How many Times were Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Bulgaria Severed
If we look at history, there are not many cases in which relations between Bulgaria and Russia at the state level were as bad as they are at the moment.
Books Away
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Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia News Agency)
By Petya Sabinova
A strange sight can be noted lately in Sofia parks and cafes - books lying on benches and corners, seemingly abandoned, but actually left there for avid readers to pick up and enjoy - Book Crossing.
When I first saw a shelf of books like that in my freshman year in university, quite frankly, I didn't believe it. Knowing how I saved up to buy something to read every two weeks, it just seemed unnatural to leave the hard-earned pages there. I only warmed up to the idea when faced with the overflowing suitcases at the end of the academic year. Even then it was hard to let go, and far too many books made it home with me. Hearing about the book crossing practice coming to Bulgaria my first thought was "Good job." Doubt came right after, however, for I admit, I don't think the country is quite ready for that.
It is a long established practice in Bulgaria that things rarely reach their intended receivers. Flood-aid money dissolves in phantom companies, EU funds are siphoned to the mafia, and the wrong people end up in parliament... Who's to say that this well-meant initiative will survive, unlike so many others in our daily grind?
I am sure that there will be people who would embrace book crossing and even start donating their own favorites as well. However, I also know there will be some who would tear out the pages to light a fire in an illegal shack in a Sofia ghetto. Kudos to those who set the books free even though they feared people in Bulgaria might "just fill up their personal libraries." Now it's up to all the rest of us to show that Bulgarians can grasp the idea of sharing, of knowledge, and of kindness.
A strange sight can be noted lately in Sofia parks and cafes - books lying on benches and corners, seemingly abandoned, but actually left there for avid readers to pick up and enjoy - Book Crossing.
When I first saw a shelf of books like that in my freshman year in university, quite frankly, I didn't believe it. Knowing how I saved up to buy something to read every two weeks, it just seemed unnatural to leave the hard-earned pages there. I only warmed up to the idea when faced with the overflowing suitcases at the end of the academic year. Even then it was hard to let go, and far too many books made it home with me. Hearing about the book crossing practice coming to Bulgaria my first thought was "Good job." Doubt came right after, however, for I admit, I don't think the country is quite ready for that.
It is a long established practice in Bulgaria that things rarely reach their intended receivers. Flood-aid money dissolves in phantom companies, EU funds are siphoned to the mafia, and the wrong people end up in parliament... Who's to say that this well-meant initiative will survive, unlike so many others in our daily grind?
I am sure that there will be people who would embrace book crossing and even start donating their own favorites as well. However, I also know there will be some who would tear out the pages to light a fire in an illegal shack in a Sofia ghetto. Kudos to those who set the books free even though they feared people in Bulgaria might "just fill up their personal libraries." Now it's up to all the rest of us to show that Bulgarians can grasp the idea of sharing, of knowledge, and of kindness.
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