| Temperature: |
Live Forecast |
Population: |
7.35 million |
| Time Zone: |
GMT/UTC +2 |
Driving side: |
Drivers drive on the right hand side of the road. |
| Languages: |
Bulgarian
Turkish
Romany |
| Religion: |
Bulgarian Orthodox 85%
(Muslim 13% |
| Emergency #: |
Police: 166
Fire: 160
Ambulance: 150
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Bulgaria
has a dark and oppressive past and its transition to democracy has been
troubled. Although in the throes of social and economic chaos, the
people are hospitable and friendly.
Still strongly bonded to Russia, with Russian being the second language
most spoken, the Bulgarian people cling to their legends and fables of
times gone by and it is only the younger people who are most likely to
be able to speak a strange form of English.
Meat, potatoes, beans, salads and cheese are the favoured food of the people and everything is washed down with alcohol.
Bulgarians waggle their heads from left to right to mean yes and nod to
mean no. Try to remember this as things can get very confusing when
trying to explain yourself.
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| The
bus and train networks are cheap and extensive but totally illogical.
Timetables often do not correspond with arrivals and departures, there
are mysterious cancellations and the office staff can be rude and
unhelpful. In spite of this, as long as you’re not holidaying to
deadlines these modes of transport are the best way to get around. Look
past the filthy seats, the soft-porn wallpaper and the pop music from
yesteryear. You will arrive at your destination, eventually. |
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| NATIONAL FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS |
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Christmas
– 25th and 26th December - Religious Bulgarians were forbidden to
practise during Communist rule, so they invented a secular celebration
on the following day. Since the collapse of Communism the original
Christmas Day is now celebrated along with the invented one and nobody
seems to be complaining.
Trifon Zarezan – 14th February –
Ancient festival of winegrowers. Vines are pruned and sprinkled with
wine to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Kukeri – A spring festival celebrated in the Rodopi Mountains,
participants wear traditional clothes and masks and perform ancient
dances to drive away evil spirits and ask the good spirits for a
plentiful harvest.
The Festival of Roses – Celebrated at Kazanlak Karlovo with folk
songs and dances on the first Sunday in June, is another festival
seeped in ancient history.
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| Useful Holiday links - Bulgaria |
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