Trials, arrests, inefficient laws, the highest juridical criminality in Europe. It turns out the situation is desperate and requires draconic measures. It turns out democracy is used for intellectual and cultural genocide, and higher education for intrigue, crime and treachery. It turns out we delude ourselves that our judicial system is independent and works for justice and order in the state… Is everything so grim? Are we going to tighten our belts still further, will the bills rise even higher? Will the government, pressed by the economic crisis and by the planned reforms, gain sufficient government skills and resolution, will it be consistent enough in its actions, and will it be able to find the right paths to lead the country to the longed for prosperity? The questions are many, and not only there is no light in the tunnel but the darkness seems to be growing denser… These are the impressions of our country one gets at first sight, reading the Bulgarian press.

And in this situation exhibitions are organized, books are published, shows are performed, fairs are held… Notwithstanding the limitations, notwithstanding the rising costs… And people – from ordinary workers, through unemployed and intellectuals – buy books, go to galleries, theatres, the opera. Even though it is at the expense of something else. Makes you wonder what country is that? A country where those forced to survive care about culture, or a country where culture is the interest of those forced to survive.

Bulgarian culture finds ways to survive; the Bulgarians’ spirit again proved to be one of their most persistent traits; the Bulgarians’ traditions again proved to be stronger than the times we live in. The reforms are certainly necessary, but we should watch out, lest with the great limitations we make sad work of it.

Juliana Tomova
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief