Współczesny bułgarski obraz bałkańskich sąsiadów – między swoim a obcym (na materiale bułgarskich internetowych forów dyskusyjnych)
The contemporary picture of the Balkan neighbour: between US and THEM. The case of Bulgarian Internet discussion fora

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the images entertained by contemporary Bulgarians of the neighbouring Balkan countries and nations. The analysis is based on posts on Bulgarian Internet fora. The images in question turn out to be diversified. Some internauts have typically stereotypical pictures of their neighbours: the pictures reflect historical events and are generally negative, though to different degrees. Several posts are based on personal experience and contemporary events, which in turn produces positive images of the neighbours and suggests that the older stereotypes are undergoing modifications. Of all the Balkans, the most diversified is the image of Macedonians, while the most conspicuous positive-vs.-negative valuation can be detected in the image of Serbs and Serbia. The picture of Turks and Turkey involves a certain paradox: internauts are “surprised” at their own positive valuation of that neighbour, which stands in opposition to the traditional Bulgarian stereotype of Turkey as an enemy and oppressor. The most negative and monolithic is the image of Greeks and Greece. The least interesting neighbour are Romanians. Relationships of this sort in the Balkans are usually bad but Internet fora reveal a new type of thinking on the subject, departure from historical prejudices and orientation towards the present. This attitude can be observed in posts of those who advocate modern thinking and a greater interest in the lives of the neighbours.

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