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Virgins for Sale!
Young Brides for Sale: Gypsy Marriage Market
The price of a bride can reach 200,000 Bulgarian leva today. This astronomical sum shapes the reality of the Kiji clan, where families travel from all corners of the country to gather annually in Stara Zagora.
The event transforms the bus station into a vibrant matrimonial market, where cars and buses arrive loaded with entire families, each with their own expectations and negotiations in mind. The atmosphere blends tension and celebration as deals are made and futures decided.
Young women between 14 and 18 years old are at the center of this ancestral tradition that survives in the European Union. Virginity defines these girls’ destinies — a characteristic so valued that it determines not only the price but the entire family’s reputation.
A young woman who isn’t a virgin becomes practically unsellable, tarnishing her family’s name and drastically reducing her chances of an advantageous marriage. This system imposes strict rules on communication between young people, creating an environment of constant surveillance and severe social restrictions.
Facebook and other social networks are revolutionizing traditional meetings — young people develop virtual connections long before the physical market. They exchange messages, share photos…
