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Transnational mythscapes and the (new) Enlighteners: young Bulgarian skilled migrants in the UK

This study explores the transnational mythscapes of young Bulgarian skilled migrants in the UK and their role as the (new) enlighteners. Through multi-sited ethnography and interviews, it examines their perspectives on national identity, ambitions, and contributions to Bulgaria.

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Transnational mythscapes and the (new) Enlighteners: young Bulgarian skilled migrants in the UK

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  1. Transnational mythscapes and the (new) Enlighteners: young Bulgarian skilled migrants in the UK Elena Genova- School of Sociology and Social Policy Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  2. Overview: Context The study On myths Transnational mythscapes A transnational mythscape: UK myths A transnational mythscape: BG myths The (new) Enlighteners Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  3. Context: Pre- EU accession Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  4. Context: January 1st 2014 Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  5. The Study: Multi-sited ethnography: 37 semi-structured interviews Young professionals and students Various location across England, Scotland and Wales Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  6. On Myths Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  7. (Transnational) mythscapes ‘[…] a mythscape can be conceived as the discursive realm, constituted by and through temporal and spatial dimensions, in which the myths of the nation are forged, transmitted, reconstructed and negotiated constantly’ (Bell, 2003, p. 75) Transnational mythscapes? Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  8. A Transnational Mythscape: BG ‘Question: What are the two solutions to the crisis in Bulgaria? Answer: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport’(Bozhidarov, 2012) Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  9. A Transnational Mythscape: UK ‘Post- colonial melancholia’ (Gilroy, 2006 ) Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  10. The (new) Enlighteners: Who are they? The First Bulgarian Revival- 18th century The Second Bulgarian Revival? Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  11. The (new) Enlighteners: A Success Story ‘My goal is […] to get the best possible education and one day to apply it in such a way which will benefit my people’ (Delyan, 21, m) Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  12. The (new) Enlighteners as Ambassadors ‘We are not traitors at all because we carry the Bulgarian within us and nobody is hiding or ashamed of the fact that they are Bulgarian. Right on the contrary. I would say we even resound our country with what we do’ (Ignat, 20, m) Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  13. The (new) Enlighteners as Ambassadors Be the ‘best Bulgarian’: ‘I have been thinking lot about the fact that I always explicitly say that I am Bulgarian. I almost view it as a cause. I mean, in spite of people who suck, I label myself as a Bulgarian and I try to be the best version of myself and of a Bulgarian that someone can meet’ (Kamelia, 20, f) Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  14. The (new) Enlighteners and national identity ‘I am Bulgarian and I belong to Bulgaria. Despite the fact that I never limited myself to stay in the country. And I will keep on doing things for Bulgaria’. (Vasil, 23, m) Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  15. References: Barthes, R. (2006). Myth Today. In Storey, J. (ed). Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader, Volume 1.(3rd ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, pp. 293- 302. Bauman, Z. (2007). Liquid Fear: Living in an Age of Uncertainty. Cambridge: Polity Press. Bell, D. S. A. (2003). Mythscapes: Memory, Mythology, and National Identity, British Journal of Sociology, 54 (1), pp. 63-81 Bozhidarov, D. (2012). Samo dva izhoda ot krizata- terminal 1 I terminal 2, [Only two exits from the crisis: terminal 1 and terminal 2], Webcafe [online]. Retrieved from http://www.webcafe.bg/id_1342784288. Craven, N. & Arbuthnott, G. (2013). Thousands of Bulgarians and Romanians ‘plan to flood the UK in 2014’ as employment restrictions relax. Available on TheMail [online]. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268952/Thousands-Bulgarians-Romanians-plan-flood-UK-2014-employment-restrictions-relax.html. Delanty, G. (2008). Fear of Others: social exclusion and the European crisis of solidarity, Social Policy and Administration, 42 (6), 676- 690. Dimitrov, I. (2013). D-r Ivan Gadzhev: Davaha mi $2 mln za arhiva na emigratsiata. [Dr Ivan Gadzhev: I was offered $2mln for the emigration archives]. Available on the 168 Chasa [online]. Retrieved from http://www.168chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=897013 . Gilroy, P. (2006). Multiculture in times of war, Critical Quarterly, 48 (4), 27- 45. Mahmood, M. (2013). Bonus Bulgar benefits rackets exposed, The Sun [online]. Retrieved from http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4845502/Bonus-Bulgarian-benefits-rackets-exposed-by-The-Sun.html. Markova, E. (2010). EmigratsiatanabulgarivuvVelikobritania: London I Brighton, v Tendentsii v TransgranichnataMigratsianaRabotnaSila I SvobodnotoDvizheniena Hora- Efektiza Bulgaria [Bulgarian emigration to Britain: London and Brighton. In Tendencies of the Transnational Migration of Labour Power and Free Movement of People- Effects on Bulgaria ] (129- 161). Sofia: Open Society Institute. Però, D. (2008). Political engagement of Latin Americans in the UK: issues, strategies, and the public debate, Focaal- European Journal of Anthropology, 51, 73-90. Pickering, M. (2001). Stereotyping: The Politics of Representation. Basingstoke: Palgrave. Seiter, E. (1986). Stereotypes and the media, Journal of Communication, spring, 14- 26. Soodin, V. (2013). Crazed Bulgarian Who Beheaded Brit Gran is Found Guilty, The Sun [online]. Retrieved from http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4808294/crazed-bulgarian-who-beheaded-brit-gran-in-tenerife-is-found-guilty.html. The Telegraph. (2013). Bulgarian Midwife Almost Injected New- Born Baby with Lethal Air Bubble, The Telegraph, [online]. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9853058/Bulgarian-midwife-almost-injected-new-born-baby-with-lethal-air-bubble.html. Triandafyllidou, A. (2006). Nations, migrants and transnational identifications: an interactive approach to nationalism. In G. Delanty & K. Kumar (eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Nations and Nationalism (pp. 285- 294). London: SAGE Publications. Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

  16. Thank you for your attention! For further queries, please send an email to : lqxesgen@nottingham.ac.uk Myth(s) in the Social Sciences and Humanities, University of York

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