Bulgaria

The Neighbours explores the silenced memories of survivors of political violence during Bulgaria’s communist era (1945–1989). Using found objects, video, and sound, the multimedia installation conveys stories of those who endured forced labour camps and prisons. Rooted in extensive scholarly research and survivor interviews, it reimagines the spaces where the interviews took place, inviting audiences to inhabit them and bear witness.
Three ways of remembering materialise within the exhibition as three symbolic rooms — the living room, echoing the voices of those who openly share their experiences; the bedroom, representing survivors who remain silent due to fear or lack of inquiry; and the kitchen, dedicated to those who cannot remember or never had the chance to speak.
The installation uses the language of absence to nurture remembrance as an act of resistance against oblivion. Video projections, ambient sounds, and recovered items from forced labour camps visually connect the material world of the camps with the space of the home, evoking the ways traumatic memories permeate daily existence.
The Neighbours stands as a poignant memorial and critical examination of the enduring impact of political violence. It emphasises art’s vital role in engaging with complex realities, fostering reflection and healing.