Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Office Bulgaria Analyses

Dr. Lilia Sazonova Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

Integrating the principles of cultural diversity in all public policies, mechanisms and practices means to consider the cultural differences and to know the needs and capacities of a certain country’s or town’s citizens to “absorb” a certain vision for development, as well as actively involving the local population in decision making.

In modern heterogeneous communities there are diverse groups with different interests and that is why it is insufficient for urban development planning to solve only physical problems, but should also take into account the socio-cultural elements, part of the so called “soft infrastructure” – traditions, lifestyles, desires and necessities of the communities directly affected by the plan.

Markets are by definition diverse and the “residents” of the Ladies’ Market seem to want to change the statute of the market space – to tame its dynamics and to refuse meeting the Other person. Practi- cally they oppose the multiple stalls, the noise and the representatives of minorities with a different lifestyle to theirs, because they are trying to improve their standard of living and to increase the price of their properties. But on a more fundamental ontological level, by insisting on re-constructing the market, the proprietors seem to try to change the ownership of the territory, to make it their own again.

The contraction or disappearance of public spaces like the Ladies’ Market and the related lack of dialogue and “places” for negotiation is not only a geographical or urban development problem. It has worrying social and anthropological consequences as it leads to alienation and indicates a deficit of the offered resources and mechanisms for active participation in society’s life.

In the current model of intercultural coexistence on the Ladies’ Market there are weaknesses and disadvantages on which one could and should work. But a drastic change of function or size after reconstruction may lead to devastating results as it is probably the one place in the capital where communication between different ethnicities is most intensive. It is also the space where the most successful integration and financial independence of Roma and Turkish minorities have been self-realized. This looks like a good basis for future (sustainable) development, which is evermore topical with the tendency of a rising number of immigrants in the country. January 2014

Imprint Orders All texts are available online Friedrich Ebert Foundation e-mail: [email protected] www.fes.bg Office Bulgaria Att.: Emilia Burgaslieva 97, Knjaz Boris I St. The views expressed in this publication 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria are not necessarily those of the Responsible: Translation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung or of the Regine Schubert, Director Marianna Hill organization for which the author works. Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 1

Contents

1. Introduction...... 2 2. Conceptual development of the idea of the cultural dimensions of sustainable development...... 4 2.1 Key concept definitions...... 4 2.1.1 Sustainable development...... 4 2.1.2 Definition of the concept of “culture”...... 4 2.1.3 Cultural aspect of sustainable development...... 5 2.2 Historical development of the concept of cultural aspects of sustainable development...... 9 2.3 Three models of relating culture to sustainable development...... 9 2.3.1 Traditional model...... 9 2.3.2 The fourth pillar of sustainability...... 10 2.3.3 The Four Well-beings of Sustainability...... 11 3. Cultural aspects of urban planning: reconstruction of the Ladies’ Market...... 11 3.1 Change from global to local...... 11 3.2 “Hard” and “Soft” infrastructure...... 13 3.3 The market as a heterogeneous space, where we meet “the others”...... 14 3.3.1 Culturally and historically, the marketplaces are a focal point for dialogue...... 14 3.3.1.1 The Bulgarian situation on the market...... 15 3.4 Coexistence of diverse cultures as a sign of cultural sustainability...... 18 4. Conclusion...... 19 5. Bibliography...... ? 2 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

1. Introduction the necessity was recognized of a more precise differentiation and thus introducing the cul- The topic of sustainable development has be- tural dimension of sustainable development. It come more and more current over the past is worth noting, that the need of recognizing decades. Nevertheless, the question what ex- the cultural aspect is acknowledged not only actly does sustainable development mean in by the academia, but also by some representa- the cultural field, has been poorly researched tives of the autochthonous population. – a more significant number of analysis is de- In order to attempt a thorough analysis voted to its other aspects – economic, ecolog- of this innovative topic of the fourth pillar – ical and even social. The bibliographical refer- culture – of the sustainable development, this ences and interviews with experts, working in study is divided in two parts – (1) theoretical the sustainable development area, carried out and (2) applied. for the purposes of this study, indicate that In the first part of this study we shall define the cultural aspect of sustainable develop- the basic terms, creating the conceptual frame ment is faintly recognizable or hard to distin- of the analysis. These are: “sustainable devel- guish from the social one.1 opment”, focusing on its cultural aspects; “cul- The unequal amount of “light” shed on the ture”, interpreted not only as “art” but also as different foreshortenings towards sustainable a “space” where meanings, perceptions and development has its own historical reasons. Let epistemologies are created, in which identities us be reminded that the word “sustainability”, are developed, etc. In order to achieve termi- from which the term “sustainable develop- nological clarity, sustainable development will ment” is derived, comes from a forestry term in be compared to and differentiated from other the West German group of languages. For cen- similar terms, such as market ecology, green turies, it was used to denote a feature of good development or eco-centric model. maintenance of forests – i.e. for the purpose of In addition to the theoretical deconstruc- what we would call today “environment”. tion of the concept, attention will be drawn As this notion developed and was charged to how the concept itself is represented at an with the modern concept of sustainable devel- institutional level. This is why policies, plans, opment in the 70’s and 80’s of the 20th century, programs and actions (Rio Declaration, Agen- the strictly ecological connotation expanded da 21, Program 21 for culture and etc.) will be and started being understood holistically – as referred to. Specific cases will be introduced the interdependence of several subsystems. and, when possible, current examples from However, at first only three subsystems or areas the EU and Bulgaria will be given. of sustainable development were discussed – In the second part of the analysis an at- economic, ecological and social. Only recently tempt will be made to demonstrate in details how the theoretical formulations of the cul- 1 As a result of bibliographical research we identified 636 texts tural pillar of sustainable development, de- in Bulgarian, related to sustainable development at large. Less than ten of them treat to some extent its cultural aspect, fo- scribed in the first part, are put into practice. cusing mainly on the connection between cultural inheritance and sustainable development without understanding the term Special attention will be devoted to how prin- “culture” as a whole. See for example Mareva 2009: 117-122 ciples of sustainable development are applied or Katsarov 2012: 265 -269. Among articles in Bulgarian, re- ferring directly and in depth to the cultural aspect of sustain- at a local level when developing urban envi- able development, are these by Hristova 2011: 221-227, Kanev 2013. Although there are more authors outside Bulgaria, who ronment. The case with the reconstruction of are working on the cultural aspect of sustainable development, the Ladies’ Market will be examined, as it is an foreign language analysis on this subject are still at an initial phase – which the authors recognize themselves. emblematic place for solving urban develop- Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 3 ment issues in the capital city. A contribution first group covers market customers, the sec- to this study is the empirical material, gath- ond – stand (or kiosk) merchants, the third ered over a period of several months, in the one comprises experts, engaged with a posi- form of field work, by means of which we will tion on the reconstruction of the market and try to illustrate to what extent the cultural as- the fourth group involves citizens, related to pect of sustainable development is taken into the Ladies’ Market (janitors, people spending account when transforming this urban space. their spare time in the adjacent gardens, pass- In respect of methodology, our approach- ersby, children at the market). es will be analytical, multicultural, historical Interviews with vendors and experts were and philosophical, comparative analysis, in- mostly carried out in a scheduled appoint- depth interviews, participating observation ment (in some cases a series of appointments) and others. The circle of authors and works, lasting from 1 to 3 hours. The length of the in dialogue, by means of which we will search interviews with the first and the fourth group for the rationalization of the cultural aspect was up to one hour. of sustainable development, will also include It is appropriate to make an important positions, coming from different areas – an- proviso before proceeding with the analy- thropology, philosophy, law, history, political sis. Although sustainable development as a studies and ecology. At the same time, due whole is a term used actively throughout the to the profound conviction of the author that academic discourse, as well as the political the examined problem requires not only ab- and regulatory rhetoric, the subject of its cul- stract speculations, but also rationalization of tural aspect is still novel in foreign language actually occurring processes, we will use em- literature and even more so in its analysis in pirical material too. It was submitted in the Bulgaria. The interpretation of the cultural form of works of other authors in this area, as aspect of sustainable development is a debut well as a result of personal field research – (1) for the author of this study too, which is why during the Traveling University for Practices our attitude was to open the scope for de- of Sustainable Development in the Region of bate on the topic with this text. In this context Northwestern Bulgaria June 2013 and (2) dur- the analysis does not claim to be exhaustive ing field work on the Ladies’ Market in the in terms of information and presented points period May – September 2013. of view, but rather aims to offer to the Bul- Considering the focus of this study, which garian audience some basic theoretical reflec- we have chosen to put on the Ladies’ Mar- tions on the connection between culture and ket, we think it would be appropriate to share sustainable development, as well as make an in brief the working process during our field attempt for surveying these thoughts in se- examination there. For the purposes of this lected fragments from Bulgarian reality. study we used quality methods: 27 semi-structured interviews, most of them videotaped, some archived as audio (due to the respondents’ reluctance to be videotaped), informal conversations with people, who are related to the market, and personal field observations. In general, the interviews can be divided into 4 groups, depending on the respondents’ relation to the market. The 4 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

Part 1 ior (as citizens, consumers, etc.). Perceiving the world as an interlinked system – both in tem- 2. Conceptual development of the poral (the link between present and future) and idea of the cultural dimensions in spatial terms (sustainable development sug- of sustainable development gests developing a global consciousness – ren- dering an account of and caring for the needs 2.1 Key concept definitions of citizens in need in the developing countries) Before proceeding to the actual part of this is characteristic for this development. study we should define what we understand when we use terms such as “sustainable de- 2.1.2 Definition of the concept of “culture” velopment”, “culture” and “cultural aspect of The second concept we will discuss – “cul- sustainable development”. ture”, has a particularly broad semantic scope of meanings. On the one hand, this makes it 2.1.1 Sustainable development very hard to define, but on the other it makes We will briefly outline the first concept based its definition very important in order to avoid on the assumption that it has become widely inaccuracy or mixing up different meanings. popular over the past decades. The most often According to Packalen it is precisely poor dif- cited definition of the term “sustainable devel- ferentiation of separate interpretations of cul- opment” is the one given in 1987 in the report ture that makes the concept vague and hard “Our common future” by the World Commis- to understand, which could be the reason sion on Environment and Development with for marginalizing the role of culture when it the UN, also known as the “Brundtland” re- comes to the concept of sustainable develop- port. According to the report “Sustainable ment (Packalen 2010: 119). development is development that meets the For the purposes of this study we will dif- needs of the present without compromising ferentiate two uses of the term – a narrower the ability of future generations to meet their and a broader one. own needs.” (World Commission on Environ- In the context of the concept of sustain- ment and Development 1987: 43) able development the narrow definition of the According to another definition, for a cer- term “culture” can refer to cultural heritage or tain development to be sustainable, it should various artistic activities. According to Giddens not only aim to improve the quality of life, but (1993: 31) in everyday talk we often under- also be in compliance with the capacity of the stand culture as an equivalent to more sublime ecosystems (and the Earth as a whole) to endure things in the spiritual field. Darlow (1996: 293) that process. Darlow insets the definition, em- states that a narrower definition of the term phasizing that sustainable development should concerns the so called “high art” – opera, clas- not be understood in a narrow way – only re- sical music, fine art, etc. Packalen in turn de- lated to the environment, but also as relevant fines culture in its narrow meaning as encom- to life quality in all its aspects – in the present as passing all traditional elements that are part of well as in the future (Darlow 1996: 292). a given cultural policy – theater, cinema, music, Based on these definitions we can conclude architecture, literature, museums, etc. In other that sustainable development suggests thinking words, when we use the narrower meaning of not only in the short-term but also in mid- and the term we will sight tangible or intangible long-term horizon on the levels of international cultural heritage; a product or an activity, re- and national policies and of individual behav- lated to art and/or cultural industries. Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 5

According to the broader definition of es; it is connected with what really matters to the term, culture is often interpreted as in- people and communities: relationships, mem- tertwined with all aspects of the life of ory, experiences, identities, origins, hopes and people and communities, as well as related dreams in their entire diversity. Above all, our to their values. In this broad meaning, cul- culture expresses our vision for the future: ture is looked upon from an anthropological what we want to give to future generations. perspective – through the prism of peoples’ Our culture connects our present with and communities’ values, norms, traditions, our past, as well as with the future that we practices, attitudes and etc. In 1995 UNESCO imagine. Through culture we make contacts, published a definition of culture as “the set meaning and value networks, as well as of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual friendship and interest ones, bringing us to- and emotional features of society or a social gether in time, space and community. group. It encompasses, in addition to art and Our culture describes the ways we tell our literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, stories to each another, how we understand fundamental human rights, value systems, ourselves, remember who we are, imagine traditions and beliefs” (UNESCO 1995: 22). who we want to be, how we rest, how we Williams insets that culture expresses dif- celebrate, how we argue, how we raise our ferent meanings and values not only in art and children, the space we create for ourselves. science, but also in regard to institutional and Our culture is an expression of our goal everyday behavior (Williams 1976: 293, quote to be happy, to belong, to survive and mostly in Darlow 1996: 293). Montgomery defines to be creative. culture as a “way of life”, including the way Hawkes goes on that the main task of cul- we eat, live, communicate, spend vacations ture is the social creation of meanings, which and etc. (Montgomery 1990: 17-24). represents the most important human act and One of the first proponents of the cul- should be understood and fostered in the pro- tural aspect of sustainable development – Jon cess of organizing the community in all areas – Hawkes suggests a more in-depth view of the economic, social and ecologic. This thesis – of term. According to him, culture includes: (1) culture as an all-encompassing frame for sus- our values and strives; (2) the ways we de- tainable development policies, as a fourth pil- velop, get and give forth these values and lar of sustainability, linked to diversity, creativity (3) lifestyles, generated by these processes and prosperity – will be discussed in greater (Hawkes 2003). We take the liberty to pres- detail in the second part of this chapter. ent an broader quote from the definition of culture, provided by Hawkes, as it gives a dif- 2.1.3 Cultural aspects of ferent point of view on the concept. The style sustainable development in which it is delivered – different from other As Packalen concluded, not long ago environ- formal and strictly scientific definitions – man- ment related issues were looked upon mainly ages to express the core of culture in an intui- from a technical or biological aspect – i.e. in tive way and is in harmony with the new ho- the context of problems like: energy crisis, quo- listic mindset that the concept of sustainable tas for greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels, development presumes: endangered species, felling rainforests, glaciers Our culture embodies the meaning we melting, etc. Respectively people, involved in give to our lives; it is based on the values we these debates, were mostly politicians, envi- share and the ways we accept our differenc- ronmentalists or other experts, but not com- 6 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

mon citizens. According to him, if we want to velopment in an even more fundamental way. involve in the discussion bigger groups of peo- As stated in Report 4 of UNESCO, “the role of ple, who are not experts in this area and make culture for sustainable development is mostly the topic of sustainable development more un- in including the cultural perspective in all pub- derstandable for them, we should take notice lic policies. It is what gives us a guarantee that of its cultural dimension in a greater degree every process of sustainable development has than ever before (Packalеn 2010:119). a soul.” (Report 4: Culture and sustainable de- What is this dimension? Based on the two velopment 2009: 6) definitions of the term “culture” we could In this line of thought, the broader defi- differentiate two directions for searching for nition of culture provides a second, deeper the cultural aspect of sustainable develop- layer, at which level one should look for the ment. If we consider the narrow definition, cultural aspect of sustainable development. then we could review different variations of Let us be reminded that a persons’ own point interrelation between art and sustainable de- of view is formed in the cultural sphere – on velopment. The International Organisation of himself, on nature, on other people. In this Arts Councils and Culture Agencies lists some sense culture influences attitudes, values and possible intersections: (1) Artistic initiatives, practices, underpinning every human action. demonstrating new approaches to social Packalen claims that not only values and life and ecological problems, (2) Promoting good models are culturally determined, but so is practices of energy management, implement- everything else we do, including our actions ed by art organizations working in the area of made for an economic gain, our achieve- construction and etc. (Hartley 2009) ments in science, technology, education and There are numerous examples of pro-ac- etc. (Packalen 2010: 119). Cultural identity tive attitude by artists or artistic organizations forms and stalls in the cultural sphere; it is with respect to environmental issues. Not long also the space where we meet and negotiate ago, for instance, in the City Garden in Sofia or refuse to communicate with the Others. an art installation was exhibited with melting Sustainable development itself is a new ice cubes and big panels, showing numbers paradigm, linked to a change in priorities that about the water usage by countries and con- humanity sets, with a constant realization of tinents. The installation had a great impact our way of thinking and living compared to a with its visual message for saving water. future horizon. Therefore, Packalen goes on, Nevertheless we should note that the inter- culture is needed as an interspace in which action between culture and sustainable devel- communication and actions, necessary for opment couldn’t be exhausted with initiatives achieving sustainable development in the eco- in which artists alarm about climate change or logical, economic and social area, are realized. with the establishment of cultural sites that are Thus the cultural aspect not only provides a in compliance with energy efficiency require- basis for sustainable development through ments or conservation of natural resources. rethinking and reflection on values and social Thus even though we acknowledge the impor- norms, but also creates the conditions for a tance of the connection between art and envi- new culture (Ibid.: 118-119). Packalen also ex- ronmental protection and the interdependence plains the importance of culture for sustainable of culture and economy – for instance through development with the fact that sustainable the revenues that cultural industries bring to development is an idea, derived from the field the economy – the cultural aspect impacts de- of regulation, hence it could easily become Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 7 plain ideology, an ossified system. As already vironment and social cohesion. (Culture and mentioned, the cultural sphere is a space for sustainable development 2009: 7) dialogue, for creative approach and diversity It is important to point out that the cultur- and thus it allows flexible new viewpoints to- al dimension is associated with acquiring flex- wards development, therefore should be able ibility and aligning development policies with to prevent sustainable development turning the local context (manners, models of com- into a frozen lifeless doctrine. (Ibid.: 121). munication and of life, values and customs of The cultural aspect of sustainable devel- the local population) of the place where they opment is associated with implementation will be applied. In every mindset or concept, of the principles of art, intercultural dia- there is already a certain cultural prerequisite logue and cultural diversity in international, – whoever observes the world reflects his/her national and regional development policies. view on the idea he/she proposes. The sus- For this reason UNESCO is working on a dual tainable development concept also has an approach towards culture in its strategy for already embedded perspective, a certain un- supporting sustainable development. On the derstanding of what “development” is. This one hand the organization develops a policy, is generally a perspective of “Western” cul- aimed at the cultural sector itself, answering ture, accepting that certain (co)relations are the needs of adequate legislation, training for wanted, others not. cultural administering, mediation and manag- But when this point of view is imposed ing cultural resources. By cultural sector one on a local community, it could also contradict means heritage, creativity, cultural industries, the principles of sustainable development be- crafts and cultural tourism. One should clarify cause it (the community) becomes dependent that in addition to tangible, the cultural heri- on external resources, new values and is not tage could be intangible – i.e. these are the vital and capable of maintaining its balance practices, knowledge, traditions and experi- and development over time. I.e. the cultural ences, passing from generation to generation aspect of sustainable development in this and helping conserving the sense of appurte- case could help by raising the awareness of nance and identity to a given community. An the actors involved that they are not leaders, example for intangible heritage from Bulgaria guiding according to predetermined abstract that is already enlisted in UNESCOs list of principles, but rather facilitators (in the best world masterpieces are the Bistritsa Grannies case), who should consult with and be guided (Бистришките баби) and the Nestinarstvo by the realities, needs and strategies for get- (Нестинарството). The new nominations for ting things done at a local level. our country in 2014 in the sphere of tradition- The balance between being guided by the al craftsmanship are the Chiprovtsi carpets principles of sustainable development and and in the traditional holidays and customs – complying and harkening at the specifics of the National holiday Surva in Pernik2. the local is an expression of sensibility toward On the other hand UNESCO aims to en- the cultural aspect. Otherwise there is a risk sure that culture is taken into account in all that the strategy for sustainable development development policies, especially those linked be recognized by the local population as an to education, science, communications, en- artificially introduced unsustainable claim for applying a “miraculous” formula for develop- 2 For more information see Bulgaria – Intangible Cultural Heri- ment. Thus behind formulations like “inte- tage, Official website of UNESCO, http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00311&cp=BG , November 2013. grating the principles of cultural diversity” in 8 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

all public policies, mechanisms and practices, practices. On the other hand the construction actually lies the awareness of cultural differ- initiative is not an example of sustainable de- ences, knowing the needs and capacities of velopment at all, as it does not build on the a certain country’s or town’s citizens to “ab- already existing resources of the town, but sorb” a certain vision for development, as well rather creates new urban planning problems, as active involvement the local population in which must be solved later. decision making. The definition of the concept “culture” There are a number of examples for devel- determines the perception of a certain type of opment policies (without it necessarily being cultural policy. Yencken (Yencken, Foreword sustainable) that are not in line either with the in Hawkes 2001), Bianchini (Bianchini 1993) local context, or with the overall cultural strat- and Hájek (Hájek 2011) distinguish two types egy for the settlement. A current example for of cultural policy in general. On the one hand that kind of discrepancy is the construction of countries like Sweden (Yencken) or cities like an immense for the scale of Chiprovtsi stadi- Bologna or Rome (Hájek) accept the broad- um for over 5 million levs under the Program er definition of culture, while Anglo-Celtic for Rural Development.3 In itself the construc- countries take on the narrower definition and tion initiative is good, but when set against rather pursue an art policy than a cultural the context of the town it demonstrates an policy (Yencken: 4). In order to emphasize unsustainable approach, for a stadium with on the differences between the two policy such dimensions is far too big to serve the approaches Yencken recalls Hawkes’ under- needs of the local population. However the standing that a policy involved in art has an town does not have sufficient hotel beds for important place in the frame of cultural policy receiving town visitors to attend potential but the latter has a greater range and includes events at the stadium. Nor does the project protecting and promoting citizens to use their itself envisage construction with additional right of free expression, as well as their ac- hotels or guesthouses to take on an external cess to information and resources (ibidem). flow of visitors. Policy, aimed at assisting art (Hawkes 2001: This massive investment is not related to 33), supports the development of high, pro- another specificity of Chiprovtsi – the region fessional art. Yet it overlooks the importance is famous for its centuries-old tradition in of engaging all citizens in making culture and carpet making which, due to lack of invest- of their active participation in decision mak- ments, is under the risk of extinction. The ing - activities which improve the quality of local carpet making school, also with long- life and create a feeling of satisfaction, coher- lasting traditions, is having financial problems ence and prosperity in the community. and it is getting very difficult to train young An example of European policy for sus- people to take on the craft. In summary, on tainable development in the area of culture is one hand the stadium project does not take the European Capital of Culture initiative. The into account the cultural specificity of the re- European cultural event began in 1985 and gion – carpet-weaving traditions – thus show- ever since over 40 cities have been titled Capi- ing lack of an overall cultural vision by the lo- tal of Culture. According to Article 4 Decision cal authorities to preserve local identity and No 1622/2006/EC, one of the main criteria by which the candidate for Capital of Culture is 3 5 million BGN stadium is being built in Chiprovtsi, 24 Hours assessed is that the cultural program be sus- Daily, 21.06.2013, http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=2079872 tainable – to be an integral part of the long- Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 9 term cultural and social development of the Different researchers take on different ap- city.4 The reason behind this criterion is the proaches to culture – some treat it as a com- encouragement of cities to develop programs ponent of social sustainability, others accept it with long-term results. Thus although a given as the fourth pillar of sustainability and oth- city could be the European Capital of Culture ers yet think that culture penetrates the other for a period of half a year, preparation of the three pillars and influences them strongly. projects begins years before taking the title Here we shall present three such theoretical and artists should be integrated in developing models of its role. the place after the nomination has ended. 2.3 Three models of relating culture 2.2 Historical development of the to sustainable development concept of cultural aspects of sustainable development 2.3.1 Traditional model In numerous important documents, associ- Traditionally and up until recently, sustainable ated with sustainable development, culture development was perceived as a strategy for is either not present or only sporadically meeting the needs of citizens on Earth at the mentioned. Packalen gives an example with current moment, but also in further future, a fundamental document for sustainable and should be applied in three areas of soci- development such as the Rio Declaration ety. These three dimensions of development from 1992, where the word culture occurs are the ecologic, the social and the economic just once, moreover with respect to the in- spheres. The concept of sustainable develop- digenous people (in paragraph 22) (Packalen ment comes from understanding society and 2010: 119). A similar situation is observed the world overall as one organism. That is when the discourse on sustainable develop- why the three areas of development are only ment takes place at a local level. For example conditionally divided, as it is accepted that in the Local Agenda 21 or in the Charter of they are interconnected and interact con- European Towns and Cities, cultural sustain- stantly. And although the different areas are ability is rarely mentioned. And even though constantly tensing one another – sustainable in 1998 the term emerges during the World development occurs as a variable compro- Conference on Cultural Development Poli- mise between them (Hawkes 2001), they are cies, where people insisted that sustainable equally important. development and flourishing culture are in- The equality of economy, ecology and terrelated, its political acceptance is a lengthy social sphere makes this concept different process. Only at the beginning of the 21st from other similar ones, for example from century in the Agenda 21 for culture and in the Green development, where the ecologi- the Convention on the Protection and Pro- cal area dominates over the other two. For motion of the Diversity of Cultural Expres- instance, according to the theory of sustain- sions culture was accepted as equal to the able development, all actions for environ- other spheres (economy, ecology)5. mental protection are justified and sustainable only if their price is not too high for the

4 Decision 1622/2006/EC , http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ local population; according to green devel- LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:304:0001:0006:EN:PDF opment the ecological aspect is a priority 5 Also see Hájek, Oldřich, Jiří Novosák and Pavel Bednář (2011) Local Agenda 21 and Culture: Lessons from the Czech Repub- and should be protected even if it is not jus- lic, Culture and Local Governance / Culture et gouvernance locale, vol. 3, no. 1-2, 2011, S. 86 tifiable enough from both economic and so- 10 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

cial viewpoint. Another example for unequal be determined via consultation. And even distribution of priorities between the social though topics are distinguished in four pub- spheres is the theory of market environmen- lic spheres, like any living organism, there are talism, where only two of them – economic connections and crossovers between them – development and care for the environment moreover, according to him it is exactly this in- are highlighted, or the ecocentric model, terconnectivity between the pillars that makes where social and ecological aspects come to a society sustainable. the forefront at the expense of the economic His four pillar model not only includes ones, which are neglected. culture as an equal sphere, but also accepts In the classical model of sustainable devel- that the life quality of a certain community opment, culture is not understood as a sepa- is tightly connected to cultural commitment, rate area, which should be taken into account expression and dialogue in that community. when defining development policies. Sup- According to him the importance of cultural porters of this model most often use the nar- diversity for social sustainability is as great as rower definition of culture as art or heritage that of biodiversity for ecological sustainabil- and either ignore it or think of it only as a part ity. Hawkes says that “Diverse values should of the social sphere. not be respected just because we are a toler- ant folk, but because we must have a pool 2.3.2 The fourth pillar of sustainability of diverse perspectives in order to survive, to Cultural analyst Jon Hawkes accepts as a point adapt to changing condition, to embrace the of reference the already mentioned formula future.” (Hawkes 2001: 23). for sustainability as caring for future genera- We mentioned above the different ap- tions to inherit a world at least as abundant proaches toward cultural policy, which result as ours. Yet he notes that the question how from the differences in a given government’s to achieve such a world is the subject of con- understanding of the term “culture”. Hawkes stant debates and those debates are for val- goes further and disputes the need of cul- ues (Hawkes 2001: 20). And since values are tural policy itself. Since culture penetrates formed, expressed, negotiated and kept ex- every human action and all aspects of public actly in the cultural sphere, Hawkes concludes life, it should be included as a sort of cultural that culture is a key factor for achieving a sus- “lenses” or “filters” through which we can tainable society. rate every policy from the other three areas He motivates the cultural aspect of sus- of public planning – economy, ecology and tainable development in his concept of the social affairs – and should not be reduced Four pillars of sustainability. In 2001 Hawkes just to a one-sided policy in the sphere of art. published his thesis in the book “The fourth Hawkes discovers an important discrepancy pillar of sustainability: Culture’s essential role between theory and practice when formulat- in public planning”, where he reviews four ing cultural policies by governments – most equal elements in society – responsibility for of them are based on the broader definition the environment, economic health, social jus- of culture (as a value system) when reasoning tice and cultural vitality (Hawkes 2001). He their action plans and desirable purposes for accentuates on the principle of democracy society, but when it comes to implementing as a necessity for the good functioning of these policies authorities reduce their actions a community, which is why he believes that to the narrow meaning of culture (as a syn- the topics in each one of the pillars should onym for art) (Ibid.: 17). Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 11

At the level of practice, the concept of cul- According to the New Zealand’s Ministry’s ture as the fourth pillar of sustainable devel- definition, cultural well-being is the vitality opment is recognized and there are attempts that communities and individuals enjoy when to apply it in Canada, Australia, New Zealand participating in entertaining, creative and and some countries in Europe. cultural activities, as well as the freedom to maintain, interpret and express their art, his- Illustration 1 tory, heritage and traditions.

CULTURAL DIMENSION QUALITY OF LIFE Illustration 2

A New Zealand de nition ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL DEMENSION Four well-beings of community susla??? DIMENSION The Four Well-

beings of Community Cultural Environment Sustainability

Local Govt Act 2002 ECONOMIC Well-being DEMENSION

Economic Social

Source: New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Source: Catherine Runnals, 2006, MA thesis for Roy- Cultural well-being and local government, Report 1, 2006 al roads University; adapted from Jon Hawkes 2001

2.3.3 The Four Well-beings of Sustainability Part II The model of The Four Well-beings of Sustain- ability was developed by the New Zealand’s 3. Cultural aspects of urban planning: Ministry of Culture and Heritage in response Reconstruction of the Ladies’ Market to the Local Government Act 2002, according to which local authorities are responsible for 3.1 Change from global to local promoting social, economic, ecological and Initially sustainability was understood on a cultural well-being of communities – in the global and national scale, but recently its present and in the future. projections are looked for on a smaller scale Like the Four pillar model, the Four Well- – regarding cities and local authorities. The beings model has four public spheres, that requirement of applying principles of sus- have a role to play for achieving sustainable tainable development at local level was first development (including culture), and they are provided in the Local Agenda 21 and has lat- all looked upon as interrelated. The difference er on been included in numerous other doc- is that in the New Zealand’s model culture uments. Culture as a constitutive element is not understood as the basis for the other of sustainable urban development decision three areas. The overall community well-be- making, was recognized in the internation- ing (in the center of the illustration) increases al legal and political discourse as late as in when the following conditions are present: the last decade (for example in the Decade ● all four spheres are equally important of Education for Sustainable Development ● the spheres are interrelated 2005-2014) and the cultural aspect of local ● the spheres are mobile around the cen- sustainable development was defined for the ter for achieving greater efficacy first time in 2004 in the document Agenda 12 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

21 for culture6. Among the measures for ap- munities; 2) whether it would stimulate the plying sustainable decisions at a local level, community dialogue on quality of life, sustain- the wider dialog between diverse groups in ability and respect for diversity; 3) whether it order to mutually understand each-other’s contributes to respecting human rights. interests, social inclusion, long-term vision of In the field of practice the impact assess- local policies, taking into account the global ment should monitor the level on which com- vision when managing local resources, etc., munities recognize and have access to cultur- are mentioned. al processes and tools, as well as with what In order to foresee the impact of a cer- actions they participate in these processes. tain policy on the stakeholders, a common One should clarify that “The appropriation procedure in the field of ecology and eco- of information and its transformation into nomics now is to carry out an impact assess- knowledge by the citizens is a cultural act” ment. In this respect Hawkes considers that and also that the workplace is one of the prin- the decisions in the field of community plan- ciple spheres of human creativity (Agenda 21 ning should be subjected to a cultural impact for culture 2004: 9). assessment (Hawkes 2001: 41). He suggests In the sphere of results, Hawkes suggests that some of the questions one should ask to assess: 1) the manifestations of cultural ac- when determining the impact on culture tivities, initiated by communities; 2) what kind should be: 1) How did communities partici- of activities are they and is there public ac- pate in developing the actions, offered for as- cess to them; 3) how many and what kinds sessment? 2) To what extent do these actions of public resources are available for cultural reflect the values and lifestyles of the different activities and etc. groups of people they will affect? 3) Do these The current analysis does not claim to be actions improve the opportunities for partici- an exhaustive assessment of the cultural im- pation and interaction of communities? pact; it rather tries to shed light on key ele- Hawkes proceeds further with a detailed ments, part of this assessment, and even from analysis on how the evaluation of cultural im- generally every culture-sensitive policy for pact should be done and for this purpose dif- sustainable development. We have chosen to ferentiates between three aspects of culture: illustrate the concept of the cultural dimen- values (substance); processes and environment sion of sustainable development precisely at (practice); manifestations (results) (2001: 33). the level of urban policies, in order to make The impact analysis includes studying the effect the theoretical formulations more palpable a given decision or plan in the aforementioned and specific, by bringing them closest to the three areas would have on the community. level of our everyday life and experience. As Regarding the substance one should assess Hawkes points out design, regulation, main- the possible impact of the decision on 1) ex- tenance and management of places where pressing identities, strives and history of com- we meet other people – parks, plazas, streets, markets, swimming pools and etc., deeply affect the way we feel, think and act (Ibid: 38). 6 As of February 2012, there is no town in Bulgaria to have officially transposed the document in its town policies, but The Ladies’ Market is an emblematic place 3 organizations in the country are committed to supporting cultural policies – Community center “Lik” – Pleven, Regional in the capital’s center which allows for inter- Resource Center for Culture – Gabrovo and Foundation for esting interpretations of the subject of sustain- Urban Projects and Research. Source: Official web-page of Agenda 21 for culture: http://www.agenda21culture.net/in- ability – it has accommodated diverse cultures dex.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid= 62&lang=bg over the past century but is currently under Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 13 reconstruction with not very transparent pa- Spatial planning is often understood as a rameters, which makes its future unclear. Its technical task, free of values loads, and based transformation is criticized in the public space on precise tools, skills and mechanisms, re- regarding its social and ecological sustain- inforcing decisions for intervention in space ability. The architects from City Group note (ibid.: 102). The hidden belief, which is the that the reconstruction is about reducing the basis for this type of spatial planning, is that number of stalls, which from the social point when it follows precise regulations and pro- of view leads to job losses. They add that the cedures, the result will be well-being for the new vision of this urban space envisages cut- entire community. But in this way the fact ting down 9 trees, which has a direct impact is neglected that in modern heterogeneous on the environmental protection.7 In this line communities there are diverse groups with of thought, it is interesting to research how the different interests. That is why it is insufficient cultural aspects of sustainable development for transformations in urban space to solve have been considered (or neglected) in the re- only physical problems, if in doing so they cre- construction of this urban territory. ate new zones of tension and conflict. What is needed in these cases, as Hawkes 3.2. “Hard” and “soft” infrastructure also points out, is to undertake cultural analy- The first step in the process of planning should sis of forthcoming urban planning and recon- be to know and engage the values and needs struction policies in order to choose the opti- of those directly affected by the plan. Before mal variant for change. I.e. in terms of cultur- answering whether this condition has been al sustainability, urban planning should con- met regarding our subject of analysis, we will sist in a comprehensive approach, including introduce two terms – “hard” and “soft” in- “hard” (material) spatial planning and “soft” frastructure. Matjaz Ursic, who researched the (cultural) aspects of the environment – related compliance of spatial planning with cultural to the dynamics of cultural systems and local sustainability in Slovenia, notices a tendency communities. Only in this way can culture be in formal procedures of spatial planning to understood as a fourth pillar of sustainability neglect the importance of socio-cultural ele- and be taken into account for urban decisions ments, part of the so called “soft infrastruc- together with the economic, ecological and ture” – traditions, lifestyles, desires, as well as social considerations. routine activities of individuals, forming the lo- It is important to add that “soft” infrastruc- cal community. Even more obvious is the inca- ture or the cultural aspect should be taken into pacity of the formal system of urban planning account for both local groups, connected to the to respond adequately to the challenges when transformation site, as well as wider civil inter- there are confrontations between the domi- ests and the city culture as a whole. Regarding nant culture and the marginal groups. Ursic ar- the Ladies’ Market this rule for sustainability in gues that the deficits of current planning sys- decision-making could be illustrated easily. The tem in Slovenia cannot respond to challenges, decision for reconstruction was lobbied for by resulting from the modern cultural, social and a small group of citizens, living in the nearby economic transformations (Ursic 2011:101). area; it answers their needs for promoting the status of the neighborhood and the prices of their properties, thus, to some extent, it meets 7 See City Group (2013), The Ladies’ Market project: con- the requirement of “listening” to the needs of cealed truths, https://www.facebook.com/grupagrad.sofia/ posts/638262282860319 local groups. But to some extent, because an- 14 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

other interested group – vendors, who work After reconstruction and reduction of the at the Market and some of reside in the near- market area (and probably increasing the rents by buildings, have different necessities regard- for shops areas) the competition between ing the reconstruction. Often in interviews commodity vendors there will decrease and they shared that they want a change for the logically this could result in prices going up. market that will make it a cleaner place, re- The latter leads to negative social consequenc- new the stalls and kiosks, renovate the pave- es since it would deprive Sofia citizens and es- ment and etc. But when asked whether they pecially vulnerable groups in the capital of the support replacing stalls and kiosks with two- possibility to shop for products at affordable storey buildings or indoor kiosks they firmly prices from the biggest market in the city. We refused such a change. could summarize that the Ladies’ Market is so- At the same time, the decision for re- cially important not only for the people living construction, which in essence changes the in the area, but also for Sofia citizens at large statute of the space – from a market to a pe- and its “compression” would impact the qual- destrian zone with shopping and recreational ity of life of big groups of the citizens of the functions – is not consistent with the inter- capital. Therefore the reconstruction policy, if it ests and need of Sofia’s citizens as a whole. intended to be in line with the principles of cul- Similarly to vendors, the majority of the in- tural sustainability, should have considered the terviewed buyers at the market support par- “soft” infrastructure not only in the neighbor- tial changes for improving work and service hood, but on a citywide level, and have found there, but not the radical scenario, where the a balance between the interests of different market part is compressed to just the space groups and communities. between Slivnitsa Boulevard and St. Cyril and Methodius Street8. Before reconstruction, 3.3 The market as a heterogeneous space, the total number of market customers was where we meet “the others” 40 thousand people a day9. During our field research in the summer of 2013, we estab- 3.3.1 Culturally and historically, the lished that a large part of the regular custom- marketplaces are a focal ers of the Ladies’ Market (mostly elderly or point for dialogue socially vulnerable people) come from neigh- Markets and plazas are “the place where news borhoods outside of the capital’s center be- gets announced, where private affairs become cause, as they said, the prices of commodities public, where opinions form, where they are in this market are much lower than in their put to the test and are reaffirmed, where propo- local stores or markets. sitions are leveled with one-another and where verdicts are pronounced” (Bauman 1999: 44- 45). In Ancient Greece the Agora is the place 8 An elderly female respondent, who has been visiting the market almost every day in the past 30 years, said that “it would be where citizens met to share their opinions, ex- nice to upgrade the market, make it look like the lower part. It’s time for it to change, but it should still remain a market! Because change information, make decisions. According there are other chains, but the market stands on its own.” to Weber, in the Middle Ages the market be- 9 Data of visitors of the Ladies’ Market per day vary from 15 thousand people (according to Yanev) up to 45 thousand came a place where foreigners met and settled (according to Venkov). See: Yanev, Pavel (2012) The Ladies’ Market – the question for it now is to be or not to be?, in down around it. This adds another important Provocad, http://provocad.com/jenski-pazar-to-be-or-not-to-be feature to the market place – it’s not only a place and Venkov, Nikola (2013) Readers Diary: More on the future of the Ladies’ Market in Dnevnik, http://www.dnevnik.bg/live/ for communicating and negotiating between chitatelski_dnevnik/2013/09/13/2139299_chitatelski_dnevnik_ oshte_za_budeshteto_na_jenskiia the “next of kin”, between co-citizens, but also Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 15 becomes a field for interacting between the did not like shopping and that she’d find what “next of kin” and “foreign” people. to buy not because of premade lists but because Thus throughout the centuries, in parallel of the price of products and the vendor’s per- to the market’s function to organize the ex- sonal attitude: “So I met an old lady the other change of products and money between in- day from a village near Sofia, who’d brought terested parties – sellers and buyers – it main- runner beans and she started talking to me, be- tained yet another very important function – to cause she was the one who started to me first, provide a place for meetings and communica- asked me what the time was, because her son tion between acquaintances and strangers. had to come and pick her up already, so we started talking, she told me about her village, 3.3.1.1 The Bulgarian situation how her land was deserted, that you can’t grow on the market melons on a dry patch, whatever she’d harvest- In smaller places in Bulgaria there are still mar- ed in her own garden – that’s that… so I, what kets where people go, usually once a week, to do, what to do, I looked at what she’d got, mainly to meet their fellow villagers and to I felt like eating runner beans, I bought some, communicate, without necessarily having any I cooked them. We talked so long that other intention to buy anything10. people from the other stalls joined in, saying she On the Ladies’ Market, this function of the shouldn’t bother me with so much talking. And market as an institution of communication that is one of the things that amuse me – how has weakened because of the anonymity of when you start a chat with someone at a stall, the large city but it is still there to a certain de- there is no way that people around you would gree. During our field research we managed remain indifferent”. Just like her, another young to isolate a few profiles of buyers depending respondent told us that he chose honey de- on their attitude toward communications on pending on how heartily the vendor was: “you the market, as well as different dimensions of can see which people are real merchants and do communication itself there. it with the idea of sharing what they’ve made”. A young female respondent told us she For yet another type of respondents (usu- had been living nearby for quite some time and ally regular clients for years) the main goal passed by the market every day and that her fa- when visiting the market was shopping, but vorite places were where she already knew the at the same time they would also chat with vendors and they’d stop her for a chat when the vendors, some even established a more they saw her. The interesting thing is that for lasting contact. For example, a woman from her this was a market socializing model she had the Iztok district said that for 4-5 years she seen in her family: “We used to come here with had been buying tomatoes only from one and my grandmother when I was little because she the same producer, with whom through time loved shopping here and had her own old ac- they’d become friends: “she gave me her quaintances. To her the market was an experi- daughter’s telephone number so that I can ence in itself and it sometimes took her half an call her, so I wouldn’t have to run around in hour to buy some tomatoes.” She said that she vain if she didn’t have any tomatoes”. Conversations are usually about crops,

10 The opinion was given by one of the respondents, inter- recipes, children, but sometimes even about viewed at the market, who said that in his hometown of more existentialist topics like love or death. Oryahovo (where he lives) “on Fridays, you can meet anybody on the market. We often go there with my wife to meet with For example, one of the respondents, a regu- people, we rarely buy anything there. It’s the same in nearby towns”. The interview was taken on July 7th 2013. lar client, heard a year ago about the death 16 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

of a vendor’s husband, with whom they used not seen in other types of commercial sites – to sell together: “It was obvious in the way shops, market chains, malls and etc.13 she looked – all dressed in black, he was not We should add yet another difference we there. I gave her my condolences. (…) I don’t found during our interviews: a large number of really like talking about myself, but I feel em- the vendors on the market are owners or ten- pathic for others’ suffering”. ants of the kiosks where they work. This par- When we research the communication on ticularity brings greater commitment and per- the market we must make it clear that it has sonal attitude toward work. The latter doesn’t different dimensions and is not always related contradict our observation that they have a to verbal communication. During our field re- greater freedom than sellers at other com- search we often observed spontaneous human mercial sites. For instance quite a few of the gestures of solidarity or goodwill, which are market’s vendors don’t respect a strict working also a kind of interaction, inspired by the im- schedule since they are dependent also on me- mediacy of the environment. For instance dur- teorological specificities (some of them do not ing the recording of our video material a pot- open their stall when it rains). Also, it is a regu- tery vendor offered to an elderly woman to sit lar practice for vendors to step in for somebody in her chair: “I came here to do my shopping. else for certain time intervals. And I stopped over there to take a rest and Unlike them, sellers in shops or malls are this lady asked me – kind little soul – asked me usually hired people, who work for the own- to sit down and offered me her chair. Just like er of the retail outlet. Their work schedule is that, by accident, I don’t know her. I mean, strictly defined (although there is a flexible there are still some good people left”. half-day work opportunity) and breaching it Architect Bratkov brings out other aspects leads to sanctions (some employers even for- of spontaneous communication, provoked by bid their employees to go to the toilet when the environment of the Ladies’ Market: “stand- alone in the shop14). Because of the specificity ing in front of one stall you can look to the side, of the working hours and the environment, past one, two rows – and see the next person; mall staff are often troubled creating and you acquire much more visual information. On maintaining contacts among themselves15. the market you can get a lot more information – On this basis we could conclude that the visual, verbal, someone would shout out to you, atmosphere of the market encourages com- you’d meet someone you know, while in shop- munication on different levels16 – between ping malls you’re focused only on the product itself”11. There is market specificity as a cultural 13 „The main difference between the market and the mall or the commercial outlet is the way of communication. How the space and it refers to the possibility of imme- product is perceived – whether when you’re at the market you 12 really only look at the product or you observe other things at diate communication, of haggling , which are the same time because the surroundings are full of emotions – color, sound, contacts… Because when people go to the market they go also because of the immediate contact – to meet someone. Whereas in the mall people put the emphasis on imi- 11 The interview was recorded on July 29th 2013 with a video tation – imitation of a commercial street so that all these things camera for the purposes of examining the communication on the could happen. And to get information from there – it’s like some sort of a gallery – you go in – go out, go in – go out, you Ladies’ Market. don’t communicate, you’re rather in contact with what you are 12 One of my favorite stories of haggling at the Ladies’ Market I looking for.” – quote from an interview with Plamen Bratkov. learnt from an informal chat on the topic is this: Client (Cl): How 14 This observation is of Rossitsa Gencheva and was presented much do these socks cost? Seller (S): 3 levs. Cl: But it says 2 levs during the public lecture “The mall as a space for work”, The on the tablet! S: But who put this tablet here? Cl: I’ll give you a lev Red House Center for Culture and Debate, November 2013. for them. S: No way for just one lev! 15 Ibidem After which they start talking – it turns out that they come from one 16 This does not mean that it is always smooth. Some respon- and the same region; she asks him about the female name tattooed dents on behalf of the buyers and on behalf of the merchants on his arm – whether it’s someone he still loves. He replies that the talked about an unsatisfactory attitude during the sale. But entire world is love. In the end he sells her the socks for only one lev. those are rare cases. Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 17 coworkers, passers-by and merchants, and luxury provides control and protection from it can be verbal, behavioral (as an act of no- incidental representatives of marginal groups. ticing the presence of the other or the spon- If we accept that the Ladies’ Market, albeit taneous reaction to the environment), visual its disadvantages, continues to represent such and other. On the other side, shopping at the an urban space, which allows communica- mall has the character of a more unidirection- tion in addition to shopping, then changing al consuming process – the consumer enters, its function by turning it into another mod- buys the product or entertainment then exits. ern merchant street recalls Bauman’s thesis Therefore the cultural sustainability of the of the “forbidden spaces”. According to him market is not only in the line of maintaining elites impose spaces of vertical justice, bare the cultural diversity (as in diverse ethnic or re- from publicity, which is not searched for by ligious groups), which aspect we will dwell on encountering and discussing values in a talk- in the text below, but also as preserving the ing community of equals. It is imposed by the atmosphere of (communicating at) the mar- elites, and “the rest of the population feels ket. Thus, if for the mall the culture of enor- excluded and forced to pay the big cultural, mous, consumerism and temptation are char- psychological and political price of their new acteristic, for the Ladies’ Market it could be isolation” (ibidem: 45-46). the culture of small, haggling and immediacy. So far we have outlined two important We pointed out that historically, in addi- specificities of the market – first off, tobe tion to dialoguing inside the community, mar- a place for communication and second – to kets have been a natural incubator for differ- “shelter” different cultures and mindsets and ences and meeting the otherness. Through- generate diversity. This was necessary to illus- out the history of the Ladies’ Marketa many trate the big discrepancy and even contradic- ethnical groups have alternated – Bulgarians, tion in our value attitudes based on the mar- Armenians, Jews, Turks; later Roma people, ket culture, on the one hand, and of people Arabs, Greeks, Chinese people have joined in. sharing their dwelling with the market, on What remains is the heterogeneity of the cul- the other. If qualities like dynamics, exchange, tural space – typical for a market. communication, negotiation and change are An interesting interpretation of the re- characteristic for the market, for the people, construction of the Ladies’ Market is offered living on the market, important would be the by Bauman’s thesis that in a time of globaliza- settled way of life, the homogeneity, the fa- tion we observe a constriction or disappear- miliar, the close to the heart, the neat. ance of traditional public spaces, in which Tracing the chronology of this contradic- “those, occupying their various constantly tion – establishing the committee “Revival” inhabited parts could meet face to face, (“Vazrajdane”) by property owners near the could participate in causality collisions, could market, with a purpose for it to be cultivat- communicate with or challenge each other, ed and tamed, it seems as though they do talk, fuss, argue and agree, bringing up their not consider the specificity of the territory. personal problems to the level of public and The Ladies’ Market by definition is diverse, making public subjects a question of personal and it seems like “the residents”17 would interest” (Bauman: 42). According to the phi- want to change the statute of the market losopher of globalization these modern-day “Agoras”, where people communicate and 17 “The residents” is the way people, living nearby the market, share opinions, become consumption spaces, are called by the merchants from the stalls every day. 18 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

space, the “own-foreign” relation. Practi- development suggests diversity, heteroge- cally they oppose the multiple stalls, the neity, tolerance and open-mindedness to- noise and the representatives of minorities wards the different. Sustainability of urban with a different lifestyle to theirs, because culture is related to creating public spaces, they are trying to improve their standard open for intra- and inter-cultural exchange of living and the increase the price of their and partnership. To defend the thesis of properties. But on a more fundamental on- the positive effect of heterogeneity, Flori- tological level, by insisting on re-construct- da claims that the cities, featuring cultur- ing the market, the proprietors seem to try al diversity and tolerance, stand a greater to change the ownership of the territory, to chance of attracting artistic people and in- make it their own again. dustries (Florida 2002). Persistent lobbying for reconstruction, Applied with regard to the market, this interpreted with the terms of the anthro- principle could be examined in two ways pological categories “own-foreign” means that would demonstrate the (non-)com- imposing a post-modernist isolation of the pliance with the region’s cultural sustain- others, the marginal, the poor. Ironically, ability. The first touches upon the question this isolation by supra-territorial elites by the whether all interested groups and social marginal “locals”, monitored by Bauman players have an equal access to information and other globalization researchers, is actu- and participation in determining the change ally initiated by “indigenous”, but too “an- in the urban development. The second is chored” in their territorial identity owners about whether the authenticity of the mar- against non-local intruders, who have found ket culture will be preserved after the re- a “slippery” pier in the Ladies’ Market. construction – the diversity of participating Something more – this post-modern conflict individuals, the open-air atmosphere, the is reasoned by a rather pre-modern rheto- direct attitude and the possibility to negoti- ric on behalf of the owners: “We are a kin, ate and “haggle”. we have come here a long time ago, they Carefully following the preparation for (people from the minorities or immigrants) the transformation of the market demon- are foreign and Newcomers”. strates opacity in decision-making. This conclusion is supported by our filed work which 3.4 Coexistence of diverse cultures as showed that the majority of merchants, cli- a sign of cultural sustainability ents of the market and incidentally passing- The principle of cultural diversity should be by citizens know that there is going to be of double significance regarding the Ladies’ some kind of reconstruction, but have no Market. Firstly, as was already analyzed, by idea what exactly will be done and for this the power of the specificity of exactly this reason they most commonly suppose, that urban space – because of its commercial it will be aimed at ameliorating the condi- character, the market traditionally features tions (lighting, hygiene, pavement) but not heterogeneity. Secondly, because it is an changing the functions or the size of the important element of cultural sustainability market space. policies, which should be applied to every In addition to the lack of publicly acces- urban space. sible and clear information about the up- As motivated in the theoretical part of coming changes in the market, there isn’t the study, the cultural aspect of sustainable an equal inclusion of all participants in the Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 19 city life, on whose lives the potential change cussions, public debates and consultations. in the urban space would reflect. Discus- Considering the importance of Sofia’s central sions, press conferences and other forms of market in historical, cultural, social and eco- determining the market’s future have been nomic terms, we think that holding a refer- organized with authority representatives, endum at an earlier stage is justified so that but not with representatives of the mer- the capital’s citizens could determine future chants or the regular clients of the market: of the Ladies’ Market. “As far as visions for the best future of the We have already mentioned some reflec- market zone don’t coincide, compromise is tions on the second question – whether the not possible through an inclusive and direct function will be preserved, as well as the dialogue between the parties, while each “spirit” of cultural diversity and the immedi- one of them triggers its own resources for ate communication at the market. We can influencing the political and technical pro- only add that under the influence of public cedures ” (Venkov 2012: 40). pressure and mostly on behalf of the “Re- There is an indirect asymmetry of the (in) vival” committee, and also by the merchants capability of both sides, interested in the fu- in the months just before the start of recon- ture of the market, to participate in decision- struction, the project was revised and went making: activists have resources, with which through several stages. Considering the the major part of the merchants (being scarcity of publicly available information it representatives of minority groups without is hard to foresee in what version the proj- a high social or educational status) do not ect for reconstruction will be implemented. have – being aware of the municipal proce- The opinion we can commit to is that if the dures and following commission meetings, functions or size of the market are drastically internet skills, skills to process documents changed it would have significant cultural, and archives, to establish contacts with au- social and economic consequences. thority representatives and etc. The reconstruction of the market is not 4. Conclusion a typical case of decision-making from top to bottom, as this initiative for change was The contraction or disappearance of public triggered by a group of citizens, who man- spaces (Bauman) like the Ladies’ Market and aged to successfully lobby for it and actu- the related lack of dialogue and “places” for ate institutional mechanisms, which in the negotiation is not only a geographical or ur- end lead to the reconstruction. Albeit that, ban development problem. It has worrying arguments were adduced in support of the social and anthropological consequences as thesis that the transformation of this urban it leads to alienation and indicates a deficit space was not made considering and includ- of the offered resources and mechanisms for ing all interested parties. Important elements active participation in society’s life. of the local culture were not respected, such In the current model of intercultural co- as habits, traditions, rules, natural and man- existence on the market there are weakness- made environment and social dynamics. es and disadvantages on which one could These deficits are due to lack of transparency and should work. But if it is implemented in and information about the project, as well as its radical version, the reconstruction of the insufficiently equal implementation of tools market may lead to devastating results as the and mechanisms for inclusion, such as dis- Ladies’ Market is probably the one place in 20 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

the capital where communication between we create individual and collective mean- different ethnicities is most intensive. It is ings and learn to discuss values and placing also the space where the most successful it in the center of our sustainable develop- integration and financial independence of ment strategy would mean to discover infi- Roma and Turkish minorities have been self- nite possible solutions for the situation. And realized. This looks like a good basis for fu- their success, justice and humanity will de- ture (sustainable) development, which is ev- pend on the capability of the policies to em- ermore topical with the tendency of a rising power and engage people in their diversity number of immigrants in the country. – not as passive consumers of readymade The case “Ladies’ Market” shows that recipes, but as active citizens, conscious of rehabilitation of culture as a sphere, where the responsibility we have. Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 21

5. Bibliography

Literature in Bulgarian

Bauman, Zigmunt (1999) Globalizaciata. Poslednicite za choveka, Sofia: LIK Publishing Hristova, Svetlana (2011) Kulturata kato factor za ustoychivo razvitie, in: Apostolov, Alexi i drugi. Filosofiya, geopolitika, badeshte, Sofiya: Faber Kanev, Petar (2013) – Ecologizmat mezhdu nova mizantropiya i nov humanizam, in: Filosofski alternative, p. 80-99, 5/20013 Katsarov, Radoslav Milev (2012). Ustoychivo razvitie na balgarskoto kulturno nasledstvo i formi- rane na politiki za natsionalen i regionalen prosperitet, p.265-269 Mareva, Tanya (2009). Kulturno nasledstvo za ustoychivo razvitie. Sluchayat Smiliyan, p.117-122 Programa 21 za kultura: Initsiativa na gradove i mestni vlasti za kulturno razvitie (2004) , http://www.agenda21culture.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&It emid=57&lang=bg Venkov, Nicola (2012) Grazhdanskoto obshtestvo i Zhenskiya Pazar, http://www.academia. edu/1609895 Venkov, Nicola Oshte za badeshteto na Zhenskiya Pazar, from Dnevnik, 13.09.2013 , http://www.dnevnik.bg/live/chitatelski_dnevnik/2013/09/13/2139299_chitatelski_ dnevnik_oshte_za_budeshteto_na_jenskiia Yanev, Pavel (2012) Zhenskiyat Pazar – vaprosat veche e da bade ili ne?, in Provocad, http:// provocad.com/jenski-pazar-to-be-or-not-to-be

Literature in English

Bianchini, F. (1993) Culture, conflict and cities: issues and prospects for the 1990s, in: F. Bi- anchini & M. Parkinson (Eds) Cultural Policy and Urban Regeneration: the West European experience (Manchester, Manchester University Press) Birkeland, I. and Soini, K. (2010) ”Developing the role and meaning of cultural sustainability in cultural policy”. Scientific paper presented at the International Conference in Cultural Policy Research, Jyväskylä 24-27 august 2010 Birkeland, I. (2012) “Global sense of place? A cultural turn for place and sustainability education”. Scientific paper presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference, Vancouver, B.C. 12-17 April 2012 Carruthers, Beth (2006) Mapping the terrain of contemporary EcoART practice and collabora- tion, prepared for “Art in ecology—A think tank on arts and sustainability,” Vancouver Darlow, A. (1996) Cultural Policy and Urban Sustainability: making a missing link?, in Planning Practice and Research, Vol. 11, No. 3 Deborah Mills & Paul Brown, Art and wellbeing , Australia Council for the Arts, 2004 Diana Mitlan & David Satterthwaite, Cities and sustainable development: Background paper for Global Forum ’94 Duxbury, Nancy and Jeannotte, M. Sharon. (2011, March). ‘Introduction: Culture and Sustain- able Communities’, Culture and Local Governance / Culture et Gouvernance Locale (Vol. 3, No. 1-2), special double issue on ‘Culture and Sustainable Communities’ Duxbury, Nancy and Jeannotte, M. Sharon. (2012, April). ‘Including Culture in Sustainability: An Assessment of Canada’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plans’, International Jour- nal of Urban Sustainable Development 22 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

Duxbury, Nancy. (2011). ‘Shifting Strategies and Contexts for Culture in Small City Planning: Interlinking Quality of Life, Economic Development, Downtown Vitality, and Community Sustainability’ in Anne Lorentzen and Bas van Heur (eds.), Cultural Political Economy of Small Cities. London: Routledge Florida, R. (2002) The rise of the creative class. New York: Basic books Giddens, A. (1993) Sociology, 2nd edn. London: Polity Press, p. 31 Hájek, Oldřich, Jiří Novosák and Pavel Bednář (2011) Local Agenda 21 and Culture: Lessons from the Czech Republic, Culture and Local Governance / Culture et gouvernance locale, vol. 3, no. 1-2, 2011 Hartley, J. (2009) ‘Arts and ecological sustainability’, D’Art Topics in Arts Policy, No. 34, In- ternational Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies -IFACCA, Sydney, http:// www.ifacca.org/media/files/Arts%20and%20Ecological%20Sustainability%20-%20 D%27Art%2034.pdf Hawkes, Jon (2001) The fourth pillar of sustainability: Culture’s essential role in public planning, http://www.culturaldevelopment.net.au/community/Downloads/HawkesJon%282001%29Th eFourthPillarOfSustainability.pdf Hawkes, Jon (2003). Understanding Culture, http://community.culturaldevelopment.net.au/UnderstandingCulture.html#top Hildegard Kurt, Aesthetics of Sustainability, in Heike Strelow & Vera David (Eds.), Aesthetics of ecology: Art in environmental design, theory and practice, 2004 John Matthews & David Herbert (Eds), Unifying geography: Common heritage, shared future?, 2004 M. Sharon Jeannotte, Nancy Duxbury (2010) Culture, Sustainability, and Communities: Explor- ing the Myths, http://www.ces.uc.pt/publicacoes/oficina/ficheiros/2982_353.pdf Mark Roseland et al., Towards sustainable communities: Resources for citizens and their governments, 2005 Nathan Cardinal & Emilie Adin, An urban Aboriginal life: The 2005 indicators report on the quality of life of Aboriginal people in the Greater Vancouver region, Centre for Native Policy and Research, 2005 New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Cultural well-being and local government , Report 1, 2006 OECD, The well-being of nations: The role of human and social capital, 2001 Montgomery, J. (1990) Cities and the art of cultural planning, Planning Practice and Re- search, 5(3) Packalen, Sture (2010) Culture and Sustainability in Corporate Social Responsibility and En- vironmental Management 17, 118–121 Wiley InterScience, (www.interscience.wiley.com) Peter Newman & Jeffrey Kenworthy (1999) Sustainability and cities: Overcoming automobile dependence , Reimer, M & Blotevogel, H. H.: Comparing Spatial Planning in Europe: A Plea for Cultural Sen- sitization, Planning Practice and Research, 27, 1, 7 – 24. Report 4: Culture and sustainable development: examples of institutional innovation and proposal of a new cultural policy profile, in the framework of the process “Towards a new cultural policy profile”, 1 September 2009, Official website of Agenda for Culture 21, http://www.agenda21culture.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87 %3Areport-4-culture-and-sustainable-development-examples-of-institutional-innovation- and-proposal-of-a-new-cultural-policy-profile&catid=58&Itemid=57&lang=bg Robert D. Putnam (2000) Bowling alone: Collapse and revival of American community Scott O’Hara (2002) Hands ON! Practices and projects supported by the Community Cultural Development Board , Australia Council for the Arts Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market 23

Timothy Beatley & Kristy Manning (1997) The ecology of place: Planning for environment, economy, and community UNESCO (1995). The cultural dimension of development: towards a practical approach, Cul- ture and Development Series, Paris, UNESCO Publishing, p. 22 Ursic, Matjaz (2011) The Diminished Importance of Cultural Sustainability in Spatial Planning: The Case of Slovenia, in Culture and Local Governance vol. 3, no 1-2 Williams, R. (1976) Keywords, Glasgow: Fontana Yencken, Foreword in Hawkes, Jon (2001) The fourth pillar of sustainability: Culture’s essential role in public planning, http://www.culturaldevelopment.net.au/community/Downloads/HawkesJon%282001%2 9TheFourthPillarOfSustainability.pdf 24 Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market

About the author: Dr. Lilia Sazonova is Assistant Professor of Anthropological Studies at the Institute for the Study of Societies and Knowledge - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Her interests include: culture and sustainable development, European values and European identity, gender equality, human rights, etc. Currently she is working on an author’s project for a documentary, studying the models of communication at the Ladies’ Market and the Mall. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Office Bulgaria Analyses

Dr. Lilia Sazonova Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development. Glimpses of the Ladies’ Market