Crumbling brick buildings hidden in the vegetation hint at small settlements that existed during communist times in Ivaylovgrad Province. During the building of the now substantial dam named for the region, these buildings were occupied for roughly six years before being abandoned. Their remains can still be seen today. Similarly, villages are losing people looking for jobs in cities and beyond, but there is some hope in the current generation. People are again interested in the old ways and the village lifestyle. Many places have dwindling populations numbering in the teens or twenties, but there is hope they will be revitalized.
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