Legal status of Russian refugees in Bulgaria in the 1920s – early 1930s

Abstract

The position of Russian refuges in the 1920s in Bulgaria is analyzed in the article drawing on a large factual material. The reasons for the country’s policy of «open doors», the numerical dynamics of emigrants, the peculiarities of their social composition and adaptation are revealed. It is shown that the legal status of Russians was regulated at the national level, taking into account the interests of emigration in Bulgaria and the situation in other countries, as well as in close connection with the decisions of the League of Nations. Gradually, a unified legal context of refugee existence was created. The Russian diplomatic mission headed by A. M. Petryaev, who since 1923 handed over his duties to the former adviser of the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria S. G. Bogoyavlensky, the Committee on Russian Refugees in Bulgaria, the representation of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Bulgaria, provided institutional assistance. The relationship between various institutions and personalities in solving the refugee issue is revealed. The legal status of Russians is examined from the standpoint of structural integration: inclusion in the host society through the national labor market, taxation, social sphere, realization of inheritance rights, access to the court, through the structures of the Russian Orthodox Church, the institution of citizenship. Russian refugees in Bulgaria formally obeyed the general laws on foreigners on an equal basis with other foreigners. There was no special law regulating the rights of Russians, but they were in a different position compared to other foreigners because of the number of legislative and administrative reservations. The special attitude towards the veterans of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877–1878 was characteristic: they were granted the right to a lifetime monthly allowance. The role of Nansen passports, established for Russians, and the difficulties of their application by ordinary migrants are revealed. It is concluded that the economic crisis of the late 1920s — early 1930s stimulated the integration of Russians due to the activation of naturalization. The confessional and linguistic affinity of the peoples played a role.