria party in the upcoming presidential elections, citing their influence over the voting process.

He expresses skepticism about the ability of other political parties to compete fairly under the current voting system, which he claims is controlled by the Ministry of Interior. Borisov criticizes the current government budget, calling it deceptive and suggesting that the administration is artificially lowering revenue projections despite high inflation leading to increased tax income.

Would be nicer if he were using ‘Roma’ instead of “цигани” in some of these articles, and not be so dismissive as to assume that all Roma will vote en block for his party.

  • Борисов за президентския вот: Ромският вот ще е изцяло за Прогресивна България. In: Flagman. 19.07.2026. https://www.flagman.bg/article/386096
Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgarian Brawl

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Bulgarian Brawl

Yes another brawl between Roma families in Bulgaria. Really bad.

Seventeen individuals were detained following tensions between two Roma families in the “Iztoch” neighborhood of Dimitrovgrad.

The families had a longstanding feud that resulted in periodic conflicts, culminating in a physical altercation at a local hospital.

One person was injured and later released for home treatment, while police intervened to prevent further escalation of the violence in the area.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Returning

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Returning

A podcast features Shener Rahimov discussing his decision to return to Bulgaria after nearly eight years in Germany, highlighting the challenges he faced abroad and his belief in positive thinking.

He reflects on the changes within the Roma community, noting increased education and openness among the youth, and emphasizes the importance of not letting others’ opinions dictate one’s life.

Shener shares his new professional goal of becoming a photographer and visual storyteller, expressing that life in the West is not as appealing as it once seemed.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Loud Wedding

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Loud Wedding

A large wedding with 1,300 guests in a school yard in Vidin has prompted police investigations into the legality of the event and the source of funding, following numerous noise complaints from residents.

The local councilor who organized the event received permission from the mayor, which included the use of sound equipment after 10 PM, leading to public outcry due to noise disturbances.

Authorities are examining the legality of the permit and the financial aspects of the event, with ongoing inspections of municipal procedures and potential administrative accountability for officials involved.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria Brawl – Again

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Bulgaria Brawl – Again

A mass brawl involving around 100 people occurred in the village of Kŭrnare, Bulgaria, between two feuding Roma families, as reported by Nova TV. This resulted in several news articles.

Police teams quickly arrived to control the situation, where participants were throwing hard objects at each other, resulting in property damage but no serious injuries.

The atmosphere in the village is currently calm, with police patrols remaining until public order is fully restored; similar incidents have been noted in other regions recently.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

Many articles in the Bulgarian press about a fight between two Roma families in a Roma neighbourhood of Asenovgrad which involved up to 250 people, and left several wounded, including a police officer.

This is bad for all.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Begging

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Bulgaria and Begging

Plovdiv influencer Tihomov surprised his followers with an emotional video featuring two Roma children who often beg in the city. One child, 11-year-old Petko, expressed his desire to become a police officer and shared that he begs voluntarily while his parents work.

The children emphasized the importance of not stealing, highlighting a moral lesson during their conversation with the influencer.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Roma

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Bulgaria and Roma

Bulgarian Justice Minister Nikolai Naydenov presented the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups’ rights to Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, during his visit to Sofia.

Key topics discussed included the rights of elderly individuals in institutions and the rights of Roma people regarding the removal of illegal structures that serve as their homes, in line with European Court of Human Rights practices.

The Bulgarian government has implemented measures such as criminal liability for unlicensed social care homes and has made progress in legal protections against poor conditions in social institutions, as noted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Mahala Transformation

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Mahala Transformation

The neighborhood of Hadji Dimitar in Kavarna, Bulgaria, has transformed from a place associated with poverty and crime to a model of community development, attracting attention from European experts.

Former mayor Tsanko Tsonev implemented a plan that allowed residents to build legally, leading to improved living conditions and community integration.

The local kindergarten plays a crucial role in early education, helping children learn Bulgarian and fostering a positive environment for development.

https://youtu.be/9vnNBZKO19Y

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Fentanyl in Bulgaria

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Fentanyl in Bulgaria

Residents of the “Hristo Botev” neighborhood in Sofia report a severe drug problem, particularly with fentanyl, affecting local youth and leading to alarming incidents.

Community members express frustration over the lack of police action and accountability, claiming that drug use is rampant and children are becoming increasingly incapacitated.

Families are suffering from the consequences of drug addiction, with personal stories highlighting the dangers and violence associated with the drug trade in the area.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Racism

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Bulgaria: Racism

A recent incident at Grand Hotel Therme in Bulgaria has been described as a brutal act of racism, where a group of Roma individuals with confirmed reservations were denied entry and humiliated by hotel staff.

Human rights lawyers argue that this case exemplifies a clear violation of Bulgaria’s anti-discrimination laws, highlighting systemic discrimination against ethnic minorities.

The situation has prompted calls for international scrutiny and potential legal action against the hotel, as well as protests from Roma organizations and citizens against discriminatory practices in tourism.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

A Mahala against Drugs

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A Mahala against Drugs

Roma residents from the “Hristo Botev” neighborhood in Plovdiv protested against drug dealers and drug distribution in their area, demanding effective measures to combat the issue.

The demonstration, titled “No to Drugs,” highlighted concerns for the safety and health of children and young people in the Roma community.

Local residents called for more active police intervention, with support from local boxing star Boris Veliev, who emphasized the need for justice and a drug-free environment for families.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria, Crime, and Roma

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Bulgaria, Crime, and Roma

Sociologist Alexey Pamporov argues that organized crime is not exclusive to Roma communities but is a result of deep poverty and institutional neglect. He highlights that similar illegal groups exist globally in areas like Rio de Janeiro, Hamburg, and Paris, where law enforcement is often absent.

The lack of educational and job opportunities for youth leads them to be drawn into criminal activities as an easy alternative.

SociolHe also criticizes the institutional blindness towards illegal wealth, highlighting the presence of luxury cars owned by unemployed individuals without legal repercussions.

The involvement of children of high-ranking officials in criminal activities complicates justice efforts, and there are concerns about lenient sentences for offenders, which discourage victims from testifying.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Transgender

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Bulgaria and Transgender

This article alleges that the gang known as “Kalashniks” has taken control of the transgender sex work market, primarily involving Roma individuals, with many providing services for high rates.

Sources indicate that around 90% of transgender sex workers are of Roma descent, and the gang profits significantly from this operation, reportedly earning around 100,000 euros monthly. There are allegations of coercion and exploitation within the community, with concerns that many Roma gay men are forced into sex work as transgender women for the gang’s benefit.

As usual, “sources” are not named …

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

The leader of the Roma neighborhood “Kremikovtsi” in Garmen municipality, Krasi Aydarov, was hospitalized after a brawl in the area.Following the incident, police were dispatched to prevent escalation as a group of his friends and relatives gathered outside the hospital.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the clash, and the situation remains under control.

Bad

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma “Ghettoes” in Bulgaria

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Roma “Ghettoes” in Bulgaria

According to this article, Roma ghettos in Southern Bulgaria are growing, but not in the North. On June 2, the premiere of a 520-page research paper on Bulgarian Roma “Models of Roma Urban Ghettoized Structures” took place.

It is written by four Bulgarian scientists, led by Prof. Nadezhda Ilieva from the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, who over the course of 3 years have managed to count 210 Roma neighborhoods in 148 Bulgarian cities, excluding Sofia and the villages, and to track the socio-demographic processes taking place in them.

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