Bulgaria is constantly changing, say the founders of the Bulgaria Wants You initiative. For the past five years, they have been holding motivational meetings and discussions with Bulgarians living abroad, showing them a different side to their homeland and the opportunities it offers for personal fulfilment and a good life.

Although thousands of Bulgarians have returned to their homeland after living in Germany, England, Italy and Spain, the organisers expect to see the real results of their efforts in ten years' time.

A major event in Sofia bearing the slogan ‘Bulgaria on Five Oceans’ celebrated the fifth anniversary of the launch of the ‘Bulgaria Wants You’ initiative. Bulgarian companies and institutions from various sectors participated with the aim of encouraging ambitious young people looking to fulfil their potential in Bulgaria to join their teams.

"The standard of living and social benefits in Bulgaria are now high enough for people to start returning. Why do I say this? Because the vast majority of people we met abroad have an emotional need to return,' said Ivan Hristov, one of the founders of the initiative, in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. He added, 'This emotional need must be matched by practical conditions for it to happen. We are currently observing two facts, not mere populist rhetoric or wishful thinking: The first is that Bulgaria is slowly and steadily developing: incomes are increasing and unemployment is falling. The second process — and we must be completely honest about it — is that Europe is not currently in the best shape. As Bulgaria is moving slightly upwards while Europe is stagnating, we are catching up faster than we otherwise would. This is why many people would return, including those in Germany, because the reasons that made our compatriots leave for Germany in the first place are no longer valid there.”

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Although the campaign is meeting its goals, Ivan Hristov remains realistic. Significant change takes more than three to five years, and Bulgaria is still dealing with a long-standing issue that emerged at the beginning of the transition from communism to democracy.

“The roots of today’s grim realities — elderly people living in dire conditions in care homes, the high number of traffic fatalities, and society’s general sense of aimlessness — were planted in the early '90s by our own government. We raised a generation that believes that owning a nice car gives you the right of way. That same generation learned that the more money you have, the more untouchable you become. The issues we face today are, in many ways, the consequences of those early choices.’

In response to this, Ivan Hristov and Andrey Arnaudov founded the ‘Movement for a National Cause’, the precursor to the current initiative.

"We wanted to open Bulgarians’ eyes and give them a national goal. Today, we’re one of the few Balkan countries without one. But even more crucial is the issue of our declining population — and the urgent need to fight depopulation. ‘Bulgaria Wants You’ is a continuation of that effort. On one hand, we aim to encourage population growth; on the other, we want to do what much of Europe is already doing — attract people from abroad. We estimate that around 3 million Bulgarians live outside the country. If even a portion of them chose to return, they could play a vital role in Bulgaria’s progress.”

Successful Bulgarians from a range of fields shared stories of professional success and personal happiness built in Bulgaria, including the icon of Bulgarian cinema and theatre, Tsvetana Maneva. She appeared on the 'Lessons and Successes' panel alongside Samuel Finzi, a Bulgarian actor who has built a remarkable career in Germany.

“Bulgaria deserves everything that each and every one of us wants for it, except, of course, for those without dignity or good intentions,” said Maneva emphatically. The actress also revealed a little-known moment from the beginning of her career: she was offered a 10-year contract to work in Hollywood, primarily on a James Bond film. However, she admits that action films are not her favourite genre and turned down the offer because she felt too connected to Bulgaria and her family.

Everyone wants their country to be beautiful and prosperous, and its people to be hospitable and hard-working. Bulgaria is a state of mind. Somewhere deep down, where they say the soul resides, that’s where it lies. This is my home and my country, and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way. Bulgaria deserves the best.”

There is hope that more Bulgarians living abroad will feel the call of their homeland in their hearts. Until then, 'Bulgaria Wants You' will remind them that there are reasons to return and build a life here. A forum entitled 'Career and Life – Why Bulgaria?' will be held in Paris on 19 June, followed by events in Madrid on 7 October and The Hague on 9 November.