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Memory in TransitionMain MenuAcknowledgementsVision for the projectHistory of Vazov Machine WorksSense of placeOral history interviews ИнтервютатаSocial benefactor role and the social life at VMZTechnical Education & IndustrializationVMZ in the present and the futureIva Dimitrova12c290baea16a0189a13a8b865c7c2aa09c81a91
Interviewee talks about early childhood memories, including bread shortages at the store, waiting in line to buy bread, and watching TV on her neighbors' TV set. She talks about attending primary school in her village, and deciding to study at a regular high school rather than a technical high school. She discusses some people's political privilege in the education system and links it to her not being accepted for post-secondary education in her field. She talks about the mandatory rule that students had to start work immediately after graduation, and how she started work at VMZ Sopot. She reflects on the hierarchical organizational structure of VMZ and its limitation on individual worker initiative and feedback. She is critical of the economic changes and restructuring that happened during the democratic transition. She reflects on her layoff from VMZ and career trajectory afterwards, her son’s emigration to England, and becoming self-employed. She also reflects on the economic pull factors that cause a brain drain of young Bulgarian workers to Western countries. In conclusion, she reflects on the future of VMZ and weapons production in Bulgaria and relates it to idea of fate.