Лятна школа по антропология 2025 – Варна
Тема: Градска памет: индустриална трансформация и културни наследства
27 юли – 1 август 2025
Екип:
гл. ас. д-р Любомира Вълчева-Нъндлол, Департамент „Антропология“, НБ - ръководител на проекта
доц. д-р Михаил Груев – лектор
гл. ас. д-р Милка Хаджикотева, Изследователски център „Компютърна и приложна лингвистика“, НБУ – превод
Траян Димитров – Завеждащ отдел „Нова история“ при РИМ-Варна, главен уредник – лектор и модератор студентски екип
Summer School of Anthropology 2025, the city of Varna
Theme: Urban Memory: Industrial Transformation and Cultural Heritage
27 July – 1 August 2025
Team:
Asst. Prof. Lyubomira Valcheva-Nundloll, PhD, Department of Anthropology, NBU – Project Director and Lecturer
Assoc. Prof. Mihail Gruev, PhD – Lecturer
Asst. Prof. Milka Hadzhikoteva, PhD, Computational and Applied Linguistics Research Centre, NBU – Interpreter
Trayan Dimitrov – Head of the “Modern History” Department at the Regional Museum of History – Varna; Curator, Lecturer, and Student Team Moderator
Participants:
“I aimed to investigate how the community in Varna has re-appropriated old factories, seeking to highlight to what extent those factories are part of the ongoing narrative and identity of the city. I was thrilled to take part in this Summer School and to exchange with colleagues coming from all over Europe. The teachers were particularly caring and willing to share their thoughts and help with us. I would recommend students to take part in those kinds of actions in order to nurture and challenge their knowledge and vision with other researchers.”
Cérine Djazoubi, University of Paris 8
Research Topic: Urban planning and the re-appropriation of disused factories in Varna
“This paper aims to examine, through the case study of the Beloslav glass factory, how power and class dynamics have changed in Bulgaria since the advent of socialism to the present day and how these changes have affected the urban structure of society. The historical development of Bulgarian industry was studied: after 1878, many changes took place to modernise the country, culminating in socialist economic planning. During this period, factory work was encouraged, which had two main consequences: the depopulation of rural areas and the growth of urban centres around production facilities. The socialist factory was a symbol of employment and production, but sometimes also the hub of a number of recreational and social activities, capable of establishing a meeting place that focused on the worker and his/her responsibilities.
The Summer School, Varna, Bulgaria, from July 27th to August 1st, 2025, was characterised by a predominantly practical approach to cultural and urban anthropology. After an introductory lecture on the origins of Bulgaria's industrial development, we conducted field research visiting numerous factories, both disused and active, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the transformations that took place. The places we explored are nestled within the urban fabric of the city, just a few minutes by bus from the centre. They are quiet spaces, forgotten by the city, poised between the frenzy of summer and the oppressive nostalgia of an era that no longer exists. The sites we explored evoked strong and contrasting emotions among us students. Our first glimpses of an abandoned place almost recalled the industriousness that once filled the factory courtyards and machinery, which had continued to operate incessantly throughout numerous socio-political turmoil. After a few moments, however, our scientific spirit of observation took over from our visceral feelings and directed our minds towards questions that needed answers. How did all this fall into disuse? Where did the workers go? How did social classes change after the factories closed? How did the urban fabric of the city of Varna change after 1989? We tried to answer these questions thanks to the sensations evoked by the places we explored and our observations, since the language barrier and time limitations made it almost impossible for us to conduct interviews with the local inhabitants. This resulted in a mixed paper, balancing between pure observation and scientific research based on books and scientific articles. It was therefore an original and educational experience, rare to find in an academic context, and highly challenging in a positive way.
The Summer School thus provided a unique opportunity to explore topics that are little known in the European academic world. My training in the field of cultural heritage management has benefited enormously from this wonderful opportunity offered by the ERUA alliance. I sincerely hope to continue exploring these topics through other possibilities by ERUA.”
Elena Paniccià, University of Macerata
Research Topic: Walking on broken glass. Lessons from the Beloslav Glass Factory
“I recently had the opportunity to participate in the ERUA Summer School of Anthropology in Varna, Bulgaria. This program turned out to be a rich and eyeopening experience. For me, as someone working in the field of international tourism, it was more than just an academic course—it was a chance to look at industrial heritage from a completely new perspective, one that combines anthropology, history, and niche tourism sector. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was learning about the “multimodal approach” to studying industrial sites. Instead of simply visiting abandoned factories or museums, we examined their histories through archives, blueprints, and old photographs. This helped me understand how these places have changed over decades and what they meant to the communities around them.
This Summer School of Anthropology was far more than just an academic exercise. It gave me new tools to understand cultural heritage as something living and evolving, shaped by both memory and transformation. Bringing this perspective into tourism means I can create projects that don’t just entertain visitors, but also deepen their understanding of the places they travel to. I believe this is the kind of tourism that will have a lasting impact—not only on the visitors but also on the communities themselves.”
Junlin Yan, University of Macerata
“The Cotton factory in Varna once embodied collective labor and the industrial ambition of the state; today, its grounds are being cleared to make way for luxury apartments. The transformation is marked by ambivalence: the common parts of the site are neglected, stripped, and left to ruin, while the private domain of future residents promises comfort and prosperity. This paper explores how urban change is bargained between memory and erasure, between social heritage and private gain, and how individuals navigate this uneven landscape of loss and renewal.
The Summer School in Varna was both intellectually enriching and personally inspiring. I greatly appreciated the openness and kindness of the professors, who encouraged all questions and provoked stimulating discussions, while at the same time leaving the initiative entirely to students in shaping their personal projects. The atmosphere was memorable — especially the meetings, which combined a modern, spiritual, and sophisticated setting with a truly academic spirit. The combination of engaged teaching, collaborative exchange, and inspiring locations made the Summer School a unique experience that will remain significant for my academic path.”
Ilina Marinova, NBU
Research Topic: From factory floor to luxury apartments: The social and private face of change in Varna
“Not speaking Bulgarian has let me explore the city in a meaningful silence. The old sites: factories and warehouses seem to be erased by the free market economy, rotting, forgotten, persisted, frozen in time, or transformed into open-air spaces, museums, cultivating the past. If we consider them as a technology of accumulation of the collective memory of the city, some form of its exteriorisation, it becomes clear that not only the memory itself matters, but what happens to the technology containing it? What are the implications? Suppression, amnesia, stiffness? I found the Summer School an opportunity to freely explore Varna, with subtle guidance that pointed to the points of intergenerational friction.”
Piotr Strąk, University of Paris 8
Research Topic: Post-industrial heritage of Varna as a forgotten technology of exteriorisation of collective memory
“My research focused on the challenges and opportunities for developing cultural and spiritual life in Varna through the use of underutilized or abandoned industrial and public infrastructures. Key issues identified include the lack of large venues with good acoustics, difficulties with attracting audiences to cultural events, and the absence of a clear framework for sustainable use of urban spaces for cultural purposes.
The municipality has attempted collaborations with cultural organizations and architects, exploring partnerships such as "Toplocentrala". I also examined the phenomenon of ephemeral cultural practices, events and activities that reclaim forgotten or inaccessible spaces (e.g., through graffiti or temporary artistic interventions). These practices raise questions of legitimacy, motivation, and the ways in which communities perceive and temporarily transform neglected sites into spaces of cultural expression.
The Summer School in Varna was a highly enriching experience. It provided a valuable platform to connect with colleagues, exchange perspectives, and engage directly with pressing cultural and infrastructural issues in the city. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to link theoretical concepts with practical fieldwork and discussions with local institutions. The program broadened my understanding of contemporary cultural dynamics and inspired me to think critically about the role of anthropology in addressing urban and social challenges.”
Veronika Spasova, NBU
“During the Summer School of Anthropology in Varna, I focused my assignment on the Glass Factory and Museum in Beloslav, a site of unique cultural, historical, and industrial significance in Bulgaria. Founded in 1893, this factory marks the beginning of modern glassmaking in the region and has preserved traditional techniques alongside contemporary production methods. The museum, established on the factory grounds, showcases a wide variety of glass objects, including decorative items and technical glass, reflecting the evolution of the craft over more than a century.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Summer School of Anthropology in Varna. The program was highly enriching, and I particularly enjoyed the visits to the Glass Factory and Museum in Beloslav, the textile and other factories in Varna, as well as the lectures, museum tours, and archive/library sessions. The experience allowed me to combine practical observation with academic learning and provided valuable insights into the cultural, historical, and industrial heritage of the region.”
Vladyslava Halaliuk, University of Paris 8
Research Topic: Exploring Work, Culture, and Heritage: Anthropological Observations in Varna and Beloslav
List of Participants:
Alejandro Quecedo Del Val, an MA student in Arts and Cultures. University of Paris 8;
Andrea Dol, an MA student in Cultural Anthropology and Law, University of Paris 8;
Andreas Sotiriadis, a BA student in Social Anthropology and History, University of Aegean;
Apostol Stoychev, an MA student in Cultural and Social Anthropology, NBU;
Camila Sabogal Barrios, an MA student in Literature and Anthropology, University of Paris 8;
Cérine Djazoubi, a BA student in Politics and Management of Culture in Europe, Institute of European Studies, University of Paris 8;
Charlotte Escorne, a PhD student in geography (IFG Lab), University of Paris 8, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne;
Chiara Roberta Deidda, an MA student in Management of Cultural Heritage, University of Macerata;
Diletta Pacini. An MA student in History and Archaeology for Innovation, University of Macerata;
Elena Paniccià, an MA student in Management of Cultural Heritage, University of Macerata;
Gabriela Petova, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Giuseppe Servino, a PhD student in Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Milan-Bicocca;
Hugo Estecahandy, а PhD student at the French Institute of Geopolitics, University of Paris 8;
Ilina Marinova, an MA student in Cultural and Social Anthropology, NBU;
Izabela Plachkova, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Junlin Yan, an MA student in International Tourism and Destination Management, University of Macerata;
Keauna Miller, an MA student in Theatre, Performances, Societies, University of Paris 3;
Konstantina Papaioannou, an MA student in Cultural Informatics and Communication, University of the Aegean;
Kristiana Krusteva, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Leonardo Cini, an MA student in History, University of Macerata;
Maria Somleva, a BA student in Cinema and Television, NBU;
Marine Vallard, an MA student in Geopolitics, French Institute of Geopolitics, University of Paris 8;
Miriana Koleva, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Piotr Strąk, a BA student in Philosophy and Musicology: Computer Assisted Composition, University of Paris 8;
Sakina Karim, an MA student in Law, NBU;
Shayma Mesouab, a BA student in Geography, University of Paris 8;
Simone De Pace, an MA student in History and Archaeology for Innovation, University of Macerata;
Velina Belenozova, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Veronika Spasova, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Veselina Bakardjieva, an MA student in Cultural and Social Anthropology, NBU;
Violeta Vekova, a BA student in Anthropology, NBU;
Vladyslava Halaliuk, an MA student in European Union and Globalization, University of Paris 8;
Yuliana Peneva, a BA student in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, NBU.