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March 2021
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a different view of a student candidate to the higher education
How high is higher education in Bulgaria? How deep is the gap between professor and student? What about the learner and the curriculum? Why if you stay in Bulgaria and continue your higher education you will be "crazy", "without realization" or "you have lost 4 years"? Why is not there a single education consultancy agency in Bulgaria, and education agencies for studying abroad are increasing every year? It is much easier and more accessible to look for information about a university abroad than to search into the sites of our higher education institutions that created the module enrolment more than 10 years ago. Why do foreign universities look at your extracurricular activities and achievements while ours consider exams and high school diploma as the most important thing? In order to be successfully accepted in elite Bulgarian university, you need to exclude almost all extracurricular activities and focus mainly on the final exams and the entry exam. Why, why, why? Why doesn't anyone want to keep the increasing number of students continuing their education abroad every year? Or at least no one is making a change. For everyone it's a perfectly normal thing and they don't even think about change. Some of the buildings and hostels in the Bulgarian universities have not been renovated since their establishment. Modules in some majors have not been updated and students' motivation is lost. Full scholarships are something unheard of and unprecedented. Why aren’t there enough finances invested in higher education? How is it possible that in Finland, Denmark or Scotland, tuition for all majors is free, and here only some endangered courses such as pedagogy and mathematics are deprived of seed fees. Now I think more and more about why a large number of students choose the way abroad. And my dream until a few months ago was the same. But I thought that in order to make any change, you have to start by yourself. You have to start here. From Bulgaria. If we don't come together and make the change, there's no one that will give it to us. Higher education in Bulgaria has more steps to climb in the world rankings and rank-lists. From filling the gap between professor and student, changing schedule and modules, to advertising the establishments and higher awareness of prospective students. Yes, even advertising. The websites of some higher education institutions are not updated regularly, not to mention their social media. We live in 21st century, but our higher education seems to have stopped in the 20th century. And for you, how high is higher education in Bulgaria?
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Dear Santa...6/3/2021 Dear Santa,
I wrote to you last year. Don't you remember me? Well, it's okay, so many kids write to you every year, it's normal to forget. And now with this Coronavirus... I understand you're quarantined. I hope you'll be all right by Christmas. I mean, I want to thank you for fulfilling all my wishes last year. But when I tell you all, Grandpa... Really all of them. But now I'm here with a single wish for this Christmas. Last year it was seven, and now it's just one. But it's more important than anything in the world. You remember her, Mom, I wrote about her last year. Well, she's is affected by the virus that everyone has and she's in the hospital, Santa... I feel very sad and lonely. How many times have I mentioned to you that Christmas is my favorite holiday and that I love us being all together, the whole family... To laugh, open the presents together. I miss this stuff now, Grandpa. I know I write a lot. I'm so chatty. However, please, I want Mom to recover and return home on Christmas Day. I hope I didn't write you too late so you can have time to do your job. I know last year there were toys, and now it's something so big... But Grandpa, I don't want anything else now. I miss my mom. Bring her home safe and sound. Lots of love: You know who
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In Europe, the representatives of this marginal group are around 700 000, but especially in Bulgaria there isn’t an exact statistic of their count. In Cologne, Germany, abandoned buildings in which homeless people live, are being demolished, so new and more important projects could be realized. The lack of accommodation is a precedent for residing on the streets. There an important law is the one for the strongest, but is this law implemented in this times of the COVID-19 pandemic?
For this article, we interviewed the social assistant of “Karitas Burgas” ( consortium of social workers for assistance of the homeless people) Desislava Goranova and the leader of the Bulgarian Red Cross Burgas- Violeta Radeva. “In my opinion, the treatment of the homeless people is different, because everyone has their own opinion on this matter. The people, who were left on the streets, have different reasons that brought them to the situation. A part of them really does not want to go back to the normal life. There are many people who donate their belongings or buy food. Others are depreciating the homeless, and hold them accountable for the situation” says Violeta Radeva. “In many cases, the people don’t have the proper education, information and resources, therefore they need our help and the situation gets harder”, shares the social assistant Desislava Goranova. “But other institutions, for example the hospitals, look down on these people, as they do not have the needed health insurance. And even if a situation is urgent, the homeless are always put in the second place. “ On 11.12.2020, the clone of the organization in Sofia raised money to purchase a PCR test for a homeless man, due to the fact that he had to be accepted into the Center for temporary accommodation in the “Acacia” neighbourhood. For the homeless people the resources for these tests are ensured by the financial aid of “Social help”. And still, even though the government bears the costs of such matters, in a moment of need the people have their needs denied, because the one-time payments for the period have ended. The whole problem lays in the bureaucracy. “When we asked for help, we did not receive it, because it was needed in another city. The man, who applied for the financial aid has to constantly check if he has done everything in the time span and whether the accommodation in the shelter is still valid. Currently, we have a case, in which the one-month decision for accommodation will end and the man will not get the money for the test because of the holidays. He can’t get the money on time and will receive them later in January” shared Desislava. The man in question is named Konstantin Angelov and he is 34 years old. During the interview with Mrs. Goranova, this man is showering in the bathroom of the “Karitas Burgas” Centre. The necessary funds for his test are raised, but he will receive them on the 20th of January, but to that date Konstantin, who has tuberculosis, remains living in the streets. “I am feeling threatened when I am in the streets, but because of “Karitas Burgas” I believe that I can be accepted for the shelter”adds the homeless man. “We are constantly writing letters, in which we ask for information on how to proceed. However, they only act when the problem escalates, as it does right now with the homeless people with a positive PCR test” When the problem with the money for Konstantin occurred, “Karitas Burgas” realised what a struggle the whole process, regarding the institution, bureaucracy and the submission of applications actually is. He is angry, sad and hurt, because he constantly has closed roads ahead of him. Since the 11th of December the center has been fighting for Konstantin to be accepted in the shelter. The institutions’ message in such situations is “If you can, give up”. A month before that, there are problems in Burgas once again. Supposedly, the homeless people do not have money to cover the physical needs of having a normal life. Nevertheless, a homeless man is fined 600 leva on 07.11.2020. Desislava also says that the first fine, with a cost of 300 leva is because the man was sitting alone on a bench at the park, when going out was forbidden, and the following fine was on the next day due to him not wearing a mask. Then, two lawyers step up and help in the appeal of these fines. This man does not have anything to give, cannot pay the fines, he is also diagnosed with epilepsy and a mental deficit. After all these problems and misunderstandings, there is one question: “Where is the government?”. Are they blind? Boyko Borisov claims that no one will be left hungry, but if so, then why the needs of this marginal and vulnerable group are not met properly. Hundreds of people apply for the social programme, which ensured 24 leva a day, but suddenly they are being lied to and even if they need half of the sum, they do not receive it. They do not have money for food and then it’s time for the Bulgarian Red Cross to step in. “In the moment, there really is not a man left hungry. There is a countless number of programmes. For yet another year the Bulgarian Red Cross gives out food packages and social aid. This is an initiative of the program for European organization for food and financial aid. Last year, 11 000 homeless people and those in a tough social situation received these packages twice. One package weights 25 kilograms. Many different donators, non- governmental organizations and rotary associations often help too” adds Radeva. “We, from the Bulgarian Red Cross, helped 900 homeless people in Burgas, in March and April 2020, with the essential food products. There was a campaign to raise money for financial aid, which helped purchase the food” According to the leader of the Bulgarian Red Cross Burgas, the weak activity and information is often the reason for a person to be easily lied to. There is not a way for a non-governmental sector to constantly know who is in trouble and who needs help, and that is why it’s so important for them to seek help, therefore to apply to different social programs. The Bulgarian Red Cross ensured the food, and “Karitas Burgas “gives out lots of clothes. The small center possesses many donated clothes, blankets and even shaving foam. The two organization have a common work. Events like “Buy and donate” and “Warm lunch” connect the organisations not only through financial aid, but also through the attention that they give to the homeless. The two women find the French innovative idea “A box for Christmas” as an easy, successful and generous. “The people of Burgas have big and generous hearts” they share with a smile on their face. The homeless- a big and risky group. We will hardly reach Finland’s attitude towards the homeless. Reforms and changes like free or cheaper tap water in the restaurants and cafés are a must for an ensured access for all vulnerable groups. Organisations like the BRC and “Karitas” give the most precious thing they have- time. Why should the old train wagons be used as a temporary accommodation for the homeless instead of being sold? Because not having a home means always being cold, going to the toilet in bushes, being hungry, insecure, not having money, losing yourself and being alone. How much does a home mean?!
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The 2020 Apocalypse9/2/2021 2020 will definitely leave its mark in the history of the modern world, as the year in which millions of people got infected with an unknown virus and many lives were lost. The country was closed and the medial workers (and not only) fought at the front line in the war with COVID-19. The education system was forced to accept the challenge, called “online education”.
2020 was also a year of questions. The sickness was unknown for the people, no one had a clue of what is going to happen. And probably because of the many questions (Only because of this?), regarding the “plague of the 21st century), many “great geniuses” were discovered. They offered us a rich collection of conspiracy theories, mystical rituals, innovative project and many of such matter. The questions remained as questions, even though many answers were suggested. I still don’t know if the coronavirus was purposely created lab-virus, I don’t know if it is being used as a biochemical weapon. I don’t know if Bill Gates wants to insert chips inside of us through the “Pfizer” vaccines… Or maybe someone else… The year is 2021. The theories and suggestions of what’s going to come next are still here. The astrologists make their own assumptions, counting on the stars, others publish predictions of the known by all animation “The Simpsons”, and others count on the famous Bulgarian prophetess Baba Vanga. And all of them say the same thing- a world apocalypse is coming… For me, the apocalypse has come a long time ago. But that isn’t the apocalypse that everyone is talking about. The apocalypse came into the life of the people, in their inside world, in their moral values. The time of the pandemic turned our everyday life into a war, and what turned out to be most important was the fierce struggle for survival. Apparently, we needed something to show us that the human life- every human life- and the health, are the most important. They stand in the first place, above anything else. Some people changed and forgot the vanity and the superficial shine of the expensive cars and clothes. They realized the value of the truly important things. Others continue to live in mistrust and conspiracies. Maybe sooner or later, they will realize the point of what’s happening, for themselves rather than the human race. Now it is time to recover from this apocalypse together. This is a new opportunity. Nothing will be the same anymore…. Oh, how I hope it’s for the better.
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THE FREE with Radostina Koleva9/2/2021 Radostina Koleva is a singer, songwriter, composer and author of the site “cultinterview.com”. She was born in Dobrich, where she studied in the Art school “St. Kliment Ohridski”. After that, she continued her education in Sofia University with the specialty “Musical Pedagogy”. In May 2002, her first book of poems “ The pain...” was published. She writes songs for Margarita Hranova, Hristiana Dunkova, Dimitrina Germanova and others. At the end of 2006, her second book “Unconscious”, full of poems, lyrics and unsaid thoughts, was published.
1. Where did the idea for the atypical cultinterview.com came from? - My friend, who lives alone in Canada, asked me: why don’t I create a site myself, since I can already write. This is how Cultinterview.com was created exactly 5 years ago. A wonderful place for interesting people to express themselves. What is freshest about this is that for me it’s incredibly pleasant to meet people, that I have chosen personally. I see someone, we get coffee, we talk, take a few shots, and it’s ... emotional most times. There are people who have not reached full popularity yet, but have the capacity and past to talk about interesting moments in their life or in their profession. 2. Is it hard to swim in a sea of words and information nowadays? - I think that people get overwhelmed with all of the information that they receive every single day, from all medias- serious or not. That’s why, when they open the internet, they just “click” and don’t make an effort to see what stands behind that. What’s importantly is the like. Someone probably said something important …?! Apparently it doesn’t matter. A new post with different information quickly follows up. It’s not very pleasant when you try to create something touching, but it doesn’t reach anyone. 3. Who is the most interesting person you have interviewed? - There are many peculiar people. Everyone wakes up in a different mood and you can’t predict if on the said day, the person would want to talk, smile, or even perceive seriously our meeting. A guest can look like a good interlocutor, but may not always be one. The smart and talanted people are the most interesting. You can’t convince me that a fool can conceal himself, you always see the real capacity. It shows. Everything shows, when you have been doing interviews for 20 years. It was extremely pleasant for me to interview Vasil Binev, Vasil Mihailov who is also incredible, the actors Ivan Stamenov, Hristo Petkov, Ivan Barnev, Dimitar Banenkin, the ballerino Yasen Vulchanov, Danial Vulchev also, Maria Grozdeva, the athlete Mirela Demireva.... I can’t list all of them. 4. And the hardest to reach? - When someone has accepted, he automatically becomes not hard to reach, because he sees my good will. He feels it. There’s no point in watching from above, because its ugly and rude. It’s suppressing even. There are some people, who have denied- for example, wanting money for the interview. But there are also some that I have been patiently, for months. When I know that the interview will happen, I don’t give up. When I choose someone, I also take into account the risks and probabilities. 5. What do you think about the freedom of speech in Bulgaria? What do we need in order to change our position- 111th place? - Me and Cultinterview.com have our freedom. Because no one stands on my head and my thoughts. Now, having no point in saying some things is a whole other question. Or trying to convince someone in something? It’s hopeless. 6. Is the Bulgarian music free? - Music is free on its own. Creating songs has a specific meaning order. There is no way for someone to tell you how to write a song. You can only follow the harmony, the melody. There are rules, but the small series of tons can be shuffled and as a result- I can write a song, you can write a completely different one. I gave many years of my life to music. I didn’t give up on it because I’ve been in the field since I was 8 years old, but I prefer the songs I make to go to other artists- new, popular. I’m not only talking about music, but also about the lyrics. 7. You have written many different songs, lyrics and interviews... Which style do you feel is very close to you? - It’s not about style. The style is mine everywhere, and all of this, even if you do not believe it, has always happened at the same time. I had just finished the music school in Dobrich, when I started making interviews for “Dobrudjanian Tribune”, and after that- for “ New Dobrujanian Tribune”. After that I studied in Sofia and gave out interviews for “Review” magazine, for “Grace” magazine and others .. You see, everything went along together. How can you say it’s not when there aren’t any facts in reverse benefit? 🙂 8. Finish the sentence “The pandemic of...” - Well, it’s clear, but I’m done talking about this topic. Really. I hear, watch, read, all the time, I’m hoping. Can we get a pandemic of culture next time? Only for some diversity. 9. How would you describe a free person? A free nation? Country? What does freedom mean to you? - Look- a Lion hardly asks for anyone’s opinion and does not accept it. Therefore, he’s always free. I can’t feel if someone’s pressuring me, and I’m trying to feel sublime and spirited. I just can’t. But now, when I started drawing T-shirts, and also watercolor, there you have a new freedom. The nation is not free. Maybe now its hands are tied because of the...pandemic. But when they untie them, it will all clear up. Airplanes will fly in the sky. Now we don’t hear them. They are gone. And how much I want to be in one of them soon... Maybe to Lisbon?!
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by Elina Spasova |