Bulgarian Carpet Making (Kilimarstvo)

Parts of the distinctive charm of the Bulgarian culture are its beautiful carpets and rugs, which decorated the Bulgarian homes in the past. The typical bright and cheerful colors and patterns create a unique and impressive atmosphere and comfort. There are two techniques for ornamentation of decorative fabrics - smooth and tied. The oldest record of textile carpet ornaments in Bulgaria dates back to the late eleventh century. In Bulgaria the carpet making reached its zenith during the Revival Age (18th - 19^th century). Some of the famous carpet-making centers of that time were Gabrovo, Kotel, Sliven, Chiprovtsi, Samokov, Panagyurishte, etc. The two main urban centers, however, were the towns of Kotel and Chiprovtsi.The techniques for carpet making bear their names – Kotel and Chiprovtsi techniques.

*The technology for fabric making was known in our country since ancient times - from the 6th - 5th century BC, and according to scientists, carpet weaving began in the 1st century BC.

Bulgarian rugs are doublesided and are weaved on a vertical loom. There are two common ways to form shapes - the Kotel technique is characterized by the formation of open-works (embroidery) on the contour of figures, and the Chiprtsi technique has no open-works.

The oldest Kotel carpets were made of fur and are known under the name “chols”. Later on the craftsmen began using wool, and by the midnineteenth century even cotton was added to the carpet making. The decoration of Kotel carpets is mostly geometric, and later, with the development of the technique, stylized flowers began to appear as well as animals and human figures. In many woven carpets one can see the owner’s name, the year of manufacture and the name of the weaver.

Among the most popular colors are indigo-blue, bright blue, blazing red, burgundy, olive

and black, but there is always only one dominant color. Very typical for the carpet coloring is the fact that it is achieved by natural dyes, for example the green color is derived from walnut leaves. In Kotel carpet was never an ordinary covering fabric. Even in the richest homes the carpets were only used to cover the floor of the room, reserved for family celebrations or for guests. Most typical of the Kotel carpets are the highly stylized stars with hooks - the curly stars. The craftsmen also weaved images of objects from the everyday life into the carpets, such as wine vessels, shepherd’s crooks, etc.

More about the Kotel technique for carpet making can be learned from the exhibition of Old Kotel Carpets and Fabrics at the Galatan School. The Galatan school was built in 1869. The exhibition traces the overall development of the carpet weaving tradition in Kotel - from the rug, through the classical Kotel carpet, to the contemporary models of weaved carpets. The exhibited carpets date back to the 18th - 19th century. The second floor of the building presents an exhibition of unique fabrics in religious and historical themes.

The Chiprovtsi carpets are made of pure wool and cotton. These carpets are known for their small geometric motifs based on triangular forms. The carpets are made with a smooth carpet texture with two faces with edges (one or more) and a main part. For the coloring of the Chiprovtsi carpets are used natural dyes as well. The most typical colors are indigo blue, brown, ocher and green. More about the development of weaving and the textile industry as a whole can be learned in Sliven. In 1836 there was established the first factory in Bulgaria, which was a textile factory. Its founder was the Bulgarian entrepreneur Dobri Zhelyazkov, who studied textile machinery production in Ukraine, then returned to Bulgaria and with the permission of the Ottoman authorities he built the first textile factory in Bulgaria.

Nowadays the only textile museum of its kind, which tells the history of textile production from antiquity to the present day, is located in Sliven. In the museum visitors can see many interesting exhibits, including vertical and horizontal looms, spinning tools, mechanical weaving machines, etc. One of the most valuable exhibits is a jacquard loom, which is part of the revolutionary processes in the technology of fabric production.

Special attention is paid to the work of Dobri Zhelyazkov.

The tradition of carpet-weaving and manufacturing has continued in Bulgaria to the present day. Masters in these two Bulgarian towns - Kotel and Chiprovtsi - continue making Chiprovtsi and Kotel carpets in the traditional technology.

I am providing a link to the website of the textile museum in Sliven, because the website provides virtual tour : 

http://www.polytechnicmuseum.org/index.php?option=com_datsogallery&Itemid=27

Bulgarian Yogurt (Kiselo Mlyako)

Bulgarian yogurt (Kiselo Mlyako)

 Bulgarian yogurt is known all over the world for the qualities of

its taste. For the people around the world it is a delicacy and for

Bulgarian people it is part of their daily menu, which is always

present on the table. Bulgarian people use yogurt to make many

dishes. The yogurt is included into the composition of recipes for

soups, salads, desserts, garnishes, etc. Yogurt can be made at home

as long as you follow certain basic rules.

But what makes Bulgaria different from other countries and what causes the fact that only here, this small country on the Balkan Peninsula offers the most delicious yogurt in the world?

The reason lies in a small bacterium known by different names, but it is most often called Lactobacillus bulgaricus. It causes the fermentation of milk and its superb taste. Its discoverer is the remarkable Bulgarian bacteriologist Dr. Stamen Grigorov.

Stamen Grigorov (1878 – 1945)

Stamen Grigorov was born in the village of Studen Izvor in Tran area in 1878. The homeland of Grigorov – the region of Tran, is famous throughout the country for its delicious yogurt. Ever since he was a child, Grigorov was strongly attracted to nature and science, and the teachers at school were impressed by the ease with which he absorbed the material. His curiosity and his ambitions took him to the Male High School in Sofia - the most prestigious school at those times in Bulgaria, and immediately thereafter, to Montpellier, France, where he studied natural sciences. After graduating, Grigorov continued his studies in the sphere of medicine in Geneva, where he met the famous  bacteriologist Professor Masol. The professor was impressed by the young Bulgarian and tolerated him, and he even appointed him as his assistant. This was a great opportunity for Grigorov because it gave him access to the professor’s laboratory, which was one of the best equipped laboratories of its time. And there he made his greatest discovery!

At that time - about the beginning of the twentieth century, the purpose

of Stamen Grigorov was to understand which microorganism caused the

fermentation of milk. At the same time, by the initiative of Pasteur’s Institute in

Paris, whose director was the emigrant bacteriologist from Russia, Ilya Ilyich

Mechnikov, a survey was carried out around the world about the number of

centenarians and their share of the population of each country. Surprisingly,

it appeared that most centenarians lived in Bulgaria. By the way of logic,

Mechnikov concluded that the cause for their longevity lied in the daily

consumption of Bulgarian yogurt. This raised the question - how to make

yogurt in other countries.

Just then Mechnikov received a letter from Geneva, by his colleague Prof.

Massol, from which he learned that the young Bulgarian Assistant of Massol had solved the mystery and had isolated a rod-shaped

bacterium that causes the milk to turn sour and develop a specific taste.

Mechnikov invited the young scientist to Paris, where he offered him to

present his discovery to the most influential scientific community. Grigorov

delivered his report and induced the applause of the scientists. Soon his

name appeared in numerous scientific journals and was added to the

name of the bacterium - “Lactobacillus delbureckii subsp. bulgaricus

Grigoroff 1905 “.

Later, after completing his doctorate, Grigorov returned to Bulgaria

and diverted a number of proposals. One of them was to take over the

leadership of the Pasteur Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The young doctor

returned to his native county and became a physician and head of the

hospital in the town of Tran. Later, he worked on a number of studies on

the treatment of tuberculosis and lung diseases. He died in Bulgaria

in 1945.

Nowadays, owing to Dr. Stamen Grigorov, the centuries-old secret of

yogurt is solved. Its undeniable taste and dietetic qualities are the reason

it is known all over the world and is one of the symbols of Bulgaria.

Nowadays in the home village of Stamen Grigorov there is

a museum dedicated to yogurt. The museum is situated in a

recently restored old house. The first floor exhibits an interesting

ethnographic collection of female costumes from the area of

Tran, as well as various containers and equipment for dairy

products production and storage. There is a “lump” for butter

churning and other ceramic cookware for yogurt making. The exhibition on the second floor is dedicated to industrial production of yogurt and to the discoverer of the sour milk bacteria.

Recipe

In order to make yogurt at home, you will need milk and

some yogurt for ferment (1 tablespoon yogurt will be

enough for a liter of milk). Boil the milk in advance and let it

cool to a temperature of about 42-45° C. If you don’t have a

thermometer, you can dip your little finger in the milk. It is

suitable for souring if it is not hot and has a pleasant warm

temperature.

1.

Pour the boiled milk in a pot,

leaving about 50 grams aside.

2.

Prepare the ferment in another

small bowl. Mix the yogurt

with the rest of the milk and

stir.

3.

Add the ferment to the warm

milk and stir.

4.

Cover the container with a cloth to

keep the heat and leave for 3-4 hours,

check it from time to time.

5.

Remove the towel and leave

the milk to cool after you

make sure that the milk has

fermented.

Milk should not be allowed to ferment longer, as it will become

too sour and won’t have a pleasant taste. The ready yogurt can

be consumed directly or can be included in other meals - tarator

(cucumber soup), salad, buttermilk, desserts, etc. The milk has best

taste qualities when it is cold.

I also found this amazing website which includes a lot of recipes with bulgarian yogurt and decided to share it with you : 

http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blyogurtindex.htm

Enjoy ! 

The Bulgarian Alphabet

Here is the Bulgarian Phonetic:

Here is how we write the letters (handwriting) : 

Common expressions you might need to know: 

A little bit of history behind the alphabet :

The Cyrillic script or azbuka is an alphabetic writing system. It is based on the Early Cyrillic, which was developed in the First Bulgarian Empire during the 10th century AD at the Preslav Literary School. It is the basis of alphabets used in various languages, past and present, in parts of the Balkans and Northern Eurasia, especially those of Slavic origin, and non-Slavic languages influenced by Russian. As of 2011 around 252 million people inEurope and Asia use it as the official alphabet for their national languages. About half of them are in Russia. Cyrillic is one of the most used writing systems in the world.

Cyrillic is derived from the Greek uncial script, augmented by ligatures and consonants from the older Glagolitic alphabet and Old Church Slavonic for sounds not found in Greek. It is named in honor of the two Byzantine Greekbrothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created the Glagolitic alphabet earlier on. Modern scholars believe that Cyrillic was developed and formalized by early disciples of Cyril and Methodius.

With the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union on 1 January 2007, Cyrillic became the third official script of the European Union, following the Latin and Greek scripts.

Birds In Bulgaria

 Bulgaria occupies a very favorable location - the migratory paths of many birds pass through the country. Bulgaria is one of the countries in Europe with the greatest biodiversity, especially regarding birds, and it is one of the countries with the highest bird concentration. So far in Bulgaria are registered and recorded 397 bird species, 59 of which were seen for the first time in the last 50 years. Two of the main migration bird routes - Via Pontica (Black Sea coast) and Via Aristotelis (along the Struma River Valley) pass through our country. There are 90 important ornithological areas in Bulgaria. 57 of them are wetlands. The easily accessible ornithologically important areas are frequently visited and are included in each bird monitoring program. There are about 40 such places in the country. Some the most important places are the lake Srebarna, the Danube wetlands, the Burgas lakes - Vaya, Atanasovsko lake, the area Poda, the Pomorie lake, Kamchia and Ropotamo reserves, Alepu swamp, the Black Sea cape Kaliakra, the Shabla and Durankulak lakes, the area near the town of Madzharovo in the eastern Rhodope mountain and many others. Most of these places have visitor centers and special facilities for bird observation. In Bulgaria, Natura 2000 (general European network of protected territories) includes 114 protected areas for wild birds preservation, covering 20.3% of the territory of the country.

Biosphere Reserve “Srebarna”

The lake Srebarna is located near the Danube River, 16 kilometers west of Silistra. Due to its high biodiversity, the lake was declared a reserve.In Srebarna Reserve, which is under the aegis of UNESCO, lives a colony of over 200 Dalmatian pelicans (the largest colony in Europe). Srebarna is one of the most important nesting places in the country for the little bittern, the black crowned night heron, the squacco heron, the glossy ibis and the Eurasian spoonbills. Some of the birds, which spend the winter at this reserve, are the globally endangered pygmy cormorants and the red-breasted goose. During the winter season, there is a significant concentration of greater white-fronted gooses, grey gooses and fieldfares at the reserve.

Natural Park “Persina”

The natural park “Persina” is located at the northern border of Republic of Bulgaria, along the river valley of the Danube river. It covers all Bulgarian Danube islands in this part of the Danube river. One of the greatest wealths of the park is birds – more than 200 species have been described. The Belene island complex was determined as one of the five most important habitats in the region for the large cormorant (Phalacrokorax carbo), small cormorant (Palacrocorax pygumeus), nocturnal heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), sandwich heron (Ardeola ralloides), etc. Five nests of sea eagle (Haliaetus albicill) have been registered on the territory of the park, as well as two couples of these bird species. The park offers specified eco routes with places for relaxation, as well as shelters for bird watching.

Atanasovsko Lake

Atanasovsko lake is located northeast of Bourgas. It is home to over 300 registered bird species.  14 of them are globally endangered: the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), the Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), the Red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis), the lesser white-fronted goose (Ansererythropus), Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris), the Corncrake (Crex crex), the Ferruginous Duck (Aythyanyroca). The migration route Via Pontica passes over the lake. Atanasovsko lake does not freeze in winter, which makes it a preferred wintering place for waterfowl birds. In summer the lake is populated by winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus), Pied avocets (Recurvirostraavosetta) and other birds.

Poda Area

The protected area Poda is located four kilometers south of Burgas at the left side of the main road from Burgas to Istanbul. It is managed by the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds. It is one of the richest ornithological sites in Europe and is home to 265 bird species, such as the only mixed colony of white spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) , glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), night, red, gray, Squacco and Little Egret (Ardea) at the Black Sea coast. 46 of the species are nesting, and the most attractive among them are the river terns (Sterna hirundo), large cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), various species of diving ducks (Aythya) and ducks (Anatidae), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and others.

Burgas Lake (Vaya)

The Burgas lake is located in the heart of Burgas, between two of its residential sections -Upper and Lower Ezerovo. It is also known as Lake Vaya. It is the largest natural lake in the country. During the various seasons, here visitors can see about 260 bird species. Many of them are rare in the country and Europe, and nine species are globally endangered. There are few places in Bulgaria where one can observe a gathering of nesting colonies of Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) and Squacco herons (Ardeolaralloides). In winter here gather small cormorants (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus), red-breasted geeses (Branta ruficollis), stiff-tailed ducks (Oxyura), pochards (Aythya ferina) and hooded ducks (Aythya fuligula).

 

Pomorie Lake

The Pomorie lake is located at a distance of 25 kilometers from Burgas and 2 kilometers north of Pomorie. The bird migration route Via Pontica passes above it. This is the reason for its wide variety of birds - a total of 269 species (nesting, wintering, migratory). 57 bird species nest in the region, such as Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), Black winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), common tern (Sterna hirrundo), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and others. The only Museum of Salt in Bulgaria is located at the veryshore of Pomorie lake.

Alepu Swamp

Alepu swamp is located about 7 kilometers south of Sozopol. The area is habitat for many rare animal and plant species. The swamp is habitat and wintering place for the pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), various species of herons, ducks and swans. The area is one of the few nesting sites of the sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) at the Black Sea coast. 

Ropotamo Reserve

Ropotamo Reserve is located about 50 kilometers south of Burgas, at both sides of the Ropotamo river. The area is home to 260 bird species, including white stork (C. Ciconia), sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Semicollared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata), various types of herons, ducks, pygmy cormorants (Ph. Pygmeus).

Kamchia

The Kamchia Reserve covers the lower valley of Kamchia river, 25 kilometers south of Varna. 258 bird species are registered in the area, which is about 66% of the species diversity in Bulgaria. Kamchia reserve is a nesting area for several rare for Bulgaria and Europe bird species such as the black stork (Ciconia nigra), the small spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), the Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo), and others. Here passes the migration route Via Pontica.

Cape Kaliakra

Cape Kaliakra is situated 80 kilometers north of Varna, 12 kilometers east of Kavarna and 4 kilometers from village of Balgarevo. Every autumn from August to October, considerable number of migratory birds cross the territory over cape Kaliakra - more than 29,000 storks, pelicans and cranes, and over 3,000 raptors, including the globally endangered species Pallid Harrier (Circusmacrourus), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) and Imperial Eagle(Aquila heliaca).

Shabla Lake

The protected area Shabla lake is located in northeastern Bulgaria, about 5 kilometers

from Shabla and 18 kilometers from the border between Bulgaria and Romania. 247 species of birds have been identified on the territory of the locality. 137 bird species are of European importance. Shabla lake is a nesting area for endangered species such as the corncrake (Crex crex) and the ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca). During autumn and winter visitors can see the White headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus). 80-90% of the world population of the Red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis) winters in the area of Shabla lake.

Durankulak Lake

Durankulak Lake is located 15 kilometers north of Shabla. Here passes the migratory route Via Pontica. 256 bird species have been registered in the area, 92 of them are nesting. The lake is a nesting place for the Small bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), Lesser grey Shrike (Lanius minor), Ferruginous Duck (Aythyanyroca), sea plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and others. The lake is a wintering place for the populations of three species of waterfowl birds - large whitefronted goose, red breasted goose, green-headed goose.

Madzharovo

In the Eastern Rhodope, 10 kilometers northeast of the town of Madzharovo, lies the village of Borislavtsi, and the area between the two towns is one of the most popular destinations for ornithological tourism in the country. 174 bird species are registered, 78 of which are of European conservation concern. Among the interesting species are Spanish Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica), the large olive warbler (Hippolais olivetorum), the Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans), the small Black-headed Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala), the rock nuthatch (Sitta neumayer) and Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala), lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), black stork (Ciconia nigra).

Bulgarian Rose - The Pride of Bulgaria

The Bulgarian oil yielding rose is a symbol of Bulgaria.    It embodies the freshness  of nature, the aesthetics of Bulgarian culture and the pursuit of beauty and happiness.

Rose is grown for rose oil production and for other derivative products used in the perfume industry. Bulgarian rose oil is of superior quality that is unrivaled in the world. It is a material, preferred by many reputable perfumery manufacturers. Its secret lies in the technology of extraction - by triple distillation and intermediate cooling.

The evergreen gardens of South China are considered home for the oil-yielding rose.Despite the fact that the oil-yielding rose does not originate from Bulgaria, the local climate is its most favorable environment for flourishing. Later the plant spread over other Asian regions - India, Persia, Syria and Afghanistan. The oil-yielding rose was brought to Bulgaria by the Ottoman Turks, who used rose oil in some of the Muslim rituals. The strongest tradition in rose production is near the towns of Karlovo and Kazanlak

Not surprisingly, this region is called the Valley of Roses. Rose growing was the main livelihood of the local population. The Rose Institute and the only in the world museum of roses, where you can learn about the history of the plant and about rose production in Bulgaria, are located in Kazanlak.Rose harvest in Kazanlak and Karlovo is held in late May and is associated with joy, feasts and songs. Oil-yielding rose is picked early in the morning, when the leaves of the plant are covered with drops of dew. It is these drops, where the rose oil is stored, and they are the key to high quality rose products.The Festival of Roses in Kazanlak, which takes place in the days of rose-picking, is one of the most joyful and beautiful festivals in the country. Many guests from Bulgaria and abroad gather in the town and witness a pageant of roses, songs and beautiful rituals.

Early in the morning is the festive rose picking, when beautiful girls, dressed in festive Bulgarian costumes, collect the rose blossoms and adorn with them for health and beauty. After that follows the choosing of a Rose Queen - the most beautiful girl, who participated in the ritual.Celebrations continue with a folklore procession and tasting of rose foods and beverages in the ethnographic complex of Kazanlak. Here you can taste rose jam, rose brandy or fragrant rose liqueur.

Rose Jam

Rose Liquors

Bulgarian Rose Cosmetics

Bulgaria - Cuisine

Traditional Cuisine In Bulgaria

Bulgarian cuisine is exceptionally diverse and delicious, consisting of various salads, breadstuffs, stews, and other local dishes. Many of the dishes are prepared according to traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation over the centuries.

The most products for which Bulgaria is internationally known are yogurt and white brine (feta) cheese. These are almost always present on Bulgarian tables in one form or another.

One of the most famous and most popular breakfast items in the country is banitsa. It is a made of dough with various fillings, such as cheese, spinach, rice, and meat.

Other popular breakfasts dishes include pancakes, buhtas (fritters), mekitsas (fried dough pieces), and fried bread slices. All of these are particularly delicious when served with jam, marmalade, honey or Bulgarian yogurt.

People in rural areas grow vegetables that are exceptionally tasty, which is why salads occupy a central place in our culinary tradition. The most popular Bulgarian salad is the Shopska Salad, but there are also other salads worth trying – Shepherd’s Salad, Harvest Salad, Snezhanka, Monk’s Salad, Dobrudzha Salad, Roasted Peppers Salad, and many others.

One of the most popular appetizers is Tarator (cold Cucumber Soup). It is prepared with yogurt, cucumbers, dill, crushed walnuts and spices.

Soups and broths are also popular in the countryside – particularly delicious bean soups are served in the region of the village Smilyan, in the Rhodope Mountain. Excellent fish soups are served in the regions of the Black Sea and the Danube River.

Some of the most popular Bulgarian dishes are grilled – meat balls, kebapches, grilled meat pieces, grilled sausages, and others. Various stews and dishes in clay pots are also a regular part of the Bulgaria cuisine (hotchpotch and casseroles). These include Chomlek, Kavarma, and Kapama (in the Bansko region).

Another favorite Bulgarian dish is prepared with stuffed cabbage or vine leaves – the leaves used may be either small or broad. The dish, which is prepared by wrapping the filling in the leaves, is very popular in the Thracian region.

One of the trademarks of the Bulgarian cuisine is Cheverme – an entire lamb roasted on a spit. This dish is typical for the Rhodope region, but it is also served throughout the country.

Potatoes are a main ingredient in many Bulgarian recipes. The most popular potato dishes include Ogreten (au gratin), Patatnik (in the Rhodope region), potato stew, and fried potatoes.

Bulgaria’s cuisine also consists of various cold cuts and other meat delicacies. Flat sausage is the most famous of thewse. It is prepared all over the country, but it has the longest tradition in the city of Gorna Oryahovitsa. Another popular delicacy is the Banski Starets (the “Bansko Old Man”). As the name suggests, it is served in Bansko. In Elena and the region known as the Elena Balkans, a specialty is the Elena Pork Leg, prepared with salted pork.

Such delicacies are usually accompanied with a Bulgarian wine, since Bulgaria is justly famous for its wines. Thanks to the country’s unique climate and soils, a variety of grapes thrive here – Gamza (North Bulgaria), the Wide Melnik Vine (in the region of Melnik and Sandanski), Dimyat (in the regions of Varna, Shumen and Stara Zagora), Mavrud (Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Asenovgrad), Red Misket (Straldzha and Sungurlare), Ruby (Plovdiv and Septemvri) and Pamid (Pazardzhik, Pamidovo and Plovdiv).

Another very popular Bulgarian spirit is Rakia. It is made of grapes or other fruits – plums (in the region of the town of Troyan, Teteven), apricots (in the region of Tutrakan, Silistra, Dobrich), figs, pears, and others. A rose rakia is distilled in the Valley of Roses (in the region of Karlovo and Kazanlak), since this is the home of Bulgaria’s oil-yielding roses.

This brief introduction only touches on the diverse Bulgarian dishes and drinks. To fully know the culinary magic of the country, it is necessary to visit all of the regions where the traditional recipes are proudly maintained and culinary delights are constantly on offer.

Bulgaria - Lifestyle, Culture, Customs and Traditions

Lifestyle, Culture, Customs and Traditions

Lifestyles and cultures in what is now Bulgaria have developed over thousands of years. The country is located at the crossroad between Europe and Asia, and the lands of Bulgaria have been populated since antiquity. The Slavs and proto-Bulgarians were greatly influenced by the cultures of the Thracians, Illyrians and Greeks, and all peoples who resided on these lands – Thracians, Romans, Slavs, and Bulgarians – have contributed to the world’s cultural heritage. It is no accident that the earliest European civilization grew up here. Some of the most famous treasures in the world were discovered at the Varna necropolis, including the worlds oldest golden ornaments; There are Thracian tombs and sanctuaries in Kazanlak, Sveshtari, Starosel, Aleksandrovo, Perperikon, and Tatul. A large number of other golden artifacts have been found, in the Panagyurishte, Valchitran, Rogozen, and elsewhere. The remains of the Thracian, Hellenistic and Roman culture are many and varied. In the dozens of Thracians tombs that have been discovered, there are unique remains attesting to the high material and spiritual culture of antiquity. Entire city complexes had been found – Augusta Trayana, Trimontium, Nikopolis ad Istrum, Pautalia, Akre, Mesemvria, Apolonia, Serdika and many others. The traditions, festivals, customs, and rituals preserved by Bulgarians through the ages are evidence of the country’s profound spirituality and its dynamic lifestyle and culture.

Bulgarian customs are rooted in antiquity and are closely tied to the country’s history and particular expression of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Dancing on live coals is an ancient Bulgarian ritual still practiced in a few villages in the Balkan Mountains. The ritual in its authentic form is performed on the name day of Saints Konstantin and Helena – 21 May or (3 June according to the old calendar. Fire dancers prepare for their dance by spending hours locked in a chapel, venerating the icons of these two saints while listening to the beating of drums and the music of gaidas (Bulgarian bagpipes), which is a special melody associated with fire dancing, after which they often fall into trance. In the evening they perform their special dance on live coals. During their dance they always hold aloft in both hands an icon of Saint Konstantin and Saint Helena. Amazingly, they never get hurt or burn their feet.

“Mummers” is another local tradition that also found in other societies in the world. The Mummer games are special customs and rituals conducted most often on New Year’s Eve and at Shrovetide. They are only performed by men, who wear special masks and costumes that have been made for the occasion by each of the participants. The mummers’ ritual dances are said to chase away bad spirits and demons at the beginning of every year, so as to greet the new year cleansed and charged with positive energy.

“Laduvane” is another interesting ritual thatis performed on the New Year’s Eve, George’s Day, Midsummer’s Eve and St. Lazar’s Day. At this ritual young women predict their future in marriage and the men they will marry. They address Lada, the goddess of love and family life, to ask her about their future husbands.

“Lazaruvane” is a ritual related to coming of spring. It is conducted on St. Lazar’s Day, eight days before Easter. The date of the celebration varies, but it is always on the Saturday before the celebration of Palm Sunday. On this day willow branches are picked and used to decorate the doors of houses on the following day. Then the young maidens in the villages pick flowers to shape as garlands on Palm Sunday. On Saturday maidens gather in the home of one of their number and dress in festive clothes decorated with flowers and sprigs. Then they walk through the village from house to house, offering blessings for good health and rich harvests. They are invited in and given small gifts. Probably the most important symbol of Bulgaria is the ritual of making and giving martenitsas for health and happiness at the beginning of March. For Bulgarians this is a symbol of the year’s renewal, again intended to promote health and successful harvests.

Especially well-respected in Bulgaria are traditions related to the circle of life – birth, christening, wedding, and funeral. Saints’ name days are also highly respected in the country, the most famous ones being St. John’s day, St. George’s Day, and St. Dimitar’s Day.

The holidays that are most honored by Bulgarians are undoubtedly Christmas and Easter – when the generations all celebrate together, united by the feeling of belonging to the harmonious Bulgarian family. Also especially highly honored are the first Sunday before Lent, the second Sunday before Lent, Mother’s Day, All Soul’s Day, and Lent.

While traveling around the country, tourists will become acquainted with various rituals and customs, many of which are typical only for specific regions in Bulgaria.

The Rose is the symbol of Bulgaria. Rose picking, one of the oldest and traditional customs of Bulgarians, has become primarily a tourist attraction. Carpets from the time of the Bulgarian Revival are now highly valued works of art. The major centers of carpet weaving are Kotel, Chiprovtsi and Samokov. Along with traditional handicrafts, Bulgaria’s people have also preserved a wide range of traditional popular customs and songs.

There are a number of architectural reserves in the country that preserve the unique Bulgarian architecture from the age of the Revival (18th – 19th centuries) – Koprivshtitsa, Tryavna, Bozhentsi, Zheravna, Bansko, and Melnik, among others. In some of the ethnographic complexes, such as Etara, Zlatograd, and Old Dobrich, tourists can appreciate first-hand Bulgarian customs and handicrafts, since residents continue to make articles according to old techniques passed down from generation to generation.

During the Bulgarian Revival, the monasteries served as centers of artistic and educational activity. There are still many working monasteries in the country – Rila Monastery, Bachkovo Monastery, Troyan Monastery, Zemen Monastery, Glozhene Monastery, Kilifarevo Monastery, Shipchenski Monastery, and others. Our country is also famous for its well-established national traditions of icon painting and wood carving. The best known icons and carvings are from Samokov, Tryavna and Bansko.

The Bulgarian national costume is an intrinsic part of Bulgarian lifestyle and culture. Over the ages, folk costume designs have been influenced by Thracian, Slavonic and ancient Bulgarian motives. The basic article of clothing is a white shirt with long sleeves, worn under vests and coats of various shapes, materials and decorations. There are four types of national female costumes: the single apron, the double apron, the tunic, and the sayana, and there are two types of national male costumes: white-shirt and black-shirt. Each ethnographic area (Dobrich, Pirin, Rhodope, Northern, Thracian and Sofia) has its own typical workday, holiday and wedding costumes.

An important part Bulgarian culture is folk music and national dances, such as the horo. Instruments typically used to perform Bulgarian national music are the fiddle, the mandolin, the kaval (flute), the gaida (bagpipe), the pipe, the dvoyanka (double pipe), the drum and the taranbuka, another percussion instrument. Bulgarian folksongs are handed down orally from one generation to the next. The ensembles “Cosmic Voices”, “The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices” and the folklore ensemble “Pirin” are internationally famous. Bulgarian traditional dances are exceptionally vivid forms of artistic expression. Most often they are performed by a group of people touching palms in a closed or open circle, semicircle, serpentine pattern, or in a straight line. Participants perform similar movements in unison, along with gestures and steps to a specific melody (the horo). Depending on the rhythm and the steps, there are a number of horo types: the standard horo, the rachenitsa, the paydushko horo and the improvised horo.

Bulgaria’s museums preserve valuable collections of domestic, cultural and military articles; statues, burial steles and monuments; masks, mosaics, and small statuettes of ancient gods; and many other precious exhibits.

Bulgarians have developed their culture and enriched it over the millennia, and they preserve it and continue to develop it to the present day. In more recent times, Bulgarians have also had reason to take pride in their literature, arts, music, and architecture. A proof of ongoing involvement is Bulgaria’s rich cultural calendar of national and international festivals for young and old alike, as well as other gatherings, cultural events, and expositions.