Only two weeks ago, a young Bulgarian woman managed to make her name known in British political history and became the first Bulgarian and one of the few foreigners ever to be elected municipal councilor in the country's May 5 local elections. Illustrator Paulina Vassileva took second place with 20.19% of the vote in her South Richmond borough and the opportunity to take an active part in the political and social life of the place she has lived in for the past 15 years.
In an interview with Radio Bulgaria, Paulina told us that she loves her neighbourhood very much and has always wanted to have a beneficial influence on it.
Her success came in her second appearance at the municipal election.
But every story has a beginning. Paulina was born in Sofia, where she graduated from the American College with the clear idea that she wanted to continue her education in Europe. She was accepted to a university in the Netherlands when the news came that she had been awarded a presidential scholarship by the American International University in London, and at the end of 2006 her childhood dream of living in the UK came true. In 2012, she specialized at the Sotheby's Institute of Art. She admits that at the beginning of her studies she intended to develop an academic career in the field of image theory, semantics and semiology, but gradually painting prevailed over these interests.
Today, Paulina works as a freelance illustrator. That's why she admits with a smile that for Richmond she is one of the few exceptions for a person with a normal and not very highly paid job who lives in a rented place. The borough is one of the richest in London. Its suburb of Teddington has been named the best place to live in the English capital by the Sunday Times in 2021. "There are Bulgarians here, but we are not many," says the young girl. Today, her main commitments as a municipal councilor in the region are related to responding to the problems of local citizens of all kinds.
"I am very interested in the field of social assistance. In addition to my participation in the last election campaign and the one for municipal councillors, I am very well acquainted with the other side of Richmond. These are the problems of citizens who are extremely disadvantaged, who are often considered not to live in the borough. Very serious problems, the solution of which requires coordination between different institutions. But there are also problems that allow me to make a direct contribution to people's lives and destinies. And this social aspect is the first thing that inspired me to get involved in the local government," says Paulina.
The 15 years of living in London and all the passion in the young woman's voice inevitably raise the question - where is Bulgaria’s place in the whole picture?
"I think Bulgaria subconsciously inspires me for all this. Bulgaria is the country that gave me the impetus to leave home, secondly, to fight for what I want. And thirdly, it has given me a sense of social justice with all the problems we have and the fact that we are one of the most disadvantaged countries in the EU. This has always been in my mind and makes me very interested in social equality," Paulina admits.
She continues to be actively informed about what is happening in her homeland, because, as she says: "It’s where my home is." She is following with interest the country’s development, the public agenda, the present-day difficulties and opportunities.
"At the moment, Bulgaria seems quite controversial to me. It seems to be quite worried, with problems piling up on top of each other”.
Yet, Paulina believes there’s always a road leading back home.
"Bulgaria was, is and will be my home, there is my family who made me what I am. They inspire and support me for what I do here today”.
On the occasion of the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture and Slavic literature (May 24), Paulina wishes only one thing to her compatriots around the world:
"On the eve of this bright holiday, I want us to remember that one of our most unique and strong qualities is the ability to keep going forward. To continue to fight under all circumstances and not to give up, no matter how difficult the situation may seem. And that we have succeeded before, we will succeed also in the future, we will be able to emerge from the darkness and welcome the light”.
Edited by Elena Karkalanova
English version Rositsa Petkova
Photos: private library
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