Dr. Alexander Karakachanov; Prof. Dr. Georgeta Nazarska; Dr. Nina Debruyne.

Title of paper: Subcultures as active participants in the transition in Bulgaria.

Affiliation: University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract: The transition from totalitarianism to a market economy and functioning democratic institutions in Bulgaria is a complex, multilayered and controversial process. The goal of our research is to uncover the internal sociocultural mechanisms critical for the historical transition process.

The transition would have been impossible without the accumulation of changes in the mass consciousness which brought about changes in the social relations. When such changes happen gradually in a relatively stable social environment, they are ‘diffuse’, permeating society almost imperceptibly and without conflict. However, when the changes occur in a short time and especially when coupled with accumulated social tension, then the forming social attitudes are grouped around different, often antagonistic, centres. The latter lay the foundations for the creation of social groups from which subcultures may emerge.

The main research hypothesis is that at the end of the totalitarian regime and in the beginning of the transition in the political, economic and cultural life in Bulgaria, there were formed several main subcultures with various degrees of critical influence over the development of social processes in the country. A main mechanism of influence which transforms the subcultures in active agents of the historical change are the so-called ‘culturemes’. These are cultural narratives used by the mass consciousness to express attitudes to real life and serve to form, justify and initiate social action. They are the main mechanism through which the subculture is expressing itself as an active participant (agent) in the historical process. The research aims at studying and validating the respective narratives as key identifiers of each subculture.

So far, the study identified several significant subcultures of which two political playing the leading role in the transition. They are based on ideological structures consisting of limited number of simple ideologemes (the culturemes of the political conscience).

Biographies:

Alexander KARAKACHANOV, PhD – Associated Professor, Department of General Studies, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria. Research interests: political theory, transition theory, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of mind. Scientific publications: 4 monographs and over 30 articles.

Georgeta NAZARSKA, PhD – Professor, Department of Culture, Heritage ant Tourism, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria. Research interests: social history, women history, history of gender, history of institutions, ethnic and religious communities and education. Publications: 3 monographs and over 50 articles.

Nina DEBRUYNE, PhD – Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Culture, Heritage ant Tourism, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria. Research interests: cultural heritage socialization, protection and valuation; museum studies, private collections Publications: 2 monographs, over 15 articles.

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