The article presents an analysis of the changes in the Roma’s socio-cultural status during the post-communist period. It is disclosed how social exclusion of the Roma ethnic community took place in all major social spheres during the whole period. Spatial and social isolation of the Roma in relation to the rest of the Bulgarian citizens are presented and the concomitant risks of both types of isolation and exclusion.

The article analyzes the issue of Roma poverty and the possible ways for its quantification. In the introductory part, the author presents the basic concepts and approaches to the definition of poverty, then applies them to the Roma using the data on the status of Roma households from surveys conducted by UNDP, the World Bank and the European Commission. The author concludes that multidimensional indicators are more appropriate for tracking the multi-dimensional phenomenon of Roma poverty. In the third part the article tests an indicator that integrates the main aspects of Roma poverty and allows for highlighting the quantitative contribution of each dimension of deprivation to the overall „poverty and social exclusion outcome.“ The author concludes that the proposed method is particularly relevant for the purposes of current policies aimed to tackle poverty among the Roma.

This paper is an attempt to analyse, diagnose and provide general recommendations concerning the Roma-related problems in the educational system of the Republic of Bulgaria from the standpoint of an external to the country analyst. Besides purely educational and ethnic issues, particular factors that create the context in which function and develop the educational system and interethnic relations after the 1989 changes are presented. Major challenges facing the education system and the associated with the Roma community issues (for example, reducing the share of Roma in the higher classes of secondary school), the necessary/pending reforms and current policies are discussed. A review of what has happened so far is also made.

This article presents results of work, conducted within an international research project CITISPYCE – combating inequalities through innovative social practices of, and for, young people in cities across Europe. The research work was conducted in Fakulteta and Hristo Botev – two of the most marginalised and socio-economically deprived neighbourhoods in Sofia with an above average share of young people. The socio-economic status of two areas is presented, and the available social infrastructure relating to employment, education, health care, social assistance, leisure, culture, and religion is analysed. The focus is on the social inequalities affecting the young people in Fakulteta and Hristo Botev, and the available innovative social programmes and projects combating these inequalities.

The article deals with some social and economic drivers of demographic change in Bulgaria. Migration of socially vulnerable groups which represents a significant proportion of overall migration can be explained by a failure of basic mechanisms of solidarity in society. Redistributive solidarity at the level of the whole society and solidarity between generations are given as an example. The case of using the EU funds in Bulgaria illustrates inequality generating territorial distribution, which cannot but reinforce migration to more urbanized regions within Bulgaria and emigration. The result is massive loss of working age generations and rapid ageing of the population. In the last section a modified simulation of income distribution in an artificial society and real empirical distributions of incomes in Bulgaria are used to illustrate some possible effects of ageing on poverty and inequality. The key conclusion is that Bulgaria needs to rethink its policies designed to serve a young, homogenous and self-reliant society. Bulgarian society is shaped by rather disruptive demographic forces generating inequality and ageing, which require a much stronger emphasis on solidarity.

Do Roma people migrate abroad for the sole purpose to abuse generous social systems in wealthy countries? This is a major issue discussed in the present paper. It becomes more and more relevant in a situation of fear from the waves of immigrants in many European host countries, and in particular the panic caused by the Roma immigrants from CEE countries. The attractiveness of host countries has been investigated from potential migrants’ standpoint, i.e. in terms of what people know and understand when they decide to migrate. Pro and con arguments are given via examining the subjective perceptions, attitudes and expectations vis-à-vis declared intentions for future migration. The latter were verified in terms of the declared values, level of satisfaction in different life aspects and life strategies that the respondents opted for.

The article presents research results concerning the Roma migrations from Bulgaria to Belgium and their economic and welfare dimensions. Important factors concerning Roma’s motivation to leave their home country (Bulgaria) and search for better life and opportunities in another EU host country (Belgium) are explored and discussed. Roma’s contribution to Belgium’s economy and welfare system are also discussed and analysed from sociological perspective.

The paper presents the qualitative research results on the impact of gender in the Roma community. Issues concerning to the place of Roma women in the family and community, traditional practices with respect to Roma women and their social status and the opportunities they have are in the very focus of the analysis. Opportunities through which Roma women can improve your life choices are also examined. The study discusses practices, status and opportunities of representatives from four types of groups that vary in their degree of economic, social, cultural, etc. development and integration into the Bulgarian society.

Pilot survey results concerning the Roma representations in the district of Razgrad are presented and discussed in the paper. The survey was conducted in late 2012 and the results show that for the last few years ethnic relations in the district of Razgrad have normalised and eased. The proportion of those who perceive as a problem the percentage of the minorities in Bulgaria has decreased since the early 1990s. First signs of a transition from traditional to modern forms of racisms (e.g. the latent racism) were detected in the study.

This article focuses on the heterodox religious practices among the Roma population in Bulgaria, which still exist today but became “invisible” about the mainstream society due to the institutional marginalization of Alevi Islam in the country. Because there are no large and institutionally recognized Alevi communities, as well as due to the lack of multicultural education, in Bulgaria such practices are received with derision and labelled as “Gypsy (i.e. low quality) thing”. As a matter of fact, it is a domestic syncretic fusion between Alevi Islam and some local folklore Christian practices.

The article discusses the changes in the lives of the Roma population during the period 1944-1989. Roma’s education, work (employment) and housing issues are thoroughly construed in terms of state policies aiming at changes in their lives. The results and consequences from the implemented policies during forty-five-year period are also critically assessed and analysed.

The article presents a document research of archives that provide information about the nature of assimilation policies against Roma during the period 1950-1980. A number of measures focused on members of the Roma minority and related to their self-determination, education, labor and so forth are analysed and discussed in detail. Successes and failures of various measures and policies during period under discussion are also critically analysed.

According to the Tărnovo Constitution and Bulgaria’s military legislation, Gypsies in the Principality of Bulgaria (1878-1908) and the Tsardom of Bulgaria (1908-1947) served in the Army as all other subjects of Bulgaria. During the Balkan War (1912-1913) mobilisation, the boys born between 1866 and 1892 were levied in both the regular army and the army of volunteers. There were Gypsies among the conscripted. Gypsies, together with all other soldiers, took part in many battles, memorable for their regiments and battle glory of Bulgaria’s Army. Some of the soldiers’ military files trace the whole battle history of their regiment during the war. The number of those killed, wounded or who died because of diseases and wounds was not small. Gypsies who died were buried together with the other Bulgarian soldiers. Those who fought bravely were awarded military honours, raised in rank and took junior field-grade positions.