Chitalishta and Libraries as Carriers of Cultural Capital and Factors in the Social Sustainability of Local Communities in a Peripheral Region

Author Zhelyu Vladimirov, Bilyana Yavrukova

Added by Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

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Format: Печатно и електронно

Year of publication: 2026

Parallel title: Читалищата и библиотеките като носители на културен капитал и фактор за социалната устойчивост на местните общности в периферен район

Article source: Научни известия "Наследство БГ"

Article pages: 30-50

Volume / issue: 10

DOI: 10.58894/AR-HBg.2026.10.30-51

URL: https://doi.org/10.58894/AR-HBg.2026.10.30-51

License: Attribution- NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND)

Copyright: IN COPYRIGHT

APA citation: Vladimirov, Z., & Yavrukova, B. (2026). Chitalishta and libraries as carriers of cultural capitaland factors in the social sustainability of local communities in a peripheral region. Research Announcements „Heritage BG“, (10), 30–51. https://doi.org/10.58894/AR-HBg.2026.10.30-51

Harvard citation: Vladimirov, Z. and Yavrukova, B. (2026) „Chitalishta and libraries as carriers of cultural capitaland factors in the social sustainability of local communities in a peripheral region“, Research Announcements „Heritage BG“, (10), pр. 30–51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.58894/AR-HBg.2026.10.30-51.

This study examines the role of 39 chitalishta (community cultural centres) and their libraries as institutions that embody cultural and social capital in four Bulgarian municipalities – Gotse Delchev, Garmen, Hadzidimovo, and Satovcha. Two pilot composite indices are introduced: a Chitalishte Activity Index, incorporating events, artistic ensembles, project activity, membership, and staffing; and a Library Activity Index, weighting usage, cultural activity, capacity, and development/innovation. Results reveal uneven distribution of institutional activity independent of network density: Hadzhidimovo has the highest number of chitalishta per capita but the lowest activity index, while Gotse Delchev and Satovcha demonstrate stronger and more balanced performance across both chitalishta and libraries. A typology of libraries is proposed based on comparative indicators. The study contributes an empirical and methodological basis for further research on cultural infrastructure in peripheral regions.