Category Archives: Bulgaria

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Desegregation?

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Desegregation?

The regional council for ethnic and integration issues in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria,  will discuss the desegregation of minorities, following a meeting between local officials and the Amalipe Center leadership.

Key topics include school retention for children, overcoming segregation, preventing youth aggression, and addressing early marriages, with a report to be presented to the government based on expert opinions.

The Amalipe Center is actively working with schools and conducting a mental health survey among minority representatives, while advocating for civic engagement and addressing the lack of political representation for Roma and minorities since 2009.

  • Областна администрация и “Амалипе” с инициатива срещу сегрегацията в региона. In: Borbag. 19.10.2026. https://www.borbabg.com/2026/10/19/oblastna-administratsiya-i-amalipe/
  • Областният съвет за етнически и интеграционни въпроси във Велико Търново ще обсъди десегрегацията на малцинствата в региона. In: Utro Ruse. 189.10.2026.https://utroruse.com/amp/1328681/
Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Vote Buying?

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Bulgaria: Vote Buying?

Roma in Ruse were reportedly offered around 300 euros per vote during the elections.

Their leader, Varban Varbanov, organized a protest to alert authorities about political pressure and threats he received from a local party representative.

Varbanov claims that intermediaries were pressuring him to influence the Roma community to vote for a specific presidential candidate pair in the upcoming elections.

https://youtu.be/tucKgTBIVmU

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgarian Presidential Election

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Bulgarian Presidential Election

According to the Bulgarian press and a large number of articles, measures are being taken to ensure free voting for citizens in the upcoming presidential elections, as stated by the acting chief secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Lyubomir Nikolov.

Efforts are focused on combating vote buying, with 140 police operations conducted primarily in Roma neighbourhoods, resulting in two pre-trial proceedings. There are widely shared views that votes canm be bought in Roma neighbourhoods.

The Ministry is also monitoring cyber threats closely, particularly on election day, and is investigating a recent arson incident involving Starlink antennas near Sofia.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Theatre

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Theatre

The theater group “Stolivud” in the multicultural neighborhood of Stolipinovo aims to promote tolerance and unity through art, featuring members from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Bulgarians, Roma, Turks, and others.

Their upcoming performance, “Missed Call,” will explore the five stages of grief and is set for November 13, 2026, at the State Puppet Theater in Plovdiv, with a charitable focus on helping homeless cats.

The group emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges and using theater as a means to foster community connections and positive change.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Child Marriage

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Child Marriage

Zlatka V., a 16-year-old Romni from Plovdiv, shares her traumatic experience of being sold into marriage at 14, highlighting the issue of child brides in Bulgaria and the lack of awareness about International Day of the Girl.

UNICEF reports that over 70 million girls are sold into marriage annually, with many more in unregistered unions, particularly among the Roma community in Bulgaria.

The article emphasizes the rising violence against girls in schools, domestic abuse, and the need for more attention to the plight of girls beyond just one day of recognition each year.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Education in Bulgaria

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Education in Bulgaria

The municipality of Montana is continuing its project for the educational desegregation and integration of Roma children for the fourth consecutive year, funded by a national program from the Ministry of Education and Science.

Five partner schools will provide free transportation and educational materials to 222 students from the ‘Kosharnik’ neighborhood, along with the appointment of an educational mediator to support school-family connections.

Various activities throughout the school year, including sports events, workshops, and literary readings, will involve both the children and their parents, with additional training planned for the parents.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stolipinovo Demolitions

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Stolipinovo Demolitions

Authorities in Plovdiv are continuing their crackdown on illegal construction in the Stolipinovo Roma neighborhood, which has been linked to drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.

The police have begun by demolishing a large illegal fence and are increasing drug checks in the area, which has a notorious reputation for drug distribution.

Senior Commissioner Vasil Kostadinov emphasized the need for law enforcement and construction regulations to combat crime effectively in Stolipinovo, where three individuals have been arrested for fentanyl distribution.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Forced Evictions

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Forced Evictions

The forced eviction of Roma families from their homes in Bulgaria leads to severe long-term consequences, worsening social isolation and vulnerability, especially for children.

A report by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee highlights that 90% of eviction orders since 2012 target Roma homes, despite widespread illegal construction across all ethnic groups.

The report calls for legislative changes to ensure protections against arbitrary evictions and emphasizes the need for social housing policies and training for authorities on housing rights.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Dimitar Georgiev

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Dimitar Georgiev

Dimitar Georgiev is a Roma activist, filmmaker, and producer known for his work on Roma rights and culture.

He is a co-founder of the ‘Human Rights Project’ and has participated in initiatives aimed at protecting civil rights and combating discrimination.

Georgiev discusses the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Roma community in Europe, highlighting the work of French director Tony Gatlif.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Manifestation

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Manifestation

Residents of the “Iztok” Roma neighbourhood in Kyustendil—home to 15,000 people—organized a “Say No to Drugs!” protest. Locals report a rising number of drug addicts, including entire families, as well as an increase in fatalities. The protesters called for institutional intervention to ensure more neighborhood residents are enrolled in drug rehabilitation programs.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Kostadin Kostadinov

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Kostadin Kostadinov

Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the political party ‘Vazrazhdane’ and presidential candidate, attended a peaceful protest in the Sofia neighborhood of Lyulin, organized by local residents.

The protest was in response to illegal Roma communities causing disturbances, including harassment and public disorder, affecting the residents’ quality of life and had nothing to do with the protest from Roma about loan sharks.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

King Credit

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King Credit

A gang known as King Credit in the “Lyulin” Roma neighbourhood in Sofia is reportedly terrorizing the local Roma population by offering small loans with exorbitant interest rates, leading to violence and threats of murder when debts are unpaid.

Victims have shared harrowing accounts of physical abuse, public humiliation, and threats to their lives, indicating a systematic pattern of exploitation targeting the most vulnerable individuals.

Authorities have received multiple reports about King Credit’s activities, and there is a growing movement among the community to speak out against these abuses.

Bulgaria France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Bulgarian Roma in France

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Bulgarian Roma in France

The Bulgarian Roma community in Moissac, France, is in conflict with local authorities, primarily due to issues of integration and social welfare abuse, as highlighted by Mayor Romain Lopez (Rassemblement National – an extreme right party).

The mayor has increased police presence and surveillance to control gatherings of the community, while community members feel targeted and discriminated against, claiming they must hide their origins to find work.

Tensions are rising as the local population perceives the Bulgarian community as a burden on social services, with some locals preferring workers from other countries, and the upcoming presidential elections may further exacerbate these issues.

Bulgaria France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Bulgaria Exhibition

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Bulgaria Exhibition

The French Institute of Bulgaria is hosting the launch of the exhibition “Sillages” on October 8, 2026, which focuses on the history and presence of Romani communities in France, featuring discussions with experts Cécile Canut and Ognyan Isaev.

The exhibition, designed by the National Museum of Immigration History in Paris, aims to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of these communities to French society and the stereotypes they face.

The event will include discussions in French and Bulgarian, with simultaneous interpretation, and will explore the narratives surrounding Romani communities and the impact of misinformation on their representation.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

“Between Days, Between Nights”

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“Between Days, Between Nights”

The documentary film “Between Days, Between Nights” premiered at the French Institute in Bulgaria as part of the Sofia Documental festival and is competing for the best Bulgarian documentary film award.

The film chronicles the life of Stefka Nikolova in the Sliven neighborhood “Nadezhda” from 2007 to 2022, providing an intimate look at a community marked by poverty, isolation, and segregation.

The discussion includes insights from Roma activist Dimitar Georgiev, who shares his perspective on history, cultural identity, and the role of Roma in contemporary society.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stolipinovo

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Stolipinovo

Stolipinovo, the Roma Mahla in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is often viewed negatively. Local activist Georgi Kochev aims to change perceptions through guided tours that showcase the area’s culture and traditions.

The tours, inspired by American content creator Drew Binsky’s visit, highlight the unique experiences and vibrant life of the Roma community, challenging stereotypes.

Kochev envisions a future for Stolipinovo with improved living conditions and green spaces, emphasizing the importance of community support and positive change.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl

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Brawl

A violent conflict erupted in Nanov, Teleorman, involving two Roma families who clashed with bats and swords after a traffic dispute.

Video footage shows individuals attacking a car, causing damage and using weapons, indicating the severity of the confrontation.

The altercation stemmed from a longstanding dispute over property, exacerbated by recent traffic provocations, and occurred in the middle of the road, endangering others.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Theatre

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Theatre

On September 18, 2026, the International Youth Center in Ruse hosted a youth theater event featuring forum theater, where Romanian youth presented social issues to a Bulgarian audience through improvised performances.

The plot focused on the experiences of a young Roma girl facing betrayal, stereotypes, corruption, and exclusion, intertwining with European values and contemporary issues faced by European citizens.

The initiative aimed to foster dialogue, tolerance, and active civic participation among youth from Bulgaria and Romania, emphasizing the rights and values of European citizens.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Nice but …

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Nice but …

The project “Bridge of Colors: Uniting Cultures through Creativity and Knowledge” has commenced in Shumen, aimed at fostering interaction among children from various ethnic backgrounds through creative activities.

The project, funded by the Education Program 2021-2027, involves five kindergartens and aims to create an inclusive educational environment over a 24-month period.

Activities will include workshops, excursions, and a “Friendship Festival” to showcase the traditions and crafts of different ethnic groups, with parental involvement emphasized throughout the project.

What is the outcome?

  • Започна изпълнението на проекта “Мост от цветове: Съединяваме култури чрез творчество и знание”, каза зам.-кметът на Шумен Даниела Русева. In: Utro Ruse. 24.09.2026. https://utroruse.com/article/1321146/
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