„Чикаго – българският град“ – поглед отвън и отвътре

Author(s): Dilyana Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2016

By using the methods of the ethnological research, the present article presents the dynamic of the state of the Bulgarian community in Chicago and its manifestations,as well as the reasons behind the designation of Chicago as the „Bulgarian city“not only by the local Bulgarian group but by the „others“ as well – the society, the authorities and the media in the United States. The study focuses on the spaces ofthe Bulgarians in Chicago and the metropolis, the representative institutions of thecommunity – its churches, schools, cultural and public institutions, the media, thefeasts, the events as well as the places of memory. As a certain manifestation of self-confidence and successful integration of the local Bulgarians in the multiculturalenvironment of Chicago, the article analyses also the book „Chicago – the BulgarianCity“ in which the Bulgarian community describes and identifies itself. This book as well as the examination of the social life and cultural activities of the Bulgarians in Chicago and the suburbs show that the diaspora is interwoven in the American social structure but at the same time maintains its own parallel structure which fits the American nation with its specific character.

За изследователските полета на градската етнология

Author(s): Nikolay Nenov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2016

Кръгла маса в чест на 80-годишнината на доц. д-р Ганка Михайлова

Author(s): Valentina Sharlanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2016

Жертвоприношение, дар и молитва – ритуалът на поднасяне на дарове към планинското божество сред едно тибетско племе в региона Амдо

Author(s): Su Faxiang,Wаng Yuewei / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2016

Marcel Mauss’ works on the social facts of sacrifice, gift and pray formed the fundamental concepts and theories for anthropological studies about the reciprocity between humans and gods and the contract principal in gift exchange. This paper will focus on a sacrificial ritual to mountain god in a Tibetan tribe and discuss the relations between the three concepts, to illustrate that in this kind of ritual, although sacrificesare nonliving beings rather than animals, the intensity of other steps still stay at asimilar level with classical sacrificial ritual with animal sacrifices; and in the ethics of reciprocal principal, the form of gift exchange in this sacrificial ritual shows obvious „merit“ and „karma“ values which has representativeness in Buddhist societies.

Street art a graffiti v kontextu města

Author(s): Adam Wiesner / Language(s): Czech Issue: 1/2019

The paper presents data from interviews conducted in 2006–2007 with four repre- sentatives of the Prague street art and graffiti scene who worked in the Czech capital city at the beginning of the 2000s. Part of the article deals with creative activities in the Prague subway where most of the interviewed authors created their works. The author thus offers the perspective of the authors of the Prague street art and graffiti scenes and presents their view of the (il)legal works of art from around ten years ago in the context of the current discourse in social sciences. Over the last twenty years, this discourse has evolved to such an extent that it now enables to see the phenome- non of urban public works of art as a phenomenon full of paradoxes. Graffiti and street art therefore cannot be interpreted only from the point of view of legality or the art of resistance. Their definition must remain sufficiently open, since certain ambivalence, contradiction and ghostliness are characteristic of it equally as of life in a modern global city that is inherently tied to it.

Sintagmas mixtos (español-inglés, rumano-inglés) de alta frecuencia en el sector de los viajes

Author(s): Mihaela Ciobanu / Language(s): Spanish Issue: 1/2021

Many of the words used today in the tourism field come from English. Despite the existence of similar concepts in Spanish and Romanian, today people tend to use English words for all levels of specialization. This preference can be translated as an image of globalization, a characteristic of tourism on all levels and sectors, which does not complicate the decodifying process of the message considering the existence of equivalent explanations, phrases or terms, all of it easing the access to a specialized level in tourism.

Digital Discrimination Risks in the Transformation of Higher Education

Author(s): Silviya Beloeva,Nataliya Venelinova / Language(s): English Issue: 5s/2024

Digital discrimination is a form of discrimination that occurs in a digital environment or through the application of automated solutions, often based on artificial intelligence, which creates conditions for unfair, unethical, or simply different treatment based on selected data on certain feature. In conditions of the digital transformation of higher education, multiculturalism, and globalization, higher education institutions face the challenge of ensuring equity and equal treatment for all staff and students in both traditional and digital environments. Тhis report examines the potential for the emergence of digital discrimination in applying various digital educational approaches and forms in higher education, commenting on the need to prepare plans and programs to prevent digital discrimination in an academic environment.

Оценяване въздействието на традиционния и модулния модел на обучение в професионалното образование по софтуерно инженерство

Author(s): Milena Damesova,Desislava Baeva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5s/2024

The traditional approach to modern software engineering training often emphasizes theoretical knowledge and practical skills within the context of long-term courses, some lasting up to 2 academic terms. However, in recent years, the modular approach has been gaining popularity. This approach offers a more flexible and focused structure, typically lasting only about 2 months, allowing learners to concentrate on specific topics and skills. Тhis paper presented а pedagogical experiment, the analysis of which confirms that the study subjects taught using the modular approach statistically achieved significantly higher scores in the areas of programming, software architecture and software testing compared to students taught using the traditional approach.

Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions for Digital Transformation of the Educational Processes through 3D Technologies

Author(s): Georgi Hristov,Plamen Zahariev,Diyana Kinaneva,Georgi Georgiev / Language(s): English Issue: 5s/2024

The modern 3D technologies allow the development and visualization of three-dimensional objects and environments in the digital world, as well as the physical recreation of the digital contents through various specialized systems and solutions. The 3D technologies have the potential to catalyse the digital transformation of the education, through the technologies for virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D printing. Using these technologies, the teachers can change not only the way they conduct classes, but also the methods for learning and studying of the students. The integration of the 3D technologies in the educational processes is characterized not only by many new opportunities, which they are offering, but also by the big number of challenges, which they present. For this reason, this publication presents the main opportunities, challenges and solutions for digital transformation of the educational processes through the use of the various 3D technologies.

Анализ на програмните модели за автоматизиране на когнитивни процеси

Author(s): Valentin Atanasov,Aneliya Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5s/2024

The current definition of the hardware-program implementation defining mathematical models for cognitive-process domains, in other words, announced as the trading-based name "Artificial Intelligence", could raise serious arguments. The main reason for this issue is rooted in the entirely non-engineering aspect in which such models are being presented to the public with an intentional incarnation of non-existent functionality. There is a rising trend of user access and usage of such technology, which reaches nearly 1.8 billion visits per month. Rapidly spreading boundaries of potential application of the trading-based name “аrtificial intelligence” covers vast areas of human activity. It should be denoted that in certain cases a parallel could be made between discoveries made in the exact sciences and the consequences of their incomplete understanding and application – for example, the underestimated risk of radium-226 application, which consequences were wrongly ignored. It is important for humanity not to repeat the same mistake and despite the euphoria of "artificial intelligence", it is necessary to refine the concepts and pay attention to the semantic, generative, and anthropological problems that the invasion of this technology poses.

MORAL CHALLENGES IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Author(s): Anca Delia Dabija / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 39/2024

When the idea of the utility of philosophy is uttered, most of the times the collective imaginary remains trapped in the nets of the ironic, of the naive, even that of the aggressive. The purely scientific knowledge receives unconditional credit, while the points of morality, of the philosophical and practical ethics, being left in the background. Today, the accent is placed especially on the practical utility followed by the immediate application of epistemological concepts against the philosophical meditation and the fundamental interogations about the being, the existance, the becoming. The evolution of current society has been propelled by the unrestricted circulation of information, which led to social, economic and political transformations, boosted by the emergence of new technologies. The virtual space that we make use of, facilitates the act of comunication, leaving behind temporal, spatial, cultural-lingvistic frontiers. This informational vortex created at the same time possibilities to remove the human from moral authentic values, leading, often, to imbalance and chaos. The moral deficiencies mirrored in human’s choices and deeds bring back to the fore the obvious need for ethical benchmarks. The current interpersonale relations are really deficient; although we leave in the digital era, we not a precariousness of the act of communication, a poverty at the level of natural dialogue at a significant distance of ethical values. Through the proposed research, we are triyng to emphasise and argument the importance of knowing and applying the axiological and normative contents of moral philosophy in a technopolis paradigm.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. A LOOK AT ASIA

Author(s): Oana Alexandra Alexa / Language(s): English Issue: 25 Special/2022

In the larger context of globalisation and internationalization, navigating business operations in a multicultural environment is no easy task. The Far East has always fascinated the West through the uniqueness of its traditions, while at the same time remaining mysterious and rather difficult to assimilate for those who have not experienced culture shock before. Therefore, this paper strives to emphasise the importance of familiarising business students with the key issues related to cultural awareness and communication, focusing on Asian cultures in contrast to the Western world since, in the light of the latest political and economic developments leading to an ever-increasing Chinese dominance, they will undoubtedly be putting that information to good use.

Bohemizmy czy latynizmy? Jak potwierdzać lub wykluczać pośrednictwo przy zapożyczeniach

Author(s): Jan Jakub German / Language(s): Polish Issue: 12/2024

The paper focuses on Old Polish loanwords of Latin origin connected to religious terminology. Many works on this topic assume that most of these loanwords were borrowed via Czech mediation. However, in recent years, the thesis about the Czech origin of Polish Christianity has been disputed. In this paper I discuss the types of arguments that can be used to confirm or exclude the possibility of Czech mediation for the discussed loanwords: phonetic, morphological, semantic, orthographic, chronological, and extralinguistic arguments. Each type of argument is described, followed by examples from the Old Polish material and evaluated (ex. gr. the phonetic argumentation is generally more useful and compelling than orthographical). In the conclusions I point out the difficulties concerning the study on the possible Czech mediation (relatinization, similarity between Old Czech and Old Polish), and I give examples of loans where mediation can neither be ruled out nor confirmed using any of the arguments mentioned in the article.

HUMAN SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION AND THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION IN CRIME PREVENTION

Author(s): Iulia Bulea / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

Migration has become a pivotal global phenomenon, raising crucial concerns about human security and crime prevention. This article delves into the interconnectedness between human security and migration, emphasizing the importance of institutional cooperation in addressing these challenges. Human security, encompassing economic, social, political, and cultural dimensions, is a multi-faceted concept that becomes particularly relevant when discussing migration. Migrants often face vulnerabilities, such as exploitation, discrimination, and socio-economic instability, which can lead to heightened risks for both individuals and communities.A significant focus of the article is the role of institutional collaboration in enhancing human security and preventing crimes related to migration, such as human trafficking, smuggling, and organized crime. Government agencies, international organizations, and NGOs play a key role in managing these issues, ensuring that migration is handled in a way that minimizes risks while promoting safety and inclusion. Successful case studies of interagency collaboration highlight how information sharing, joint training, and coordinated intervention strategies have led to positive outcomes in safeguarding both migrants and local populations.However, the article also explores the challenges that hinder effective collaboration, such as resource constraints, conflicting interests, and coordination gaps. Restrictive migration policies can exacerbate these issues, making it more difficult for institutions to work together efficiently and placing additional strain on human security.To overcome these challenges, the article suggests strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering cross-agency communication platforms, and promoting education to raise awareness and reduce biases against migrants. A shift toward migration policies that prioritize human security is also recommended, aiming to protect both national interests and migrant rights, creating a safer, more inclusive environment for all involved

BETWEEN THE SACRED AND THE VIOLENT: THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL MOVEMENT AND THE NEW PARADIGM OF TERRORISM

Author(s): Iulian Dinulescu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

The Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) is an ultra-nationalist and extremist organization that combines imperialist ideology with a rigid view of Russian Orthodoxy. The RIM's distinctive feature is the use of religious symbolism to legitimize both its political goals and violent actions, including involvement in armed conflict and acts of terrorism. The group is known for providing paramilitary training to far-right extremists in Europe, contributing to violent attacks such as the Sweden bombings.Although designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union, RIM continues to operate relatively freely in Russia, gaining influence through propaganda and recruitment activities. The movement advocates a vision of Russia as a pure Orthodox nation engaged in a sacred confrontation against what it perceives as decadent and demonic Western values.This article explores the dynamics between religion, nationalism, and political violence within RIM, showing how Orthodox symbolism is instrumentalized to support an extremist agenda. RIM is not only a political movement, but also an ideological force that combines religious radicalism with imperialist goals, generating significant global security risks through collaboration with other extremist groups and by disseminating its messages through social media.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE FIGHT FOR HEARTS AND MINDS: GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN INFLUENCE TOOL

Author(s): Dorel DANCIU / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

Social networks are important tools at the hands of political actors due to the direct connection with voters. Candidates and campaign teams can easily send messages to voters and can also see how they react to those messages and access the personal data available in each account. From the aggregation of this data through specific technical instruments, it is also possible to obtain segmented voting profiles. Campaign teams can thus adapt their communication flow to the expectations of the electorate and develop campaign strategies based on data. In the era of digital revolution, political actors' use of generative artificial intelligence through social media gives them the ability to create personalized messages, but also to accurately estimate their impact on individuals and groups. Different state and non-state entities can interfere with ongoing campaigns, influencing the electorate by favoring certain political actors and jeopardizing the democratic practices that should govern the electoral process.

RANSOMWARE IN THE AGE OF AI: NAVIGATING CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN HYBRID WARFARE

Author(s): Claudia-Alecsandra GABRIAN / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

While the volume of ransomware threats continues to escalate around the world, AI revolutionizes the landscape of cyber offense and defense. Ransomware now evolves into an even more flexible and complex weapon, enabled through AI, morphing into a tool to attack critical infrastructure by state-sponsored opponents. Attackers leverage automation, adaptive encryption, and advanced phishing, whereas defenders employ AI-driven predictive algorithms, behavioral analysis capabilities, and real-time anomaly detection. On the one hand, AI for defense is limited by the vulnerability to adversarial attacks and rapid evolution of malware-both very serious challenges. The case studies will present the ransomware's role in hybrid warfare heighten national security risks and geopolitics. Argument: AI has transformed ransomware from a simple form of cyber extortion into an effective weapon for destabilizing the key infrastructures of a nation. Why it matters: Resilient knowledge of this evolution will be the knowledge that is needed for developing resilient cybersecurity strategies. Main question: What constitutes ransomware as a feasible hybrid tool of war? Objective: Identify and evaluate the challenges AI-driven ransomware presents for cybersecurity in hybrid warfare. Literature Review: A review of recent studies on the application of AI within the context of ransomware and hybrid warfare, reports on ransomware attacks and groups of cybercriminals. Data Analysis: Reviewed trends in the evolution of ransomware, AI development, and hybrid warfare strategies.

TYPES OF MIGRATION

Author(s): Zinica Maria Bejan / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 40/2025

Migration is an inevitable global phenomenon that reflects people's needs and aspirations for a better life. Proper migration management can turn this process into a factor of progress and development for all parties involved. Brain-drain migration is one of the existing migration types, and as a result, the concept of brain-waste is also divided. In addition, migration may be temporary or definitive, voluntary or involuntary. Despite not being legally regulated, migration caused by environmental conditions has become an increasingly prevalent topic in specialized works.It is essential that states and communities work together to find solutions that respect the rights and dignity of migrants while contributing to the well-being of their host societies. Regardless of the type of migration, this phenomenon remains a global challenge with a profound impact on society and the economy. While the destination countries take advantage of the talent and knowledge of specialists, the origin countries lose essential resources. An integrated strategy, including internal policies and international cooperation, is necessary to balance the effects of this phenomenon.

AI AND EDUCATION. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE CONTROVERSIAL

Author(s): Alexandra Maria Rogoz / Language(s): English Issue: 40/2025

The emergence of AI into the mainstream media at the end of 2022 is not by far the first instance of AI for free use and interaction with the general population. However, it is the first time marking the emergence of an AI that can follow prompts and construct texts that mimic the writing of humans, emulating a journalistic style in writing texts that can, with ease, be attributed to a person. The refinement of the query the person inputs into the chat bar is not only taken into account (to varying degrees of success), but the AI remembers the previous prompt, and can perfect it if the person interacting with it so requires and requests. The result in the educational field is, of course, that numerous students resort to the Chat-GPT AI for the elaboration of their essays, as well as for the purpose of cheating during tests. However, certain impediments arise in the usage of such methods. Namely, Chat-GPT does answer the query of the person soliciting information, however, it is not always correct, though it is delivered with the pretense of correctness. Moreover, there have been several tools developed with the purpose of identifying the origin of presumably human-written texts, such as Turnitin’s AI-detection tool. The present paper aims to discuss the issues arising from this Generative Artificial Information with respect to academia and academic integrity, with a focus on student assessments and how they need to be modified in order to account for the existence of such tools that facilitate plagiarism.

GLOBALIZATION AND CULTURAL RESILLIENCE: OPORTUNITY OR THREAT?

Author(s): Doina David / Language(s): English Issue: 40/2025

This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of globalization from the perspective of its profound influence on world cultures, generating both opportunities and threats. On the one hand, globalization facilitates the exchange of ideas, cultural diversity, and access to new perspectives, contributing to the evolution of collective identities. On the other hand, cultural homogenization and the dominance of Western models can lead to the erosion of local traditions and the loss of national identities. From this perspective, we analyze the process of cultural resilience, which becomes essential for communities, enabling them to adapt to global changes without losing their specificity. Thus, globalization can be both an opportunity for cultural enrichment and a threat to diversity, depending on each society’s ability to protect and capitalize on its cultural heritage.