AN ATTEMPT TO DEFINE THE CONTEMPORARY DIASPORA

Abstract

It is well known that the term "diaspora" entered scientific literature after the 1970s as a designation for a large ethnic group that leaves its country of residence and migrates to another country (host country). With regard to the diaspora and its settlement in other countries, Bulgarian science uses the chronological principle: depending on the migration and the more permanent settlement of Bulgarians, Bulgarian communities are divided into historical and contemporary ones. Thus, the historical diaspora was formed in more distant historical periods and before the final determination of Bulgaria's borders after World War II. The contemporary diaspora is associated with migration in the 20th century, and in more recent studies, the term "contemporary" diaspora refers to emigration after the changes in 1989. A review of the individual statements and observations of researchers shows that by "contemporary" diaspora, researchers mainly refer to the creation of Bulgarian communities in Western European countries, the US, and Canada—these are communities that are subject to more detailed study. The proposed periodization of migration processes after 1989 is also discussed, with a focus on the most recent phenomena. The article also highlights other Bulgarian communities, such as those in Cyprus and Dubai, with their characteristic forms of expression and creation of cultural institutions – schools, festivals, etc.