"This is the EU, we have the right to call each other toilets if we want to, because we are all brothers together now, and that's what brothers do."

Not so. There are laws against speech in the EU, US and every other place. Speech is regulated.

I support the EU, but lets be honest: we are not brothers. The idea behind the Strasbourg accord in '49 was to intertwine European countries enough, so that we'll stop killing each other, not to enter into some sort of incestuous relations...

Trust me, if someone decides to kill most Brits, for example, I don't quite know if I have particular feelings about it, one way or another... brother;)

What a genius! If there was ever a way to ensure that Cerny comes to Plovdiv and sticks a controversial exhibition right under the nose of City Hall, this is it.

Cerny benefits from the publicity, Plovdiv beneifts, local coffee shop owners benefit. The guy's a freaking genius. Seriously. Either that or next in line to the throne of Kazachstan.

This is the EU, we have the right to call each other toilets if we want to, because we are all brothers together now, and that's what brothers do.

Way to go, Atanasov! You only strengthen Cerny's arguments about Bulgaria and show the country's inferiority complex - hiding art - fear of criticism - the people of Plovdiv should be just as angry with Atanasov as they are with people viewing Bulgaria at a toilet. But what will you do about it, Plovdiv?

"It would imply that you can laugh to this kind of stupid things."

Many Bulgarians do, and many would even agree with the depiction. Perhaps in another 20-40 years we would be confident enough to laugh it off, and hopefully western (notably UKs) papers will slow down with the constant put downs and insults of BG for internal political milage, but as of yet, until we still feel under constant barrage, I am not ready to take this laughing.

Honestly it's a bit like expecting a battered wife to laugh about bitch slapping... BG is something of EU media's punching bag so I am not laughing anymore.

"Why? That would imply that we're embarrassed by his portrayal."

It would imply that you can laugh to this kind of stupid things.

"If they would have just been silent nobody would not even remember whole thing."

Why? That would imply that we're embarrassed by his portrayal. Without speaking for all Bulgarians, I am not - his chosen depiction reflects only his opaque personality and the inherent European racism, and nothing else.

If you think that your country is a toilet, then you are sadly little more than the typical Bulgarian finding themselves on the wrong end of the new economic divide....

And I have to add that Bulgarians made it much bigger by themselves. If they would have just been silent nobody would not even remember whole thing.

We took it like humor how he described our country, not any better than what he made Bulgaria. Even when it happened I said that bulgarians seem to take this too seriously :P

Jon
don't be silly. Atanasov is making a point, as he should - he has no legal power to keep anyone out, although I can't see why Cerny would insist on hanging out at Plovdiv's city hall, especially after what he's done ... it's all polemical..

And by the way Jon Mills, this czech stoner guy has been banned in numerous EU Countries such as Belgium, Great Britain, Italy and Poland.. seems only France hasn't put a ban on his face. So don't give me this bull about how "uncivilized" this decision is.

Besides Cerny's work is aimed ONLY at discriminating and offending people, it has NO political message whatsoever. So banning him is like banning porn or something in a really bad taste.

His portrayal of Bulgaria as a toilet is as racist as putting a damn swastika on Germany. The stereotypes about Bulgaria in the Czech Republic include us being bastards from the Ottoman empire which explains why he chose the TURKISH toilet, because in the description of his work he wrote "Turkish toilet", he didn't just write "old style hole on the floor toilet", he wrote TURKISH toilet.

The fact that the far right party is happy about the decision is just unfortunate.. it is unfortunate that such a party even exists.

Atanasov is a rare example of a Bulgarian who isn't OK with everyone dumping on us.
Good for him!

Slavcho Atanasov is dumb. We are trying to get this guy to come to Bulgaria so we can capture and torture him. We should give the highest medal to whoever kills Cerny.. well at least I am going to give all my savings to whoever does the job. We should also harass and beat up any czech people who are in Bulgaria.

Well said Jon!

Atanasov is a disgrace. I expect much better from public officials. Since when did the Mayor of Plovdiv get the right to exclude an EU citizen from public buildings because he does not like his art? Don't forget these buildings are 'public' and not 'owned'by the city. They are held in trust by the obshtina for and on behalf of all citizens (including those from the EU who also help pay for them).

If EU citizens are not welcome in Plovdiv, please make this clear, so they can take their jobs, companies and money elsewhere.

I his remarks are aimed at one person, will this decision be repeated on the basis of Religion, Political Belief, Social Status, artistic values, or any other element he may personally not like?

And this is from the man who vanished from the face of the earth for months after being elected and reappeared when the snow left Plovdiv!!

If he wishes to follow the dictates of ATAKA, he should do the honourable thing and declare his change of political views.

Lame Slavcho!
And taking down the earlier post was lame as well.