Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Bulgarian People
The Bulgarian Character
Five centuries of brutal foreign occupation under the Ottoman Empire, and, more recently,
four decades of totalitarian communist rule, might not be the happiest of back-stories, but
the Bulgarians have maintained a strong pride in their history and traditions. Many express
a worldly wise, cynical outlook on life and have a keen, dark sense of humour; high levels
of corruption and uneven economic fortunes have taught them not to expect too much of
politicians and bureaucrats.
Warm and open to strangers, Bulgarians are a
welcoming and hospitable people, and most are
genuinely concerned that you leave their coun-
try with only good impressions. They tend to be
informal, easy-going and approachable, and
parties and random get-togethers are common,
usually involving plenty of alcohol. Bulgarians
have rather freer attitudes towards personal space than most Western Europeans; don't be
surprised if strangers ask to join you at tables in restaurants if no other seats are available.
Holidays of the Bulgarians in Myths and Legends
by Nikolay Nikov is a fascinating account of the
traditions and customs associated with all the major
festivals.
Bulgarian Society
Like other Eastern European nations, Bulgaria remains a largely conservative and tradition-
al society. Macho culture prevails, with often old-fashioned attitudes adopted towards wo-
men, and outright hostility towards gays and lesbians is not uncommon.
Rural life goes on much as it has done for the
last century or so. You'll still see headscarfed
old women toiling in the fields and donkeys
pulling carts along the dirt tracks running
through tumbledown villages. However, even
the remotest areas are beginning to see the ef-
fects of foreign investment as ramshackle old
houses are snapped up by developers for holiday homes and construction projects shoot up
in and around the more popular areas.
In
A Street Without a Name
, Bulgarian-born travel-
writer Kapka Kassabova recalls her childhood un-
der communism and offers a unique perspective on
Bulgaria today.
