Description
The project addresses growing intolerance, racism and hate speech in Bulgaria targeted at foreigners. The project aims at provoking a broad public debate to promote greater tolerance and integration. First, 40-50 foreigners of different age, nationality and background will be selected to have their stories and photos taken. Second, the foreigners will take part in photo sessions at emblematic Bulgarian locations. Third, 40-50 interviews will be held with the foreigners and they will share their personal stories, expectations and problems in Bulgaria. Next, the photos and interviews will be prepared for an exhibition. Finally, exhibitions and discussions will be organized in 4 large cities of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Bourgas attended by all the stakeholders. The project will benefit the integration of all foreigners residing in Bulgaria, as well as related NGOs, institutions and the public. The partner will be actively involved with field research and logistical support.
Summary of project results
The UnBulgarians focused on the image and identity of the “other” and Bulgarians against a backdrop of a growing refugee and migration crisis in Europe. The project asked important questions about the integration of foreigners in Bulgaria and stirred a debate against a background of xenophobia, racism, intolerance and hate speech in the country. The goal of the UnBulgarians was to provoke a broad public and media debate to change the discourse targeted at foreigners including asylum seekers and refugees in Bulgaria. The UnBulgarians became one of the hot media topics of the summer and autumn of 2015. The opening of the five exhibitions under the project and the launch of its website coincided with the increase of the refugee influx. That made the UnBulgarians a popular topic that caused a broad public and media discussion. The UnBulgarians was presented in planned exhibitions in five Bulgarian cities with its website and a bilingual catalogue with 2000 copies in circulation. The exhibitions attracted more than 500 visitors, the website had more than 22 000 unique visitors and the Facebook coverage had more than 100 000 responses. The project was covered in more than 60 articles of national and regional printed an electronic media. The exhibition was also presented in Strasbourg due to the initiative of the Institute of Culture with the Ministry of Interior. The exhibition was hosted by the Permanent Representation of Bulgarian in Strasbourg and the mayor’s office. For more information:
http://multikulti.bg/unbulgarians/indexen.html
Summary of bilateral results