Impact of Abandonment on Communities

The phenomenon of abandonment is highlighted through the story of Turkmen, Bulgaria, once a bustling village now reduced to fewer than 200 residents. After the fall of communism, many people migrated to cities for work, leading to the closure of local businesses and schools, leaving only the post office as a vestige of community life. The drastic population decline reflects a broader trend seen in other rural areas, with nearly 300 villages abandoned and over 1,000 having fewer than 30 inhabitants. This has resulted in empty homes remaining preserved in a state of stasis, filled with personal belongings, which symbolizes the loss of vibrant communal life.