"I saw two different Bulgarias. One is neglected and being destroyed. The other is orderly and impeccable, offering hope, not only capable of claiming participation in unions like the EU and the Eurozone but also of being a leader."
With these words, Austrian activist Alexander Ehrlich commented on what he saw on the ground in Bulgaria in the villages of Neofit Rilski, Belogradets, and Kalimantsi.

He stated that he was completely shocked by the massive landfill near the village of the director of the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) – Varna, Erdjan Ebatin. He found it hard to believe that such a thing could happen in an EU country that is just months away from joining the Eurozone.

Equally disturbing to him was the vast illegal dump near Kalimantsi, where tons of construction waste are dumped daily. According to him, the monstrous part is that this is happening not just in these two villages but all over Bulgaria.

He commented that Bulgarian authorities should have “done their homework” before applying to join any union – and that homework is cleaning up the mess. Something that hasn't been done.

Ehrlich added that in the West, the Varna region is portrayed as a beach destination catering to both the wealthy and the poor, while everything away from the coast is overlooked. Nevertheless, his impression is that with proper promotion, the region’s inland could attract thousands of tourists thanks to its beautiful nature and many landmarks.

The activist also stated that since 2020, across Europe, small and medium-sized businesses have either been trampled or left to fend for themselves – unless state funds and political protection support them. At the same time, he expressed admiration for what has been built in Neofit Rilski village, saying that in many other parts of Europe, restoring existing castles and fortresses is either comparable in cost or even more expensive than what has been newly constructed from scratch in Vetrino Municipality – all without state or municipal funding.

Check the attached video for more.
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