The new idea behind Sofia
January 2007 was a historical time: Bulgaria passed several preconditions to join the European Union, of which some standards - organised crime and corruption - have famously not been met since. When five cafebabel European journalists travelled to Sofia in November 2009, their own preconditions were surpassed by a booming generation of artists, social entrepreneurs and media types who prevail in a climate of crisis and tradition. Add to that the growth of an idealistic political youth and a forward-looking ethnic minority, and it becomes clear why three years on, this city is an eclectic EU capital for the future. After Turin, read the second of our ‘EU crisis on the ground’ monthly cities special edition from the Balkans
The 'M' word: breaking the Bulgarian complex
In January 2009, Sofia’s then-mayor and current PM banned anti-government protests after citizen disillusion with the country’s corruption; Bulgaria is officially the poorest EU state, according to Transparency International. One year on, the remnants of a ‘protest culture’ lie in the urban, cultural and mediatic fragmentation of a society rooted in tradition, the past - and the mafia, to an extent
art, music, journalism, protest, youth, media, sofia, communism, violence, corruption, mafia, cities, best of cafebabel.com
What crisis? Scouring for entrepreneurs in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s GDP growth slowed, but nowhere close to the levels noted west of Sofia. The new coalition government has inherited nearly empty treasury coffers from the previous 'corrupt' administration. In the European Year of Innovation 2009, funding for start-ups was cut. Yet stories of determination prevail. Part three in a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series
money, business man, youth, labour, employment, economical crisis, society, cities
‘Many people in Bulgaria are left-wing - but don’t dare to say it’
With only 18% of the vote in the last legislative elections in September 2009, the Bulgarian socialist party (BSP) is nowadays a rather sluggish opposition. Its leaders, nostalgic former communists, are joined on the left of the political spectrum by youngsters with ideas and dreams. Part two in a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series
youth, left-wing, communism, extremism, politics, best of cafebabel.com
Sofia's directors and playwrights boom despite barebone budgets
In Bulgaria there are no cultural policy programmes and the crisis has consumed the ministry coffers. Filmmakers like Kamen Kalev, playwrights and other creative minds demand government transparency and methods to support their enterprising spirit. Part one of a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series
art, theatre, youth, contemporary art, sofia, culture, economical crisis, cinema, europe on the ground, best of cafebabel.com
