Today’s New York Times published a good article about night life in Bulgaria.
It starts with a description of a well-known place for all Bulgarian students – the Studentski grad (Google’s Maps), or Student’s Town – a place, where majority of the students studying in Sofia live. It has been turning into one of the fastest growing areas in Sofia.
The article continues:
At night, many of the area’s 25,000 students — including engineering and economics majors at the Technical University and the University of National and World Economy — hoof it to more than 30 strobe-lighted bars and discos, many hidden behind aged, Soviet-era dorms and publicized only by word of mouth. Spurred by Bulgaria’s accession into the European Union this year, the capital city of Sofia is experiencing a night-life boom. And nowhere is this more apparent that in Studentski Grad, where cheap rents, lax zoning rules and young residents mean that clubs and bars are opening everywhere, from vacant lots to active dormitories.
Read the whole story, including opinions of the mayor of the Student’s Town, visitors, and impressions from the city at the NYT web page.
I haven’t been in Student Town for 15 years now, but I used to go out there almost every night when in college.
The picture that Robert Reid paints is in a way positive, but I sense a note of criticizm- especially in the last sentence. Is he implying that BG students party too much? Or are we NOT ready to be in the EU yet? (the beginning)
What is the purpose? Why in New York times? Is this sooo important? It sounds like a guide to Sofia to me.
I think this is the dumbest article anyone could write about Bulgaria. Just like in the old tradition they are putting us in the same category as Borat – now after the movie came out – even more so.
All I know is this: if they put American students and Bulgarian students in one dormitory or even town- Bulgarians will drink AS much as the Americans, will not get trashed and will do MUUUUCH better in school.
Let alone in their profession after graduation.
WE RULE ! I hate it when some American ass is just looking to move up in his career and is using Bulgaria for a topic to practice on.
That’s what this article is. BAD journalism !!!!
Nora
Nora,
I don’t think it is a bad article. Many people in the US don’t know a lot about Bulgaria. This is a way to show that we are the same like them – and yes, drinking is normal in Bulgaria, and you can do it before turning 21 😉
I think you are both right. At the end of the day it depends on the IQ of the reader..Some will say we are useless drunks. Others will envy our freedom to have a social life that Americans will never be able to have…The important thing is that we know who we are and nobody can change that!
Nora,
Principno si prava v tova, koeto pishesh. Jurnalistwt nelovko se e opital da pridade i nyakakwv socialen otenwk na statiyata si, koyato inche bi tryabvalo da e interesna za amerikancite i da im otvori malko ochite… Specialno za sravnenieto s Borat – may sami sme si vinovni s tazi chalga, deto sme ya vwzprieli za noviya ni folklor i se opitvame da vpechatlim sveta s neya…
Imay swshto predvid, che za 15 godini neshtata sa se promenili strashno mnogo. Az swshto jivyah v Studentski grad tochno po tova vreme (90-92), daje moje da sme se zasichali nyakwde iz “Ceco Spasov” ;-). Sega mnogo obicham da minavam s kolata prez tam, dori swm vodil chujdestranni gosti da vidyat tova unikalno myasto. Nesluchayno avtorwt na statiyata e vpechatlen i go opisva imenno v golyam vestnik kato NYT. Naistina e kato edin ojiven kurort s lwskavi superluksozni zavedeniya i poruteni, razpadashti se hoteli. Kontrastwt e neveroyaten… E, haresva mi da minavam prez tam i zaradi izobilieto ot krasivi momicheta po trotoarite i peshehodnite pwteki, no tova e druga tema 😎 …
Loshoto e, che u mladite se nablyudava edna tendenciya kwm “amerikanizaciya.” Nie piehme (i prodwljavame da piem 😉 po malko, obiknoveno s nyakakvo meze, za udovolstvie i za socialen kontakt. Sega vse poveche hlapetii piyat imenno s cel da se napiyat i na drugiya den da razkazvat na priyatelite kak ne pomnyat nishtichko ili kakva prostotiya sa napravili. Nivoto v uchilishta i universiteti e ryazko ponijeno – ne samo zaradi pieneto, razbira se… I vse pak si e hubavo… Donyakwde im zavijdam na decata, che imat shansa da jiveyat v Studentski grad v takova unikalno vreme…
Ники,
всяко време е уникално 😉 Аз така си мислех за първите детски асамблеи (1979, 1982), после за перестройката. Сетне за промените. Сега също е уникално. Единственото, което е уникално, поне до момента е колко дълго време ни дърпа назад комплексът за малоценност, за малката нация…
?? другото, което също ми прави впечатление е, че като предложи?? една идея в България, първото, което чува?? е: “А, тази няма да стане”. В САЩ ще чуе??: “Какво ти трябва, за да я осъществи??”. Но това е доста далеч от темата за Студентския град 😉