Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Three ethnic communities - one heart
Friends of the World Association - Silistra
Background
The idea for the project was proposed by 12 young people who participated in earlier project on the social integration of children and young people of Roma origin in the village of Bogdansi, supported by Charity Know How Fund for Bulgaria. In the process of work young people came to the conclusion that they are not familiar with the history or traditions of the various ethnic groups on the territory of Silistra region. Hence the main goal of the Three ethnic groups one heart project was to overcome prejudice and stereotypes towards the people of the ethnic minority groups through getting together and becoming familiar with one another s folklore traditions.
The idea for the project was proposed by 12 young people who participated in earlier project on the social integration of children and young people of Roma origin in the village of Bogdansi, supported by Charity Know How Fund for Bulgaria. In the process of work young people came to the conclusion that they are not familiar with the history or traditions of the various ethnic groups on the territory of Silistra region. Hence the main goal of the Three ethnic groups one heart project was to overcome prejudice and stereotypes towards the people of the ethnic minority groups through getting together and becoming familiar with one another s folklore traditions.
Practice
The project received financing as part of the ISC/USAID program on seeking sustainable models, administrated by the Open Society Rousse. It was realized in the town of Glavnitsa and the village of Bogdantsi, Silistra region. A group of children with interests in practicing folk dancing and studying ethnography participated in the project.
At the start of the project, the children got together for a picnic near the village of Malak Preslavets, where they had the chance to get to know each other and set the beginning of friendship through various games and quizzes. Dance and ethnography courses were organized and held two times per week at Vassil Levski School and the community centers in Glavnitsa and Bogdantsi.
The participants in the ethnography course I am getting to know you studied the traditions of three ethnic groups: Bulgarian, Roma, and Turkish. Together, they made martenitsi, took part in the celebration of Anife on the day before Kurban Bairam, and celebrated Easter.
One of the significant project results was the spontaneous joining of citizens of Bogdanci and Glavnitsa into the project activities mayors, families of the participants, municipality officials and parents.
The project received financing as part of the ISC/USAID program on seeking sustainable models, administrated by the Open Society Rousse. It was realized in the town of Glavnitsa and the village of Bogdantsi, Silistra region. A group of children with interests in practicing folk dancing and studying ethnography participated in the project.
At the start of the project, the children got together for a picnic near the village of Malak Preslavets, where they had the chance to get to know each other and set the beginning of friendship through various games and quizzes. Dance and ethnography courses were organized and held two times per week at Vassil Levski School and the community centers in Glavnitsa and Bogdantsi.
The participants in the ethnography course I am getting to know you studied the traditions of three ethnic groups: Bulgarian, Roma, and Turkish. Together, they made martenitsi, took part in the celebration of Anife on the day before Kurban Bairam, and celebrated Easter.
One of the significant project results was the spontaneous joining of citizens of Bogdanci and Glavnitsa into the project activities mayors, families of the participants, municipality officials and parents.
Results
- Twenty-four young people of the minority ethnic groups overcame their social isolation and established friendly relationships with their peers of Bulgarian background.
- Twelve Roma children improved their language skills and education, got familiar with other places of residence, their culture and traditions.
- Thirty-six people of Roma, Turkish and Bulgarian ethnic background overcame their prejudice and learned how to live and work together.
- Twenty-four young people of the minority ethnic groups overcame their social isolation and established friendly relationships with their peers of Bulgarian background.
- Twelve Roma children improved their language skills and education, got familiar with other places of residence, their culture and traditions.
- Thirty-six people of Roma, Turkish and Bulgarian ethnic background overcame their prejudice and learned how to live and work together.
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