The future in our hands” “

Slav and Byzantine manuscripts have no secrets for her. Art historian and Professor at the University of Sofia, Aksinia Džurova is a scholar who has devoted her life to elucidating the history of the ancient evangelization of her country and its artistic expressions. But she also likes to raise her eye s from books and to participate in the civil and cultural life of Bulgaria. In her family she has always breathed “the air of politics”: her father, General Dobri Džurov, served as Minister of Defence for 28 years, before becoming one of the champions of the country’s gradual course to democracy after the fall of Communism. Prof. Dzurova, an Orthodox Christian, analyses for SIR the future prospects of Bulgaria and the Balkan nation’s gradual rapprochement with Brussels. It’s now definite: on 1st January 2007, your country will form part of the European Union. Is the population favourable to EU membership? What hopes are riding on it? “It’s not easy to reply with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The political classes and the intellectuals are favourable to entry into the Union, for which we have been preparing for years. But among the common people the waiting period has become too long and there’s a general feeling of mistrust. I think the State and those involved in the field of culture and information have the task of explaining what advantages people can expect, so as to convince them that the long wait has not been in vain”. Do you feel European? “Certainly! My work and my studies have enabled me to travel a lot and to spend periods abroad. I’ve cultivated professional relations with colleagues in other countries. For me Europe has always been a prospect and a reality. But it’s more than a mere economic community: it’s a complex reality rich in history, culture, traditions and religious faiths. These diversities co-exist together; they form the richness of the continent”. What vision do Bulgarian youth have of Community Europe? “I am a good deal in the company of young people, in the university. I see in them an open mentality, many hopes, and an eagerness to get involved and change things. However, it seems to me they are afraid of putting their own identity at risk by entering into a community of other nations. You see, in Bulgaria after 1989 everyone wanted to get out, to go elsewhere. Today that’s no longer the case. The conviction has grown that it’s important for Bulgarians to develop their own country and fulfil themselves at home, finding work here and helping to build a decent life. That is a very positive message for the future”. Is Bulgaria ready for the “big step”, for official entry into the EU? “To reach this goal we have travelled far, but I think there’s still a stretch of road to complete. I am thinking of the legal system, the economic situation… After the June elections, my country got a new government. Time was lost in putting together the ministerial team, but now the executive is at work. Now we need to pull up our sleeves and complete the reforms. I am convinced that our European future is in our own hands”. The last fifteen years have represented a great transformation for Bulgaria. What are the positive aspects and what are the problems linked to the past? “In our country the Communist system was not so harsh as in other neighbouring countries or in the Soviet Union. I was Vice-Rector of the University of Sofia between 1986 and 1989: each year some 2500 teachers and students went abroad to study and train. These exchanges were important; they were an ‘open window’ for us. The Orthodox religion also helped to preserve our national identity. In short, we Bulgarians were in some sense an exception. So in 1989 the gradual transition to democracy was not traumatic, even if we were ill prepared to manage our re-won freedom and realize democracy. Then came the economic transition, with grave material difficulties. Today, perhaps, this phase is about to end and a new age of development could be opening for Bulgaria. Also with the help of Europe”. You’ve spoken of religion, culture and identity. Do you think these elements can play an essential role in the future of Bulgaria? “I would say so. Each nation has a need for solid cultural and spiritual foundations. The churches and religious communities play an important part in the life of a people. The contributions of scholars, writers, painters and universities are also important to this end. Ecumenical dialogue is also important. For all these reasons I feel I can look to the future of Bulgaria with confidence”. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1415 N.ro relativo : 64 Data pubblicazione : 21/09/2005