Government Policy towards the Roma Communities of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire to the People’s Republic
Government Policy towards the Roma Communities of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire to the People’s Republic

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the policies of successive regimes towards the Roma communities of Bulgaria, encompassing the Ottoman period, the independent Kingdom of Bulgaria from 1878 to 1944 and the period of Communist rule from 1944 to 1989. Throughout, an attempt is made to identify and understand the themes and motivations behind various policies, arguing that while successive regimes frequently implemented similar policies, the underlying intentions were often significantly different. This article also attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies, and to identify and explain the brief periods where oppression was relaxed and Roma culture and identity was actively promoted.

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