NGO: Middle School “Petar Beron”
Country: Bulgaria
Participation: Video (URL)
Video
The student-led documentary titled “(Above) Ground” explores the legacy of mining in Southeastern Bulgaria and the invisible labour that shaped the history of the miners’ community in Topolovgrad. Focusing on the memories of retired miners, the film reflects on how the work carried out deep under/over ground helped build not only the local economy but also a shared sense of resilience and identity. Through a powerful group interview with four former miners, the documentary reveals personal testimonies about the harsh realities of miners’ labour – long and exhausting shifts, daily exposure to uranium dust, and the risks faced by workers who often lacked information or protection from radiation and accidents during Communism. Combined with images of the former Ustrem mine, these moments create a thoughtful reflection on labour, dignity, and memory. “(Below) Ground” ultimately asks a simple but powerful question: what can those who worked underground teach those who live above it today? The film was created under the framework of the LISTEN project.
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