A prison in the wide open

Svetla joined Kukuryak from the very beginning to learn more about computers and stayed because of the group’s activities. This is the second photo exhibition she participates in.

When we went to the lake in Druzhba to take pictures, a volunteer noticed a large cage and asked if anyone wanted to photograph it or be photographed in it. Svetla said she wanted a picture of herself in the cage because that’s how she feels in Bulgaria. She later described the photo as follows: «I feel like I’m in prison, there is no freedom.»

Together, we discussed how many Bulgarians leave the country to look for better-paid jobs, but also because it is difficult to keep mental health here, as people are looking for a more peaceful life. When she was young, it was difficult for ordinary people to get into prestigious state high schools. Svetla was one of the few who managed to get into an elite English-language high school without connections.