THE GHOST OF THE PRESENT

HD video / 21 Photography on Paper / 2014

HDV / 15.00 min / 16:9 / Stereo / Dialogue: Bulgarian, English / Subtitles: English

Directed, Screenplay, Edited, Sound Design: Simo Saarikoski / Camera: Simo Saarikoski, Vassil Garnizov / Interviewees: Simeon Abanos, Iva Todorova / Translations: Lora Dimova

“Video follows the protests against government corruption in Bulgaria at summer 2013. Although Bulgaria has been a member of the EU since 2007, living conditions have not changed as expected, at least not for ordinary citizens. The average wage is among the lowest in the EU, and outward migration of working-age population to more affluent parts of Europe continues unabated from year to year. Combined with frustration with the conduct of the political elite, this has led the people to take to the streets to demand real change. The video draws a parallel between the experiences of two generations. The Communist regime that stayed in power up to 1989 is symbolized by the massive Buzludzha monument and its dilapidated present condition. Meanwhile, the younger generation protests against current stagnation. The video concentrates on two sites: the main stage of protests, the streets of the capital, Sofia, and the surroundings of the Buzludzha Monument in the Stara Planina mountains.”

  
FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS
2017 Videokanava Online Exhibition
2016 Videokanava Festival 2016: Third Space, Helsinki / Arthouse Cinema Niagara, Tampere / Titanik Gallery, Turku / Finland
2016 Kiasma Theater / Helsinki, Finland (Abyss -Festival)
2014 Gallery Rajatila, Tampere / Finland (Exhibition)
2014 MUU Gallery Studio, Helsinki / Finland (Exhibition)

Photography on paper (55×70 & 40×60 cm) 

Exhibition view at Gallery Rajatila 2014