Teritorial Imbalance in Bulgarian Book Publishing
Abstract
The article explores the impact of regional disparities in Bulgarian book publishing with a focus on its concentration in the capital city of Sofia. It presents and discusses statistical data and sociological surveys related to book production and reading practices. This paper not only examines the reasons for the territorial imbalance in book publishing but also identifies its economic and social consequences. The comparative analysis of statistical data leads to the conclusion that the discrepancies in quantitative parameters, such as the number of books and print-runs, could lead to considerable discrepancies in access to books and reading attitudes. Finally, the study foresees a further increase in the territorial imbalance in the Bulgarian book industry as a sustainable trend with long-term economic, social, and cultural effects.
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