Ten countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region joined the European Union in 2004. Two more new members from southeast Europe (Bulgaria and Romania) joined in January 2007. ...Given the diverse range of political, economic, social, and cultural contexts of these nations, EU enlargement and integration processes have entered a new phase of complexity. In this article, I analyze the cultural policy developments in eight of the new EU member states (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia), examine in detail state and nonstate cultural funding patterns, and assess the influence of EU policy-especially with regard to the Culture Program, Structural Funds, and European cultural cooperation initiatives-for its impact on cultural policy development in the new member states. Next, I discuss the new forms of pan-European cultural cooperation, focusing on the development of networks, foundation initiatives, and observatories. Finally, I explore issues in development of cultural policy in the new member states and conclude with recommendations for the future of the enlarged EU.
Bulgarian society is multicultural and multiethnic, a fact very much linked with the historical and cultural roots of the country. The current paper outlines the main problematics linked with the ...concept of social cohesion in Bulgaria. Social cohesion is discussed in three main contexts: (1) cohesion for the sake of a national cause, where the unique "Chitalista" cultural and community system plays a key role; (2) reconciliation between ethnic groups, who live in peace and avoid conflicts; and (3) social stratification, difficult economic conditions, and absence of a middle class as serious burdens for building a cohesive society. The paper also discusses the role of voluntary organizations, media, and education in encouraging social cohesion in a time of democratic change.
For the first time, a macrophyte-based assessment of ecological status was related to the accumulated heavy metals and trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in aquatic ...plants. Three moss and two vascular plant species were applied as biomonitors:
Hedw.,
(Hedw.) Warnst.,
(Hedw.) Dixon, invasive
Michx., and
L. Three streams were assessed as good at a high ecological status which correlated with low contamination based on calculated contamination factors (CFs) and metal pollution index (MPI). Two sites evaluated in moderate ecological status were revealed to be in heavy trace element contamination. The most significant was the accumulation of moss samples from the Chepelarska River under mining impact. Mercury exceeded the environmental quality standard (EQS) for biota in three of the studied upland river sites.
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