Category Archives: Bulgaria

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Open Heart Festival

Published by:

Open Heart Festival

The twenty-first edition of the Children’s Roma Festival “Open Heart” is being held on June 5 and 6 in Veliko Tarnovo. It officially opened on Friday at 1 pm in the “Marno Pole” park and it is  expected that about 1500 children and students will participate. In parallel with the festival program, accompanying events will be held, in which diplomats, politicians and experts will participate.

Bulgaria Germany News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Bulgarian Roma in Germany

Published by:

Bulgarian Roma in Germany

According to this Bulgarian article, there are neighbourhoods in two small German towns entirely composed of Roma from Vidin, Bulgaria. Apparntly, neighbours are not so fond, and still according to the article, “quite a few of them, together with the Romanian Roma, are involved in some criminal scheme and often have problems with the local authorities”.

No comments, apart that some actual journalistic work would be nice …

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

Published by:

Brawl in Bulgaria

Several articles in the Bulgarian press about a fiht between Roma in Berkovitsa, resulting in injuries and the arrest of several people.

Bad.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Lynch?

Published by:

Lynch?

“This mayor /of Gabrovo, ed./ should resign immediately, because I will make the children lynch her. Not the mothers, but the children.” This is what Roma pastor Petko Asenov says in a video conference call with his followers, petel.bg reports. In the video, Petko Asenov claims that before demanding Hristova’s resignation, he spoke with the Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev, from whom he also asks the mayor of Gabrovo to submit resignation. And he threatens the minister to call for large protests by Roma in the city.”This mayor /of Gabrovo, ed./ should resign immediately, because I will make the children lynch her. Not the mothers, but the children.” This is what Roma pastor Petko Asenov says in a video conference call with his followers, petel.bg reports. In the video, Petko Asenov claims that before demanding Hristova’s resignation, he spoke with the Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev, from whom he also asks the mayor of Gabrovo to submit resignation. And he threatens the minister to call for large protests by Roma in the city.

Bad.

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria Anti-Roma Rhetoric

Published by:

Bulgaria Anti-Roma Rhetoric

The European Court of Human Rights sided with Roma activists and journalists who argued national courts treated racist political rhetoric too narrowly while ignoring its wider impact on an entire minority community.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

World Roma Congress

Published by:

World Roma Congress

Scholarships for Roma students and a policy against hate speech will be part of the proposals of the Fifteenth World Roma Congress – Sofia ’26 Scholarships for Roma students and a policy against hate speech will be part of the proposals Congress in Sofia.

Bulgaria Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Arranged Marriages

Published by:

Arranged Marriages

An article on the still existing practice of arranges marrianges among Roma in Montenegro. Apparently, 17 cases of human trafficking were recorded in this context between 2020 and 2026 by the police.

The tradition of paying for the bride only exists among Vlach Roma and is probably due to the prevalence of slavery agianst Roma in Romanian lands. The owner of the bride had to be compensated.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Petition

Published by:

Bulgaria: Petition

A petition is circulating in Bulgaria requesting that only Bulgarian literature be taught in primary schools. They state that foreign literature can be studied later, once “children already have a solid national foundation”. In the case of Bulgaria, this is somewhat ironical, as Turks, Armenians, Roma, Greeks, and many others are part of the country and its history…

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

XV Congress

Published by:

XV Congress

A press release announcing that Sofia will host the XV World Roma Congress, which will be held in the period 29–31 October 2026. The event is organized by the Association “United Civic Initiatives – OGI E ROMENGO” with chairman and main organizer Toma Mladenov.

According to the organisers, Delegations from over 40 countries are expected to participate, as well as representatives of international institutions such as the UN, the Council of Europe and the European Union. The forum is expected to be one of the most significant international events related to the Roma community in recent years.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN