There is a link between the quality of life in a certain country and the satisfaction of citizens with the way democracy works there. In countries where the quality of life is lower, there is dissatisfaction with the current political system. This conclusion has been made by experts from the Centre for the Study of Democracy in Bulgaria, who analysed the results of a survey in 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In it, respondents compare the benefits of being free or adhering to traditional national values. The survey was conducted by the Bratislava-based GLOBSEC institute, as the results of the survey in Bulgaria are alarming.

The conclusion of the analysts that most Bulgarians prefer an authoritarian regime to a liberal democracy is noteworthy. They are ready to give up freedom of speech or movement in exchange for financial gain or more security in the country. A worrying fact about Bulgaria is that in the form of protection of apparent traditional values, violence against people of different ethnic, religious and other grounds is justified.

The conversation here should begin with the topic of words - they have extraordinary power. Therefore, when it comes to the attitude towards traditional values, it must be clarified which traditional values are in question. Because it is very important to refer to the same concepts, says Dr. Radosveta Stamenkova from the Family Planning Association, in an interview for Hristo Botev channel of the Bulgarian National Radio:

"We, Bulgarians, really want some change and something good to happen to us, but at the same time we are always afraid that something wrong might happen - that's how we live in this dilemma. The first cliché that comes to mind is what we are used to hearing at school that Bulgarians are very hardworking and extremely hospitable. However, whether hospitality and diligence are our traditional values, or are they something we really want to be, but we are actually not, and in fact this is only our wishful thinking. If I am asked about positive traditional values, I would like to believe that as such value we hold the care for the poor and the weak - to help those in need. I would like to believe that from a family point of view, the traditional value is to take care of your elderly parents, to support them when they are nearing the end of their lives, or if there is a sick family member. I want to believe that our traditional value is to raise and educate children with love, support and the idea of helping our children spread their wings and fly.”

We need to explain what traditional values are and what we build our universe on, says Dr. Stamenkova and gives as an example the so-called “shopska salad” that everyone in Bulgaria likes – and whether this can be regarded as an authentic Bulgarian value since it was actually invented in the recipe book of Balkantourist, the state-owned travel company, 50 years ago.

"I ask another question - is the traditional round dance (“horo”) in front of the National Theatre in Sofia, which has appeared in recent years, a traditional value? However, I think that the traditional value of this nice place is to go to the theatre. I want to believe that our traditional values are support and help in our society, not the oppression of some members of family and society at the expense of others”.

There is a thin line between the different classes in Bulgaria - a thin social layer that is at the top of the pyramid and another larger layer that is fighting in some cases even for its physical survival. Then, when you are fighting for your daily portion of bread, then you do not have time to think about values, to interpret false news, to focus on spiritual elevation, and so on. It is good for people in the family, parents and children, to talk to each other and listen to each other, because this is the foundation on which reading comprehension and the creation of critical thinking develop. So even if you argue, it's better than no conversation at all. "

Edited by Gergana Mancheva