Category Archives: Bulgaria

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

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Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

The rise of neo-Nazi groups in Bulgaria, particularly the ‘Blood and Honor’ club, and their connections to a broader culture of ethnic nationalism and authoritarianism is discussed in both articles.

It highlights incidents of violence linked to these groups, including attacks on minorities and the normalization of extremist ideologies in society.

The authors argues that the current political climate in Bulgaria fosters an environment where such ideologies can thrive, often under the guise of patriotism and strength.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Blood and Honour

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Blood and Honour

The organization “Blood and Honour” has been raging in Plovdiv for a long time. They were involved in violent pogroms against Roma as early as 2013 and the activist of “Blood and Honor” Ivaylo Kolev says that the organization has also been leading the torchlight procession against the Neuilly Treaty for at least eight years. They are against the “islamisation” of Europe.

Despite a petition from locals to ban the organization, which has been outlawed in several countries, it continues to operate in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Protest

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Bulgaria: Protest

Todor Davidov, known as Gringo, led a protest in the Roma neighborhood of Aytos, demanding better living conditions and infrastructure.

Protesters are advocating for improved roads and public transport access, citing the nearest bus stop is 500 meters away.

The protest has sparked public debate regarding the payment of local taxes by the families in the area and the legality of the houses in the neighborhood. In many of the Roma neighbourhoods, Roma are accused of having built illegally, even when their houses stood for a very long time. This is used to close and dismantle some of these neighbourhoods.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe North Macedonia

Dzansever Dalipova

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Dzansever Dalipova

Renowned singer Djansever Dalipova passed away in Essen, Germany, at the age of 59 after battling leukemia and undergoing a critical bone marrow transplant surgery.

The 59-year-old artist was known for her unique performances in arabesque and Romani music, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable songs.

Dalipova’s health issues included losing an eye at a young age and being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, but she made a significant comeback in her music career after a major surgery in 2009.

Djansever’s funeral is expected to take place in North Macedonia, with details yet to be finalized; she is remembered for her resilience and significant contributions to music despite her health struggles.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Another Brawl …

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Another Brawl …

The Biulgarian police are investigating a mass brawl between two Roma families in the village of Doctor Yosifovo, near Montana in Bulgarian. where a 19-year-old sustained moderate injuries. The incident occurred on Tuesday after a dispute, with a 20-year-old man reportedly inflicting the injuries.

The boulevard press is highlighting these fights on a regular basis, and this is bad. Bad that they happen, and bad, that this is becoming associated with Roma.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

LGBTQ+ and a song

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LGBTQ+ and a song

A controversy has erupted around Azis’s new song “Mangava tu” due to the use of the phrase “aman от pedali,” which has been criticized as homophobic by LGBTQ+ communities.

Critics argue that Azis, who is openly gay, is normalizing hate speech against sexual minorities, while supporters claim he is using a term familiar within the gay community.

Drag queen Malina Yank defended Azis, stating that within the LGBTQ+ community, such terms can be used among members without malice, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression even if it may offend some.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Really?

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Really?

A municipal councilor in Sofia, Carlos Kontrera, proposed to immediately stop public transport lines in Roma neighborhoods following a violent incident involving a bus in the ‘Hristo Botev’ area, predominantly inhabited by Roma.

Kontrera claims that previous measures to shorten the bus route reduced incidents of vandalism, and he plans to propose further restrictions on the bus line.

He emphasizes that public transport is not a given for those who vandalize and suggests that stricter measures, including police presence, are necessary in these areas.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

Several articles about a brawl among Roma families in Vurshitz, Bulgaria. Apparently this ivolved a large group of Roma but only resulted in one person sustaining a cut on its arm.

According to the articles, the police prevented a worse outcome.

Additional police units were deployed to maintain public order, and those involved in the fight were detained for up to 24 hours while an investigation was initiated.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Filipovtsi

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Filipovtsi

The Roma neighbourhood of Filipovtsi in Sofia, Bulgaria, saw the destruction of several buldings (deemed illegal) and resulted in a plethora of articles in the Bulgarian press.

25 “illegal” agricultural structures were demolished by the municipality, leading to the removal of over 40 horses, which caused tension between residents and journalists.

Apparently some journalists were attacked and injured.

Local authorities emphasized that the operation targeted only illegal structures on private land and would not affect residential buildings.

Roma residents expressed concern over the removal of the horses, which they rely on for income, and dissatisfaction with the cleanup of debris left after the demolition.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma Teachers

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Roma Teachers

The shortage of teachers is a significant challenge for the educational system, but a new initiative is helping young people find careers in education.

The initiative “Teacher in My Community” has enabled twenty young individuals of Roma descent to graduate and many are now working in education.

The program identifies high-achieving students in small towns, supports their education, and facilitates internships in kindergartens to ensure they are employed after graduation.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Illegal Settlement

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Illegal Settlement

Residents of the Poduene district in Sofia are complaining about an illegal Roma settlement and severe living conditions near the Hadji Dimitar metro station, with local authorities ignoring the issue.

The area has been plagued by waste, fires, and aggressive stray dogs, despite numerous complaints to the district administration led by Mayor Kristian Hristov.

Citizens have filed a lawsuit against the local government for their inaction regarding the deteriorating conditions in the public property designated for green space and community use.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

“Illegal”

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“Illegal”

A new operation to remove so-called “illegal constructions” in the Roma neighborhood “Lozenets” in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, has been scheduled, with over 400 illegal structures already removed.

The regional governor emphasized the need for coordination among institutions and the importance of humane execution of the removal process, despite the legal obligations.

Social services have reported that some residents have expressed a desire for municipal housing, but no applications for temporary accommodation have been submitted yet.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stara Zagora

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Stara Zagora

The municipality of Stara Zagora has postponed the demolition of around 30 illegal homes in the Lozenets neighborhood, primarily inhabited by Roma, for the second time, following calls from the Bulgarian Ombudsman and Amnesty International for a reassessment of the situation of affected families.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of adequate social assessments and the potential health risks for vulnerable individuals, including children and those with chronic illnesses, if the demolitions proceed without proper alternative housing arrangements.

The local government has been criticized for not conducting thorough evaluations of the impact on residents, particularly regarding the needs of children and people with disabilities, before enforcing the demolitions.

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.

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