Today in Expat Stories we have the pleasure to share with you the Bulgarian experience of Yakov Shustov. He was born in Moscow, Russian Federation, were he worked as a journalist, was a columnist in the magazine “Communal complex of Russia” for more than 10 years. He was engaged in photo reports on the website ” liberty.ru.” Worked in the editorial office of culture in the magazine “Sense”.
In Bulgaria, he tried to write for the Russian media. But didn’t work as expected.
Now he has changed his attention to photography. because for him the visual rendering of the image can say much more than words.
Now he is engaged in the study of the past and present of Bulgaria and implementing the knowledge he has gained during this years.
His plan is to create a virtual guide to the history and culture of Bulgaria and the history of Bulgarian photography.
Now he is collecting material for this project. And at the same time, he shows his work on the Facebook page – “Варна. През погледа на един чужденец” – or “Varna, through the sight of a foreigner” where he shows great pictures of Varna landscapes, traditional places, and events that occur in our city.
Why and when you decide to move to Bulgaria?
The first time I came to Bulgaria 6 years ago and then decided to live in this country. There is no just one reason for this, there is a set of reasons. Moscow made a very depressing impression on me. My mother and sister died and I decided to change not only the place of residence but the country. And now I don’t want to leave at all. It is possible that Varna resembles the cities invented by my favorite writer of my youth Alexander Green. No wonder the best screen version of his novel “Running on the waves” filmed in Bulgaria.
What do you like about your country of origen?
My country of origin of Russia is a very interesting cultural addition of layers. If you take the culture of the socialist era, there was a lot of things of interest. But also was subjected to censorship. Before people
What are some differences between your country and Bulgaria?
The difference between Bulgaria and Russia probably in the duration of the Communist rule. In Russia this rule led to irreversible changes, Bulgaria managed to preserve its national identity. And now Russia the re-made national identity with a new “Marvel Universe”.
What do you like about Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, I like Nature and People. Bulgaria has a very peaceful atmosphere. The people are warm and friendly. However, they have features typical for the character of Aleko Konstantinov, Bay Ganyo. There is nothing wrong with that, the peasant cunning of this character is very cute. Of course, the Bulgarians themselves are accustomed to its outlandish for visitors from Russia.
Residents of the city of Varna features, in my opinion, the romanticism associated with the traditional sailors.
If I start listing in detail, it will be longer than the list of ships from Homer’s “Iliad”.
What was the most difficult bureacratic procedure you have undergone so far in Bulgaria?
I’m used to bureaucratic procedures. With good legal assistance and instructions, bureaucratic procedures are not complicated.
Mention one important experience you’ve had in Bulgaria :
Visiting unfamiliar places without knowing the language and lack of orientation. I would call it “the experience of a dervish”.
Do you speak other languages?
I have a very bad perception of languages. I even do not always understand the Russians, if they are from another area.
I have virtually no experience of visiting other countries. Even during the existence of the USSR, was in socialist countries. They seemed to be the same as the USSR, only shop signs in their languages. Now with pleasure, I go to Romania. But not in cities, I prefer wild nature.
What advice would you give to other people who would like to come to live in Bulgaria?
Regarding moving to Bulgaria, I would advise enjoying a simple life. As the essayist, Henry David Thoreau said on his book “Walden; or, Life in the Woods”.
Thanks Y
