site.btaBulgarian Associations Condemn "Shopi Ethnicity" Narrative in Serbia

Eight Bulgarian cultural and educational organizations from Bosilegrad, Tsaribrod, Zvonce, Vranje, Pirot, and Nis have issued an open letter addressed to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Ombudsman Zoran Pasalic, the Council of Europe Delegation, the OSCE Mission, and the embassies of various EU member states, the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway.

The letter strongly condemns efforts to challenge the national identity of Bulgarians in Serbia, alleging the promotion of an artificial ethnic divide under the concept of a so-called "Shopi ethnicity." These areas, part of Serbia's Western Outlands (territory ceded by Bulgaria under the Treaty of Neuilly), have traditionally been inhabited by Bulgarians.

The letter highlights concerns over media content and publications that promote pseudo-scientific theories about the "Shopi ethnicity." Specific examples include TV programs like RTS’s Squaring the Circle, Who are the Shopi from the Shopi Salad by N1, and books like Skrivena istorija Šopa – Šopologija and by Jovan Igic. The signatories argue that these narratives distort historical facts, undermine Bulgarian identity, and contravene Serbia's Constitution and minority rights laws.

A key point of contention is the support provided by the National Council of the Bulgarian National Minority, the Municipality of Bosilegrad, and the Hristo Botev National Library in Bosilegrad for A Book about Bosilegrad – Notes from the Past by Ivan Mitic. The letter accuses the National Council of funding a publication that undermines Bulgarian history and identity, violating its constitutional duty to protect minority rights.

"The National Council of the Bulgarian National Minority, with its irresponsible behaviour, legitimizes anti-Bulgarian views, creates tension within the Bulgarian community and in Serbian-Bulgarian relations, and harms Serbia's negotiations for European Union membership," the letter says.

The organizations call on Serbian authorities and international bodies to address what they describe as increasing cases of denial, discrimination, and assimilation targeting Bulgarians in Serbia. They argue that such actions jeopardize constitutional protections for minorities and further strain bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Serbia.