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The events in 1989 in Bulgaria and Europe: the opening of Eastern Europe, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the changes, are a contradictory moment, because it’s wrong to deny everything which was done in socialist times, and at the same time some acts during socialism can’t be justified. So, on one hand, the changes brought good things, and on the other hand they brought a lot of misery, because during socialism no matter that people weren’t rich, they used to receive small salaries, which gave them the opportunity to go every year on vacation, they retired and led a calm and secured life as pensioners. Their pensions were enough to cover their expenses. In winter they used to pay almost nothing for heating, as at that time heating was only around five percent of one’s income. I mean that socialism has its pros and cons.
Therefore, some people dream of restoring socialism, because during those times everything was provided for them even though scanty and poor. And there is something else, which is of great importance: people felt safer at that time, i.e. people were afraid of the authorities and the level of crime was much lower. These things can’t be judged one-sidedly: there are good and bad things. And it applies to socialism too. Now, after 1989 things are good for people who have got back their property, yet, for most of the people life is hard indeed, as they are forced to spend all their earnings only on heating.
Currently, I’m doing translations from Ivrit into Bulgarian and vice versa. I have a small room in the synagogue for that purpose. Of course, most of the work I do here is in favor of the synagogue. During the holidays I assist the rabbi, who is from Libya and sometimes I have to translate from Ivrit to the congregation present there. We have a tradition to gather in the synagogue on Sabbath.
Therefore, some people dream of restoring socialism, because during those times everything was provided for them even though scanty and poor. And there is something else, which is of great importance: people felt safer at that time, i.e. people were afraid of the authorities and the level of crime was much lower. These things can’t be judged one-sidedly: there are good and bad things. And it applies to socialism too. Now, after 1989 things are good for people who have got back their property, yet, for most of the people life is hard indeed, as they are forced to spend all their earnings only on heating.
Currently, I’m doing translations from Ivrit into Bulgarian and vice versa. I have a small room in the synagogue for that purpose. Of course, most of the work I do here is in favor of the synagogue. During the holidays I assist the rabbi, who is from Libya and sometimes I have to translate from Ivrit to the congregation present there. We have a tradition to gather in the synagogue on Sabbath.
Location
Bulgaria
Interview
Yosif Avram Levi