Seminar “Aspects of the Ethnocultural Situation in Bulgaria,” November 8–10, 1991, Sofia

Abstract

A seminar to discuss the current changes in the ethnic and religious groups in Bulgaria was held in Sofia under the auspices of The Center for Research of Democracy (Bulgaria) and The Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Ger? many). This joint initiative gathered in Sofia more than 50 scholars from both Sofia University and the institutes affiliated with the Bulgarian Acad? emy of Sciences. A book containing the presentations and the minutes of discussions was published a few months later by The Center for Research of Democracy. A valuable collection of academic and field research studies on Bulgaria and the Balkans?historically a troubled region?was thus offered not only to students and specialists, but also to decisionmakers and journalists. The Center for Research of Democracy is a new, posttotalitarian institution created with the purpose of promoting the democratic traditions in Bulgaria's social and political life and studying the experience of devel? oped democratic societies throughout the world. Some of the most impor? tant activities of the Center include evaluating the crucial moments in Bulgarian national history and adding to the agenda updated issues in order to facilitate the process of democratization in Bulgarian society. Being one of the major German foundations sponsoring political and social research, The Friedrich Naumann Foundation commenced recently the realization of a project on Southeastern Europe encompassing Bulgaria and Romania. The project, administered by Dr. Arno Weckbecker, aims at supporting the promotion of liberal ideas and principles in both politics and the establishment of a free market initiative in these countries. In Bulgaria, the Foundation had already organized a variety of seminars and had distrib? uted book donations and assistance to book publishers. It has also sponsored educational programs and has provided funds for qualifying Bulgarian