From Bulgarian to European: the role of interculturalism in the identity construction of migrant communities

Abstract

This paper will analyse the identity construction processes of the migrants’ communities in the context of the European Union. Based on the fieldwork developed with the Bulgarian community settled in Castile and Leon (Spain), this article will explore the strategies of identity management in order to succeed in the integration process. First of all, we will take into account the local strategies of community development consisted on the promotion of associations. Secondly, we will analyse the way the local population reassume the global discourses of Interculturalism promoted by the European Union. Thirdly, we will consider how far these facts affect the migrants’ communities. Bulgarian community developed a wise identity management strategy that enables them to be integrated in the local society without losing their own traditions.