Category Archives: Bulgaria

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/
Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma Leaders

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Roma Leaders

The Third Summit of Roma Leaders in Sofia focuses on unity, leadership, and a European future, organized by the United Roma Communities and the International Roma Union.

Leaders emphasize the need to move beyond merely identifying problems faced by the Roma community and instead propose solutions, seeking collaboration with Bulgarian institutions.

A declaration was presented at the forum advocating for equality, dignity, and active participation of the Roma community in society, highlighting the importance of dialogue and respect for differences.

  • Ромски лидери от различни държави се събраха в София на среща под надслов „Единство, лидерство и европейско бъдеще“. In: BTA. 09.2026. https://www.bta.bg/bg/videos/39718
Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Tensions

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Tensions

In the village of Zidarovo, Bulgaria, a small group of local Roma is accused of vandalism and public disorder, raising concerns about ethnic tensions in the community. Mayor Hristo Bardukov shared video evidence of the incidents, highlighting the aggressive behavior and the potential for escalating ethnic conflict.

Despite police intervention, the perpetrators were reportedly released quickly, prompting Bardukov to question the effectiveness of law enforcement and the need for community awareness.

Bad…

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Loan Sharks

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Loan Sharks

Dozens of families in the “Druzhba” neighborhood protested against loan sharks from CASH&GO after a Roma man was brutally beaten for failing to repay a loan.

Despite police presence, authorities focused on dispersing the protesters rather than pursuing the assailants, leading to frustration among the community.

The article highlights systemic issues with predatory lending practices and calls for government intervention to prevent further violence and unrest.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Summit of Roma Leaders

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Summit of Roma Leaders

Roma leaders from various countries gathered in Sofia for the Third Summit of Roma Leaders, focusing on unity, leadership, and a European future.

The event aimed to shift the narrative from merely identifying problems to proposing solutions for the Roma community, emphasizing collaboration with Bulgarian institutions.

A declaration was to be approved, advocating for dignity, rights, and active participation of the Roma community in society, highlighting the importance of education and mutual respect.

Among the forum’s guests were Dimitar Petrov, an MP from “Progressive Bulgaria”; Kirsti Pohjankukka, Ambassador of Finland to the Republic of Bulgaria; Alexander Daško, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Roma Communities; Zoran Dimov, President of the International Romani Union (only of one of the three IRUs); István Aba-Horváth, a representative from Hungary; Renata Ronková, Commissioner for Integration and Migration (IRU Germany); Goran Goranov; Zsolt Nagy, an expert from Hungary; Elizabeta Janković from Serbia; and various academics.

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

World Roma Congress

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World Roma Congress

Sofia will host a summit of Roma leaders from the Western Balkans and Europe in October, focusing on a new model of European Roma leadership. It lists itself at the 15th World Roma congress. Older organisations such as the International Romani Union (IRU) are, as far as we know not attending.

Zlatko Mladenov, the coordinator of the international meeting, emphasizes the need for Roma leaders to have a forward-looking vision for their community within Bulgarian society.

He criticizes the tendency to dwell on past issues and encourages leaders to propose solutions for the future instead.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Deadly Brawl

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Deadly Brawl

A violent clash between two families in Sungurlare (Burgas, Bulgaria) resulted in one death and four injuries, with the incident occurring on Ivan Vazov Street.

Eight individuals with criminal records have been detained. The altercation occurred around 9 PM at a house on Ivan Vazov Street, stemming from long-standing disputes related to horses.

The injured include a 65-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy, both in stable condition, while a 45-year-old man died en route to the hospital.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Mahala Beats

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Mahala Beats

Mahala Beats is a collaborative project aimed at empowering young Roma in the Nadejda neighborhood of Sliven, Bulgaria, through media education and music, addressing issues of trust, representation, and resilience against misinformation.

The project includes workshops that engage participants as active producers of content, exploring local narratives and misinformation, culminating in the creation of music and video productions.

The initiative seeks to foster critical thinking and community engagement, ultimately aiming to reshape the narrative around Roma identity and representation in the public discourse.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Child Abduction?

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Child Abduction?

A strange story in Ukraine of a possible abduction by Roma of a two years old child. This sounds very much like one of the stereotypes attributed to Roma. It is also unclear from the article whether the child is or is not Rom…

Bad journalism and stereotypes.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Boni

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Boni

The Bulgarian singer Bony openly discusses early marriages and the need for young people to have real choices about their futures, emphasizing that family should be a conscious choice rather than a predetermined fate.

She connects the issue of early marriages to education, urging parents to support their children’s education instead of pushing them into family life and work too early.

Bony calls for broader institutional support for young families, including access to healthcare, quality education, and opportunities in various fields, advocating for stability as a tangible reality rather than just a political promise.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Illegal?

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Illegal?

The European Court of Human Rights condemned Bulgaria for demolishing the homes of 56 Roma individuals in 2023, ruling it violated their right to a home and personal life.

The court highlighted systemic issues in Bulgarian law that allow for the removal of homes without proper legal checks, emphasizing the need for legislative reform.

The actions of local authorities were criticized as collective punishment and a deliberate attempt to deny individuals their legal rights, particularly affecting marginalized communities.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

ECHR on Bulgaria

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ECHR on Bulgaria

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled against Bulgaria for demolishing a Roma settlement on the outskirts of Sofia in August 2023, violating the right to private and family life of the residents.

56 individuals affected by the demolition filed a complaint, and the court found Bulgaria in violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but not in violation of Articles 3 and 14 regarding torture and discrimination.

The ECHR awarded each complainant €10,000 in damages, totaling €560,000, along with €18,000 for legal costs to be paid by Bulgaria.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Blood and Honour

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Blood and Honour

After the arrest of the killers from the Youth Hill in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and the operation of the National Anti-Terrorism Service and the Directorate of the Bulgarian Anti-Terrorism Service in the den of “Blood and Honor”, it was established that this is a large network of minors and juveniles. They are trained to intimidate, harass and rape specific groups of people who have been targeted in advance.

Photos of gypsies were found in two of the phones, who are believed to have been targeted for a future action. According to media reports, before the victim Georgi Kuzev, the killers from the Youth Hill had attacked another victim.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Demolitions

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Demolitions

The mayor of Stara Zagora, Zhivko Todorov, has demolished the last 20 illegal houses in the Roma neighborhood of Lozenets, claiming they cannot be legalized as they are built on state forest land.

The local government has faced criticism for not addressing illegal constructions in other areas, particularly those owned by influential individuals, highlighting a perceived bias in enforcement.

The article discusses the ongoing marginalization of the Roma community, the lack of effective integration policies, and the need for a more humane approach to their housing issues.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Murder Case

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Murder Case

A brutal murder occurred in the town of Sŭedinenie, Plovdiv. The victim is a 21-year-old Rom and the perpetrator is a former police officer.

The victim had a history of criminal behavior, primarily theft, and was known to have mental health issues, which complicated his legal situation. The deceased, Mitko, had a history of robbing former police officer Todor Lapkov, who ultimately killed him after a confrontation over a theft.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

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Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian police raides a private club associated with the international neo-Nazi organization “Blood and Honour” in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The organisation is connected to nationalism and recent violent events.

Boryan Rasate, a nationalist figure, expresses disdain for the media’s portrayal of the incident, arguing that the focus on a few Nepalese individuals being attacked overshadows the daily violence faced by Bulgarians.

Rasate claims that the actions of the youth involved in a recent murder were not premeditated but rather a result of youthful recklessness, criticizing the media for sensationalizing the events and diverting attention from more pressing issues in society.

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.

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