On the living conditions and adaptation of Bulgarians and Gagauz from the Moldavian SSR in Siberia: historical and ethnological aspects

Abstract

The article examines the problems of socio-cultural adaptation of Bulgarians and Gagauz from the Moldavian SSR, who were deported to Siberia as a result of the mass deportation carried out by the Soviet authorities in July 1949. Based on regulatory acts and narrative sources, the author examines the housing and living conditions of the migrants at their new place of settlement, as well as their economic activities. Particular attention is paid to the influence of the special commandant regime on socialization processes, the psychological state of the deportees, and the mechanisms of preserving ethnic identity in the conditions of a foreign ethnic and foreign language environment. The main conclusions are that the hardships of relocation, poor material conditions in the new place of residence, and the unusually harsh climate negatively affected the lives of the southerners. The difficult socio-economic situation of Bulgarians and Gagauz in their new settlements was exacerbated by discriminatory measures imposed by the authorities, including restrictions on freedom of movement. The survival strategy of Bulgarians and Gagauz was based primarily on their strong work ethic and ethnic solidarity within their settlements. The study showed that the forced nature of the resettlement and living under the special settlement regime led to feelings of marginalization and inferiority among the deportees, which, in turn, points to the phenomenon of “deportation trauma”.