Angela 60 Years Old, Odorovtsi
Odorovtsi is a village located in the Montana province, Northwest of Bulgaria at the foot of the Balkan mountains and only a few kilometres from the Danube.
Angela is originally from Milan, she has been living in this village of few inhabitants for about 10 years. She arrived here when she was 51 years old, alone, and with her life savings she bought a small house and a piece of land. “I needed this: there is a moment in which a door opens up, and that happens once in a lifetime. I had savings, about 48 thousand euros, my brother had been living in Bulgaria for 4 years, and when I saw this place I decided it was “my place” in the world. When I arrived here, I realized that we need a few essential things: water, fire, friendly animals, you don’t need anything else”.
Pietro 71 Years Old, Sofia
Pietro, who comes from Casalecchio di Reno, has been living in Sofia for 7 years. He is married to a Bulgarian woman but he is a lonely man; he has no contacts with other Italian retired people in Bulgaria, he lives his life, he does not speak Bulgarian but he makes himself understood: “I do not speak, do not write it, I’m old.”
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BULGARIA EXODUS
April 2015, it has been 8 years since the famous financial collapse of known Lehman Brothers. 8 years of the collapse of the financial markets. 8 years since the devastating tsunami that has affected all countries in the seafront: Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece. Under this motto, Italy has implemented a series of reforms to “austerity” that have seen protagonists the education the public health, the job and the pensions.
In Italy in the last few years there has talked so much of “austerity” and the need to implement reforms and cuts necessary for the economic recovery of the Bel Paese. In Italy in the last few years there has been much talk of “austerity” and the need to implement reforms and cuts necessary for the economic recovery of the Bel Paese.
This “austerity” has brought the country to disastrous consequences. In recent years there has been an exodus, not only for young people looking for work, but also of entire families, small investors and retirees looking for a place to live with their small allowance, that in Italy does not would allow to live. The decision to leave the “Bel Paese” is sometimes almost forced: whether it be retirees whether it be of those who have meagre savings.
The European country, where in recent years are “emigrating” many Italians, is Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a member of the EU and the cost of living is low. The local currency is the Leva is anchored in the last decade in a stable exchange rate, and it is a few hours from Italy Some of the people we met, living in Varna town on the Black Sea, other retirees have chosen to live in smaller villages and other living there for twenty years. Each of these people has a past and a different story, seem to be looking for a late revenge, they came away from their land to recreate a dignified life.
Year
2015