The Future of National Identity in Bulgaria: The Role of Communication with “Others” for the Formation of Supranational Identity

The article is grounded in a 2021 national survey exploring the modern identity of Bulgarian citizens, undertaken as part of the National and European Dimensions of the Modern Identity of Bulgarian Citizens project, supported by the National Science Fund. It delves into the shifts occurring in the national identity of Bulgarians amid increased global mobility and communication between ethnicities and nations. This trend challenges traditional notions of national borders, eroding the insularity of national cultures and fostering a sense of supranational identity. Comparing two regions within Bulgaria—the Veliko Tarnovo district, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Bulgarians, and the Kardzhali district, characterized by an ethnically diverse populace, with a notable Turkish ethnic majority—the article examines the evolution of these processes. Despite signs suggesting a weakening of national identity and the emergence of supranational identities (such as European or global citizen) alongside indications of local identity formation, the research findings reveal that, presently, national identity remains the primary and guiding factor in the self-identification of Bulgarian citizens