MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN TO THE CIRCUS
Bahdhat Sheikh Mus is 43, a Kurd from Al-Qahtaniyah, Syria. Before he left his homeland, he was a farmer. He has been in Bulgaria for two months, has applied for asylum and now stays at the State Agency for Refugees camp in Ovcha Kupel, Sofia.
Why did you come to Bulgaria?
Because of the current war in Syria and the fact, that ISIS has been targeting mainly Kurdish cities. My little girls couldn't sleep at night from the gunshots. This made me to pack up and run away.
Have you experienced special treatment because you are a foreigner?
I am happy with the attitude of the Bulgarians people and government. I am happy with the Refugee Agency, too.
Have you met ordinary people? In the street?
No, I don't know anyone. But when people see me, they greet me, try to talk to me. Their attitude is positive.
Can you single out a specific trait in the Bulgarian national character?
Here you have democracy, human rights are respected. I haven't been to Western Europe, but comparing the Bulgarians with the people of Syria, there are but few differences.
Has Bulgaria surprised you?
Not at all. We arrived in Bulgaria, we settled, we are alive and well, this is what's most important. The cuisine is a bit unusual, we are not used to it. There are doner kebabs and grilled chicken here, but they are a bit different than ours.
Do you know about any Bulgarian holidays?
My daughter liked 1 June, Children's Day, a lot. They took them from school in a bus and brought them to the circus.
Can you describe Bulgaria in three words?
Bulgaria is a friend of the Syrian people and is a good country. I like everything, the people are good and nice, they treat us well.
Do you plan to stay if you receive refugee status?
I have no one here. I would leave for Western Europe where the conditions are better.
