The Cultural Communication of Emigration in Bulgaria

Nadezhda Sotirova's book explores the cultural communication of emigration in Bulgaria, highlighting the local social reality as navigated through interaction. It argues that "Bulgarian pessimism" is a combination of cultural communication resources used to make sense of socio-economic and political uncertainty.

Format: Hardback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

In her groundbreaking work, "The Cultural Communication of Emigration in Bulgaria," Nadezhda Sotirova skillfully weaves together a diverse tapestry of Balkanism, complaining practices, and the myth of the "Bulgarian Situation." Through the lens of ethnography of communication and cultural discourse analysis, the author delves into the intricate tapestry of lived experiences within Bulgarian communities, shedding light on their perspectives on emigration. By conducting ethnographic observations and engaging in in-depth interviews, Sotirova meticulously examines and contextualizes these experiences, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the local social reality as it unfolds through interpersonal interactions.

Drawing upon assumptions of communication as infused with the voices of the past, reflective, constitutive, and active, this case study of emigration discourses highlights the local social reality as navigated through the intricate web of language and social interaction. Sotirova argues that notions of "Bulgarian pessimism" can be comprehended through a language and social interactional perspective, as a complex amalgamation of cultural communication resources employed to make sense of the socio-economic and political uncertainties plaguing the country.

Bulgaria has undergone an extended transition characterized by a significant influx of emigrants due to a multitude of factors, including instability, widespread corruption, erratic political circumstances, and economic hardships. Sotirova explores local discourses on emigration as cultural currency accessible to the community members, where discussions on issues in Bulgaria serve as a means of communicatively enacting broader cultural notions of being (Bulgarian-ness), social relations (oplakvane), dwelling (Bulgarian Situation), and action (emigration).

Through her meticulous research, Sotirova offers a profound exploration of the complex interplay between culture, communication, and emigration in Bulgaria. Her work sheds light on the ways in which individuals and communities navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by migration, shaping their identities and relationships within the broader context of Bulgarian society. "The Cultural Communication of Emigration in Bulgaria" is a seminal contribution to the field of cultural studies, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of cultural transmission, identity formation, and social change.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 228 x 135 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793604736