What is the culture of Bulgaria?

The culture of Bulgaria is based on an interesting blend of Thracian, Slavic and Bulgar traditions, along with the influence of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Many ancient customs remain, such as Thracian fire dancing, which is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

What is unique about Bulgarian culture?

Bulgaria is proud of its rich, traditional religion and is known globally for Bulgarian folk music and opera performers and musicians. Folk music and dances, national clothes, and ancient ceremonies all play a significant role in the culture of Bulgaria.

Does Bulgaria have culture?

Contemporary Bulgarian culture is a lively blend of millennium-old folk traditions and a more formal culture that played a vital role in the emergence of national consciousness under Ottoman rule and in the development of a modern state.

What is the Bulgarian tradition?

Tie a Martenitsa Around Your Wrist in March

The holiday is called Baba Marta (Grandma March) and is a celebration of the coming of spring. Bulgarian children are taught that Grandma March is the one who brings the spring together with their martenitsa.

What is Bulgaria mostly known for?

Bulgaria is famous as the oldest country in Europe! Founded in 681 AD by Khan Asparuh and since then preserved its original name. Bulgaria is also famous for its natural diversity as mountains, plains, Black Sea Coast, rivers, lakes and hot springs.

15 Things You Didn't Know About Bulgaria

What is traditional Bulgarian food?

Bulgarian cuisine shares a number of dishes with Middle Eastern cuisine, including popular dishes like moussaka, gyuvetch, kyufte and baklava. White brine cheese called "sirene" (сирене), similar to feta, is also a popular ingredient used in salads and a variety of pastries.

What's the main religion in Bulgaria?

The constitution recognizes Eastern Orthodox Christianity as the country's “traditional” religion, and the law exempts the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) from registration.

How do Bulgarians dress?

Bulgarian folk costumes consist of pants, shirts, vests and girdles for men, and dresses and aprons for women. Commonly, female costumes are divided into four categories: one-apron, two-apron clothes, tunics, and the Saya garment.

What is the most important values in Bulgarian society?

Iva: Bulgarian families are typically and that tradition has remained one of the most important values in Bulgarian society, Yuri: For example, many households consist of an extended family.

How Bulgarians Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas Eve might be all vegetarian, but on Christmas Day, it's time for feasting on an enormous dinner that includes a main meat dish, usually pork. Exchanging gifts on Christmas morning is very common among Bulgarian families and Santa Claus is called Dyado Koleda which translates to Grandfather Christmas.

Is Bulgaria a poor country?

Bulgaria has a well-educated workforce, but it is considered the poorest nation in the European Union.

What is the alphabet of the Bulgarians?

Bulgarian is written in the Cyrillic alphabet, like many Eastern Slavic languages, and Bulgaria is in fact where Cyrillic originated.

What is the ethnicity of Bulgarians?

Bulgarians are a South Slavic ethnic group, mostly found in Bulgaria and the surrounding regions. The group originated from people of different origins who were assimilated by the Slavic settlers in the First Bulgarian Empire founded in 681. Today, there are approximately 6 million Bulgarians in the country.

What are the most popular sports in Bulgaria?

What currency is Bulgaria?

The Bulgarian lev (BGN) is the official currency of Bulgaria. While Bulgaria is an EU member state, it has not adopted the euro as its currency. Each lev (meaning 'lion') can be divided into 100 stotinki. The plural of lev is leva.

Is Bulgarian hard to learn?

Bulgarian is known as one of the most difficult languages in the World (category 4), knowing that Japanese is in the most complex category (5). Learning Bulgarian is estimated to 44 weeks (1100 hours).

How do you say hi in Bulgarian language?

Zdrasti! Здрасти means “Hi,” or “Hello.” We should only use this greeting with friends or relatives. There is another informal way to say “Hello” – Здравей! It has the same meaning as Здрасти and is used when we speak with only one person.

What do Bulgarians eat for Christmas?

Consequently, Bulgarians usually feast on an array of vegetarian dishes on December 24, including bean soup, "sarmi" (stuffed cabbage leaves), stuffed peppers, various pastries, compote, as well as fruit and nuts, dried plums, and dried apricots.

Is Bulgaria in Africa?

Bulgaria, officially Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgarian Republika Bŭlgariya, country occupying the eastern portion of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Founded in the 7th century, Bulgaria is one of the oldest states on the European continent.

What do people wear in Bulgaria in the summer?

To style tips for Bulgaria

Wear them with cool layers such as camisoles or t-shirt for the summer, or warmer ones e.g. a long-sleeved shirt and sweater in the winter. In the summer wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.

Is there religious freedom in Bulgaria?

The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion. The government generally enforces these provisions, and citizens have the right to sue the government for violations of religious freedom.

What do Bulgarian Orthodox believe?

Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. The Orthodox Church differs substantially in the way of life and worship.

Where do most people live in Bulgaria?

Roughly three-quarters of Bulgarian citizens live in or around urban areas, and several sizable cities reflect this. The capital, Sofia, is also the largest city with an estimated population of 1.2 million people, meaning around 1/6 of the population resides in the Sofia area.

What is the drink of Bulgaria?

The most emblematic of all Bulgarian alcoholic drinks is rakia, the strong plum, grape, or other fruit brandy. Many Bulgarians distill their own rakia and are really proud to serve you their own product. The homemade rakia is usually much stronger than the one bought in stores.