Authors

Discussion

The construction of reservoirs in Bulgaria was a complex process involving various institutional, communal, and individual strategies aimed at modernizing the country, regions, and families. This modernization included the development of agriculture, heavy industries, mining, and water supply for domestic and industrial purposes, alongside profound changes in living and working conditions.

Spanning from the early 1950s to the end of the socialist period, reservoir construction affected almost the entire territory of Bulgaria. The relocation, adaptation, and modernization of rural populations whose villages were submerged under reservoirs’ waters followed diverse patterns.

This study examines the variety of migration and modernization models that resulted from the enforced (though not violent) relocation associated with the construction of some of the most significant reservoirs. The analysis is based on personal narratives of relocated individuals and their descendants, as well as archival documents detailing the relocation processes. It highlights the complex interplay of institutional policies and individual experiences in shaping the transformation of affected communities.