New tendencies in post-totalitarian Bulgaria: Mass culture and the media

Europe - Asia Studies

Volumn 48, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 305-315

  Deltcheva, Roumiana ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA   (Canada)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0005618620     PISSN: 09668136     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/09668139608412348     Document Type: Article

References (32)

1. Caryl Emerson, 'The Shape of Russian Cultural Criticism in the PostCommunist Period', Canadian Slavonic Papers, 34, 1993, p. 353.
2. O. Saparev, 'Ideologizirane na trivialnoto', Literaturna misul, 1991, 3, p. 9. All translations of the Bulgarian sources quoted are mine.
3. ibid., p. 10.
4. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
5. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
6. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
7. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
8. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
9. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
10. Typical examples are Nikolai Todorov, VII Veliko narodno subranie zad kadur (The VIIth Great National Assembly Off-Screen) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Mikhail Nedelchev, Uchastie v politikata. SDS, RDP prez 1991-1993 (Participation in Politics: the UDF and RDP in the Period 1991-1993) (Sofia, Stiftung Friedrich Naumann, 1994); Petur Dertliev, Zabavno neshto e politikata (Politics Is an Entertaining Activity) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivo Atanasov, Parlamentut kato 'Mupetshou' (Parliament as 'Muppetshow') (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Dragomir Draganov, Smeshna istoriia na sedmoto veliko (A Funny History of the Seventh Great National Assembly) (Sofia, Kliment Okhridski, 1991); Stefan Prodev, Nosene na krusta (Carrying the Cross) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993) and Tosho Peikov, Svirepa arena ili tsirk (Fierce Arena or Circus) (Sofia, Janus, 1993).
11. For example, the ambitious but rather trite attempts of Edvin Sugarev, Slizaiki (Descending) (Sofia, Litse, 1992); Petur Beron, Sini chovechetu, cherveni chovecheta (Blue Pawns, Red Pawns) (Sofia, Tsviat, 1993); Iurii Borisov, Psikhologiia na podsuznanieto (Psychology of the Subconscious) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivan Kostov, Stopanskiiat upaduk i reformatorskite idei (The Economic Decline and the Ideas for Reform) (Sofia, Ikonomika, 1992) and Nikolai Slatinski, Nadezhdata kato labirint (Hope as Labyrinth) (Sofia, Videnov and Son, 1993).
12. For example, the ambitious but rather trite attempts of Edvin Sugarev, Slizaiki (Descending) (Sofia, Litse, 1992); Petur Beron, Sini chovechetu, cherveni chovecheta (Blue Pawns, Red Pawns) (Sofia, Tsviat, 1993); Iurii Borisov, Psikhologiia na podsuznanieto (Psychology of the Subconscious) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivan Kostov, Stopanskiiat upaduk i reformatorskite idei (The Economic Decline and the Ideas for Reform) (Sofia, Ikonomika, 1992) and Nikolai Slatinski, Nadezhdata kato labirint (Hope as Labyrinth) (Sofia, Videnov and Son, 1993).
13. For example, the ambitious but rather trite attempts of Edvin Sugarev, Slizaiki (Descending) (Sofia, Litse, 1992); Petur Beron, Sini chovechetu, cherveni chovecheta (Blue Pawns, Red Pawns) (Sofia, Tsviat, 1993); Iurii Borisov, Psikhologiia na podsuznanieto (Psychology of the Subconscious) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivan Kostov, Stopanskiiat upaduk i reformatorskite idei (The Economic Decline and the Ideas for Reform) (Sofia, Ikonomika, 1992) and Nikolai Slatinski, Nadezhdata kato labirint (Hope as Labyrinth) (Sofia, Videnov and Son, 1993).
14. For example, the ambitious but rather trite attempts of Edvin Sugarev, Slizaiki (Descending) (Sofia, Litse, 1992); Petur Beron, Sini chovechetu, cherveni chovecheta (Blue Pawns, Red Pawns) (Sofia, Tsviat, 1993); Iurii Borisov, Psikhologiia na podsuznanieto (Psychology of the Subconscious) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivan Kostov, Stopanskiiat upaduk i reformatorskite idei (The Economic Decline and the Ideas for Reform) (Sofia, Ikonomika, 1992) and Nikolai Slatinski, Nadezhdata kato labirint (Hope as Labyrinth) (Sofia, Videnov and Son, 1993).
15. For example, the ambitious but rather trite attempts of Edvin Sugarev, Slizaiki (Descending) (Sofia, Litse, 1992); Petur Beron, Sini chovechetu, cherveni chovecheta (Blue Pawns, Red Pawns) (Sofia, Tsviat, 1993); Iurii Borisov, Psikhologiia na podsuznanieto (Psychology of the Subconscious) (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); Ivan Kostov, Stopanskiiat upaduk i reformatorskite idei (The Economic Decline and the Ideas for Reform) (Sofia, Ikonomika, 1992) and Nikolai Slatinski, Nadezhdata kato labirint (Hope as Labyrinth) (Sofia, Videnov and Son, 1993).
16. Ch. Krumov, Do vechnata treva (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); V. Vulkanov, Lirika (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993).
17. Ch. Krumov, Do vechnata treva (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993); V. Vulkanov, Lirika (Sofia, Christo Botev, 1993).
18. Even under the new circumstances in Bulgaria it is politics that makes the man and not vice versa. Participation in parliamentary activity is seen as the highest possible status, pursued by many, whether competent or not. The tendency is particularly obvious with the intellectuals. Compare this claim with lovine's observation: 'Novelists, poets, literary critics and playwrights have become either political commentators and politicians (bad ones, some would say) or entrepreneurs in the publishing business with little time for creative literary pursuits. Parliament numbers among its elected deputies 17 members of the B[ulgarian] W[riters'] U[nion] (including Valery Petrov, Georgi Aleksiev, Georgi Velichkov, Georgi Mishev, Elka Konstantinova, Yordan Radichkov, Marko Ganchev and Rudenko Yordanov) as well as non-union writers such as the literary critics Edvin Sugarev and Mikhail Nedelchev ...'. Micaela Iovine, 'Bulgarian Literature after the Revolution', World Literature Today, 65, 1992, p. 255).
19. A new copyright law was eventually passed in the summer of 1994. It aims at protecting both Bulgarian and foreign intellectual property. So far, however - unlike the situation in Poland and Hungary, for example, where the new regulations on copyright immediately made a difference - it does not seem to be very effective. The street vendors are still offering pirated editions from Raymond Chandler to Judith Krantz, and audio-tapes from The Rolling Stones to Pearl Jam, very cheaply. There is more control in the shops, which, however, are not the consumers' first choice owing to the distinct difference in prices.
20. Basically, the general administrative division of Bulgaria is into 28 districts, with a major town as a district centre.
21. In this context, it is worth mentioning a separate phenomenon with a private radio station in the town of Pazardzhik. From the very beginning the owner of the project, the businesswoman Veselina Georgieva, defended her own original concept for private radio - she claimed that she would provide her listeners with an all-folk music radio station. It seemed like a project doomed to failure since over the past 20 years Bulgarian folk music, while gaining recognition abroad, has been declining in popularity in the country. The introduction of such an all-folk radio station and its immediate and long-lasting success in Pazardzhik, however, suggests that in Bulgaria the tendency is changing. Greater appreciation for the national culture is being developed.
22. It is necessary to make the distinction between legal and illegal TV broadcasts since the southern part of Bulgaria with its Muslim population has been targeted by numerous illegal broadcasts from Turkey, which have continued for more than four years now.
23. To support this observation I would like to give the following example. For over 20 years now, the First Bulgarian Programme and later Channel One of the Bulgarian National television has been featuring a one-hour programme summarising the political scene, with news and commentaries, at 8 p.m. every Saturday night. After the political changes in 1989 this show became the meeting-ground for the political figures and factions which determine the contemporary political image of Bulgaria. At the insistence of the viewers the show was given an extra half-hour of length. The majority of Bulgarians at present perceive it as the most important event on Saturday, which structures individuals' distribution of their leisure time.
24. Unlike in the West, where good books are available but expensive, in the socialist block good books were reasonably priced but difficult to obtain. In this context, it was always considered an extremely valuable connection for anyone to have a book salesperson as an acquaintance. Practically all good books in one's personal library were usually obtained through connections and 'under the counter'.
25. K. Kochemidova, 'The Media Bulgarian-Style', Kultura, 18 November 1994, p. 3.
26. ibid.
27. Ibid.
28. The information about the data from the experiment was provided by the sociologist Roumiana Buchvarova, who worked on devising the experiment and its subsequent analysis. At the time of my stay in Bulgaria (summer 1994), no published material was available.
29. In this context, it is worth mentioning another sociological study performed by Buchvarova and sponsored by the private company Noema, whose aim was to analyse the level of the population's trust in the different print media. According to the results from the experiment, which used a sample of 1650 individuals of both sexes and three distinct age categories, the most widely read newspaper in Bulgaria is 24 Chasa, purchased on a daily basis by 60% of the sampled informants. At the same time, only 33% of the readers consider it a reliable source of information or an example of professional journalism. There is a drastic discrepancy between the demand for it and the level of trust in it. Identical results in terms of non-correspondence between marketability and integrity were obtained for the weekly edition of Trud, second in circulation but, symptomatically, informally known as the 'Yellow Trud'.
30. Compare Kochemidova's statement confirming the observation: 'Through its fashionable mode of irony and blasphemy, journalism plays the role of depreciating politics and state institutions. Yet, it is interesting that it never targets material prosperity or the financial groups. Even when they are criticised for anything the attitude towards them remains serious. Perhaps this is society's recognition of the power of money. This [attitude], however, automatically legitimises a new value system of respect for money, which secretly holds power'. (K. Kochemidova, 'The Media Bulgarian-Style', Kultura, 18 November 1994, p. 3).
31. ibid.
32. Yu. Lotman, Kul'tura i vzryv (Moscow, Gnozis, 1992).