Canadian billionaire Yank Barry will look to repopulate deserted towns and villages in north-west Bulgaria with Syrian refugees willing to live there.

The news has stirred up online discussions among readers, the majority of whom strongly disapproved of such unrequested aid.

Commenters ardently opposed the concept of a Jewish businessman purchasing Bulgarian land and repopulating it with foreigners, especially when the latter are Muslims.

Some suggested that the philanthropist should accommodate the Syrian families in Canada noting that it is one of the most sparsely populated countries worldwide.

Others tended to be less patriotic and passionate and more on the practical side. Why would anyone want to live in a depopulated village when locals have abandoned it due to poverty and lack of work prospects in the first place?

There is a saying that the unrequested good deed is always punished. Bulgarians are in the habit of refusing help from the outside even when it is much needed. It might be pride, yet it probably is that deep-rooted suspicion we have of anything that comes to us for free, with no strings attached.

So, Mr. Barry, as much as we appreciate your gesture, let us think it over first.

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