45 million people without homes and homelands are refugees in far-away countries all across the globe. These bleak statistics were presented on World Refugee Day – June 20. Each one of the refugees has their own story. Some have managed to find a new home, while others roam the globe with pain and dreams about having a new life.

Mehti Zamani belongs to the second group. He was beaten up by the police of a repressive regime and decided that he had a chance for a normal life in Bulgaria. He left behind undemocratic Iran and all his friends and relatives but for two years he has been trying to receive a refugee status in Bulgaria. He has also been dreaming of becoming a tailor and designer.

“When I came to Bulgaria I thought life would be better but the opposite happened. I need to go somewhere else where I can receive a refugee status. In the interview in the Refugee Agency I said that I expect from Bulgaria peace and normal life. I wanted to receive a refugee status in order to stay here but they refused.”

The best thing now is the help from a friend. He has wild hair, tattoos, and huge earrings. At first glance one would not expect that this is the best friend of a man in need. His name is Teodor Tsvetkov.

“My interest in communication with refugees comes from the music scene, as musicians support the idea of ​​tolerance and integration. We do not divide people by ethnicity or skin color. Meeting refugees expands my horizons. I have met a number of people - both foreigners and Bulgarians who share my ideas and I gathered a lot of knowledge and hope that someday our society may mark  a progress.”

In Bulgaria there are six refugee centers, housing about 3,700 people. According to Albena Drobachka, president of the Association for Progressive and Open Communication, the lack of space and the negative attitude towards refugees, as well as the long procedures for receiving a status, lack of work or lack of medical care are not the worst of their problems.

“The real problem of refugees is that they left their homeland and their children still have nightmares about falling bombs. In this country we have witnessed ethnic and religious tension as well as attempts for confrontation. That is why we have been trying to do the opposite. We gather in one place to talk, draw and sing together with the strong belief that xenophobic and racist attitudes are mainly a result of lack of information.”

Syrian refugee Rodi Ibrahim is 24-years-old. He was born in the city of Hasaka but a year ago he was forced to leave Syria. Here is his story:

“I was a soldier, but I deserted from the army to save my life. I went to Turkey illegally, where I remained for six months, and then arrived to Bulgaria. It's very difficult to talk about that even a year after paying traffickers to get me out of Turkey, but it is important that people know what is happening to us and why. I am one of the thousands of people who arrived in Bulgaria after the events in Syria in 2011. We all have different reasons to leave our homeland - some hope to find a better life in Europe; others just want to escape from war. But everyone feels that this is their only option.”

How does Rodi Ibrahim feel in Bulgaria?

“I am grateful to Bulgaria for welcoming me. I feel better and I am calm now. The important thing is that I received a refugee status, and now I can live normally. I am a computer specialist and I hope to find a job. I have a dream, too – no more war!”

English version: Alexander Markov