Bulceedings: Ukrainian Film Festival Director Faces Harassment at Home
In an alarming turn of events, Tanya Staneva, the director of the International Ethnographic Film Festival "OKO," has fallen victim to apparent intimidation tactics at her family home in a Ukrainian village. The festival, which showcases ethnographic films, has been running in both Bolgrad, Ukraine, and the Bulgarian capital, Sofia.
A Night of Fear
The eerie incident transpired in the early hours of January 7. Staneva’s family discovered that the gate leading to their courtyard had been dismantled around 3:00 AM. They contacted the police at around 5:00 AM, suspicions of harassment already stirring.
"Our home has always been open to friends, neighbors, and guests," Staneva recounts. "We’ve never had cameras, but perhaps it’s time we install them."
The "OKO" festival, organized by Staneva, has served as a platform for Ukrainian films that delve into the realities of life in a country grappling with war and occupation. FrogNews was among the guests at Staneva’s home during the Bolgrad festival in September 2024.
The Morning After
At around 6:30 AM, the family found the gate, upturned some 20-30 meters from the house. "It took three men to carry it back. That suggests there were around five or six people involved," Staneva reported on Facebook.
A Chilling Discovery
7:13 AM – As dawn broke, Staneva’s father woke up and spotted a chilling message scrawled on the fence: "Don’t bark, don’t curse, don’t open your mouth" – a clear threat.
7:36 AM – Upon righting the gate, they found a sinus clear image of the Ukrainian coat of arms, a five-pointed Star of David, and a devil’s head in the lower corner.
A War of Words
"Where else would you see such a desecration of Ukraine’s national symbol? Precisely where – in the occupied territories. And the harassment for my pro-Ukraine stance and freedom of speech? That’s there too," Stanೇವa wrote.
A Search for Answers
The incident is being investigated under several charges, including hooliganism, property damage, restrictions on freedom of speech, and desecration of state symbols.
Stanevа, a journalist by profession, is determined to find those responsible. "I’m not just some Tanya Stanuerra who likes to provoke. I’m a professional journalist with the right to defend my work. I won’t be silenced."
Vows of Silence
Staneva believes the perpetrators may include "Russophile neighbors waiting for an opportunity to strike." She vows to uncover the truth, adding, "They think they can scare me into silence. But I won’t back down."
