Dancing Bear Park Director: Eldora Traykova Running Time: 52 minutes Bulgaria 2004 Post Screening Discussion With Director       Bulgaria is the last country in Europe where until relatively recently dancing bears could be seen in the streets, led on chains by gypsy bear-wards. Under pressure from ecology organizations this practice was banned. With the help of Western foundations, including Brigitte Bardot’s foundation for animals, Dancing Bear Park was built near the small mountain town of Betitsa, and the surviving animals were resettled there. Each bear has 35 acres of land at its disposal and there is a huge swimming pool – the annual budget comes to nearly £1 million. The film tells the story of the bears and the people. The region has 90% unemployment and many are literally at starvation level. It is one of the most deprived parts of the country. The story of the park reveals a dramatic story of present day reality in Bulgaria.       Screening: 27 October at 2.00 p.m.: Old Fire Station 27 October at 6.15 p.m.: Old Fire Station