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Bulgaria, in southeastern Europe, is dominated by rugged
mountains, except for the Danube lowland in the north that it shares with
Romania. Rich farmland in the Danube Valley, 130 kilometers (80 miles) of sandy
beaches on the Black Sea, and mountainous terrain characterize one of Eastern
Europe's least densely populated nations. Most of the population is urban; about
83 percent are Orthodox Christians, and some 12 percent are Muslim—the Rhodope
Mountains, along the border with Greece, are home to many Muslims, including an
ethnic Turkish minority.
Bulgarians have a tradition of gratitude towards
Russians, who in 1878 helped end 500 years of Ottoman Empire rule. After World
War II, communists gained control, and agriculture led the economy until the
1950s, when Russians from the Soviet Union helped finance steel mills, chemical
plants, and machine shops. In 1989 communist rule ended and democratic change
began. Tourists flock to Black Sea resorts and to Rila National Park, Bulgaria's
largest. Kazanluk, a town in central Bulgaria and heart of the famous Valley of
the Roses, exports rose oil—a precious ingredient in world perfume production.
As economic conditions improve, Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and is now a member
of the European
union.
Bulgaria as a whole is situated in the moderate climatic
zone. The country can be conditionally divided into two climatic zones. The
Stara Planina Mountain is considered the watershed between them. Winters are
colder in Northern Bulgaria and much milder in the Southern part of the country.
Winter temperatures vary between 0° and 7°C below zero. Very rarely
temperatures may drop below 20°C below zero. Typical continental and changeable
is the climate in spring. It is exceptionally favourable for the growth of
fruit-bearing trees, for whose fruit Bulgaria has been renowned in Europe for
centuries. Summer is hot and sweltering in Northern Bulgaria, especially along
the Danube River. The climate in Southern Bulgaria is determined by the
air-currents from the Mediterranean. Summer temperatures do not reach the
extremes as in Dobroudzha and along the Danube and are usually moderate: about
28°-30°C. The highest readings are usually taken in the towns of Rousse and
Silistra, sometimes reaching above 35°C. Autumns are mild and pleasant in
Bulgaria.
Bourgas:
The fourth largest city in Bulgaria, situated
in the south-eastern part of the country. The climate here is temperately
continental with a distinct impact from the Black Sea. The town is an industrial
center too. It's not famous as a beach resort (although few beaches you can
find), but more as a turning point to the big southern Black Sea resorts in
Bulgaria like Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sozopol, Dyuni, elenite, etc. The Airport
of Bourgas is the one where the international flights land in the summer.
The Port of Bourgas is the biggest sea port in the country. A Duty Free Zone was
established in 1989 with the objective to create most attractive conditions for
foreign investors. The favourable geographical location and advanced transport
infrastructure of Bourgas are good prerequisites for development of tourism and
trade. Bourgas is not only an important industrial centre in the country, it has
also considerable resources for tourism. What attracts people here mostly is
undoubtedly the sea. Art and culture, together with propagation of cultural
values is fostered by 7 state-owned and 11 municipal institutes. On the
territory of Bourgas municipality there are 2 universities and 4 colleges
comprising more than 6200 Bulgarian and foreign students. Bourgas is not only an
important industrial centre in the country, it has also considerable resources
for tourism. What attracts people here mostly is undoubtedly the sea. The city
is a starting point for visiting the seaside resorts in the area - The Slantchev
Bryag resort and The Elenite holiday village to the north and The Duni holiday
village, renowned for its unique architectural compostition, to the south.
Bourgas is the largest city in Southeastern Bulgaria. It spreads on four
terraces near the Bourgas creek. Bourgas is a town without running rivers. The
surrounding lakes take in water from the rivers Aitoska, Russokastrenska,
Sredetska and Fakiiska. Port Bourgas is the biggest Bulgarian sea port. The
amazing combination of sea, sun and virgin nature make Bourgas a favourite spot
for many holiday-makers.
The artistic spirit of the local people
adds up to the unique atmosphere of peace and isolation from the hectic
city life. only Bourgas enables you to enjoy the breathtaking folklore
show of the Balkan countries in the International folklore festival; the
rich variety of colours and odours in the annual National exhibition
FLORA - Bourgas excite every citizen and visitor of the town.
The event is held under the motto "Nature - Man - Harmony"; in
no other place, but Bourgas one can feel the rhythm and enjoy the dances
of the International contest for standard and Latin and American dances;
only Bourgas will give you a warm welcome - hospitality and kindness of
the southerners are deeply moving; the emotional Bourgas nights will
remain a never-to-be-forgotten experience; no other spot of Bulgaria is
so close to sea and its romantic atmosphere as Bourgas. The Old Bridge -
the symbol of the city - keeps not a single secret of young and old.
Varna:
A district town, situated on Varna Bay on the Black Sea, 469 km north-east of
Sofia; a seaside resort. Population of 301 000. Third in population after Sofia
and Plovdiv, called the seaside capital of Bulgaria. Terminal station on the
railway lines Sofia-Varna and Rouse-Varna, a sea port, an international airport,
second in traffic after Sofia.Long sand-covered beach strips. In Varna there are
4 higher educational institutes, a theatre, an opera theatre, art galleries, a
historical arts museum. Annual International Festival of Music "Varna
Summer", International Ballet Competition, Festival of the Bulgarian
Feature Film.
Roman thermae - the biggest Bulgarian find so far. Built at the end of the 2nd
C. and the beginning of the 3rd C. Covering an area of 7000 sq.m. Numerous
rooms, typical of such buildings (frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium with 3
swimming pools, reception halls, etc.). A museum compound.
Seaside Park - the biggest park of Varna, situated by the beach. Its
construction begins in 1878. Within the park area one can find the Seaside
Baths, the Navy Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Aquarium (unique
exposition of water organisms - Black Sea, freshwater, tropical fishes), the
Astronomical Observatory and the Planetarium which organizes observation seances
for visitors, Dolphinarium with an amusing show, etc. The Church of the
Assumption - this church is second in scale after St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
in Sofia. Erected in 1884-1886 by the master builder Gencho Kunev in honour of
the Liberation from Ottoman yoke. Modern Byzantine architecture. Spacious
interior, woodcarved iconostasis by masters belonging to the school of Debur,
stained glass. The church is painted in 1949-1950. Declared monument of culture.
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"If you happen to be in Bulgaria on
March 1, you'll notice that almost everyone you meet wears an adornment called
martenitsa: a brooch, bracelet, or necklace made from red and white threads.
Bulgarian tradition dictates that you must exchange these small presents and
wear them from the first day of March until you see a budding tree or a spring
bird, such as a stork or swallow, for the first time. Then you hang the
martenitsa on a tree. All of this is to ensure that we have good health for the
rest of the year. Different legends explain the tradition of exchanging
martenitsa, each associated with the martenitsa's two colors. One such folktale
is connected with Asparukh, Bulgaria's first ruler. The story says that some
1,400 years ago on March 1, a swallow delivered him a present from his sister:
flowers tied together with silk threads, one white and one red. The tradition of
exchanging small gifts with these colors has continued since."
"Leaping and dancing across hot coals to
the amazement of villagers and tourists, fire dancers honor Saints Constantine
and Helen with this yearly ritual that takes place on May 21. You can only find
this ancient tradition in the villages of the Strandzha Mountains in
southeastern Bulgaria. At the beginning of the ceremony, the leader of the
dancers blesses the village and its spring with icons of the saints. Later, the
fire dancers gather in the village square, where a fire has been built and
musicians begin to play. When the fire dancers hear the music, they start to
feel a chill in their hands and feet. Then they enter an ecstatic state and
begin to dance barefooted in the fire's glowing embers, holding the icons of the
saints high over their heads. They consider this an act of purification, and
they pray to the saints for the well-being of the village."
"Between New Year's Day and Shrovetide, the
first Sunday before Lent, Bulgarians welcome the spring with the Mummers
Festival. Men dressed as mummers, or pantomiming performers, wear masks
resembling the heads of rams, goats, and bulls to scare away the evil spirits of
winter and allow spring to arrive. Some of the masks have two faces, one kind
and the other fearful, that represent the duality of life and the indivisibility
of good and evil. Mummers adorn their costumes with special bells and perform
ritual dances, which are believed to drive away evil spirits and ensure a rich
harvest during the year."
"On the first morning of the New Year,
young children participate in a tradition called sourva. Starting from their own
homes and carrying twigs decorated with colorful threads, popcorn, dried fruit,
seeds, or bits of paper, groups of children visit the houses of relatives and
neighbors. At each house, they tap the back of each member of the host family
with their twigs and wish them a new year filled with health, happiness, and
wealth. The host rewards their visit with dried fruit, nuts, buns, sesame rings,
and other treats."
"A
more recent Bulgarian tradition emerged during the Ottoman Empire in the second
half of the 19th century. It's called chitalishte, which in English means
'reading room.' But chitalishte is in no way a mere library. Rather, these
institutions—open to all members of society without exception—began as
places to obtain a broader education and as venues for amateur art activities
such as singing, dancing, and staging plays. Almost every settlement in Bulgaria
considered it a matter of honor to have its own chitalishte, and their number
gradually rose into thousands scattered throughout the country. Over the years
one of the chitalishte's main purposes has become the preservation of the
folklore and traditions of the region in which it is located. Today, many of the
country's rites are kept alive mainly because of this unique Bulgarian
institution."
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