ABOUT STARA ZAGORA CITY AND 'LOZENETS' ROMA REGION

Lozenets region is situated in the northern outskirts of Stara Zagora city. It is a region with multiethnic population, including Bulgarians, Gypsies and Turkish people, but predominantly Gypsies. Lozenets region is thickly populated and marginalized region, having a population of about 22 000 – 24 000 inhabitants. The birth-rate and the death-rate among this population are very high. The region is geographically, ethnically and culturally segregated from society. The existing geographic, ethnical and cultural barriers are preventing the population from a successful integration into society.

Education

The greater part of the population is without education or with a very low level of education. A great part of the people are even completely illiterate. The main reason for this condition of theirs is the ethnic mentality, characterized by the lack of understanding concerning the value of education and this leads to limiting the people in their individual and cultural development.

As of today, there are two public schools in the region, one of which is not functioning, and the level of education in the other is unsatisfying in view of the contemporary standards in the society in which we are living.

Social aspect

The greater part of the population has minimal income. The number of socially week people and families is prevailing. The majority of people is unemployed or has inconstant and uncertain jobs. 

Economic aspect

According to the Bulgarian standard of urbanization, this region is considered a city within the city, because a great part of the cities in Bulgaria are with a population of 5 000 to 10 000. 

Cultural aspect