The Social Contacts of a Bulgarian Village.

Various explanations have been offered for the conservatism of the Bulgarian villagers who live in close proximity to and under the apparent influence of Sofia, the country's chief city. A study of the contacts which these villagers have with the "outside world" shows that even when they visit Sofia they still move in a peasant world and fail to break through the psychological barrier separating them from the urban dweller. The "outside world" in visiting the village usually comes in holiday mood, either as returned relatives for a week end, as hikers climbing the mountain in extreme sport styles, or as summer guests enjoying the fine climate. Such visitors take little pains to interpret city ways to the solemn peasant. A few salesmen, officials, artisans, and entertainers make their appearance during the year but leave little impact upon the social structure of the village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]