Читалищата и библиотеките като носители на културен капитал и фактор за социалната устойчивост на местните общности в периферен район
Chitalishta and Libraries as Carriers of Cultural Capitaland Factors in the Social Sustainability of Local Communities in a Peripheral Region

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the role of 39 chitalishta (community cultural centres) and their libraries as institutions that embody cultural and social capital in four Bulgarian municipalities – Gotse Delchev, Garmen, Hadzidimovo, and Satovcha. Two pilot composite indices are introduced: a Chitalishte Activity Index, incorporating events, artistic ensembles, project activity, membership, and staffing; and a Library Activity Index, weighting usage, cultural activity, capacity, and development/innovation. Results reveal uneven distribution of institutional activity independent of network density: Hadzhidimovo has the highest number of chitalishta per capita but the lowest activity index, while Gotse Delchev and Satovcha demonstrate stronger and more balanced performance across both chitalishta and libraries. A typology of libraries is proposed based on comparative indicators. The study contributes an empirical and methodological basis for further research on cultural infrastructure in peripheral regions.

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