Bulgaria
Information
The district of Stolipinovo in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria is home to the largest Roma community in Europe. Built in the late 1960's to 70's the area was residentially mixed with Bulgarian from many different communities. Since the fall of the communist regime the area has been left to fall apart and most of the non-Roma population left. The Roma community that remained grew in numbers whist the infrastructure decayed and now many of the flat and houses have no running water and electricity for only a few hours a day. Despite all these hardships and discrimination, the community is strong and holds on to many of their traditions. It's the best way to keep it together in such circumstances.
Zhivka Stoyanova on her engagement day. These celebrations are one of the many social events in the community and last long into the early hours.
Main square in Stolipinovo.
Much of Stolipinovo was rebuilt in the 1960's and 70's. Since then almost no maintenance work has taken place and the whole place has been left to rot.
Man by fire by the Maritsa River.
Trumpeter at a graduation celebration.
A group of boys dressed up for Graduation party in the central community centre.
A member of the Ahmed family with her young daughter. The small two bedroom flat is home to six adults and four children.
In one of the stairways in the flats.
Onlookers at the wedding celebrations of Zhivka Stoyanova. These celebrations are one of the mail social events in the community and last long into the early hours.
A member of the Ivanova family holding an image off his mother and aunt.
Lunch in the Ivanova household.
Street portrait in Stolipinovo.
The Ahmed family in their front room which is also the family kitchen and a bedroom. The small two bedroom flat is home to six adults and four children.
A member of the Ahmed family at home. The small two bedroom flat is home to six adults and four children.
Street portrait in Stolipinovo.
A bride looking at wedding dresses in the main shopping street in Stolipinovo.
Portrait taken at a Graduation party in the central community centre.
One of the women celebrating their graduation at a group party held in the local community centre.
Portrait of the bride and groom at the wedding of Zhivka Stoyanova. These celebrations are one of the mail social events in the community and last long into the early hours.
