|
The People Between the 5th and 7th centuries Slavic tribes and then Bulgars, who are people of Turkic stock, began migrating to the area of present-day Bulgaria.
About 85 per cent of the people are ethnic Bulgarians, 8.5 per cent are Turkish, 2.6 per cent are Roma (Gypsies), and 2.5 per cent are Macedonians. Other minorities include Armenians and Russians. Sofia is the capital and largest city. Language & Religion The official language is Bulgarian, a Slavic language that uses the Cyrillic alphabet first developed in the 9th century by Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius. About half of the Turkish people in Bulgaria speak Turkish as their primary language, but most of them also speak Bulgarian. Many people can speak Russian, which was previously a required subject in school. English is now the most popular second language for children to study, followed by German and French.The Bulgarian Orthodox Church claims a membership of more than 85 per cent of all Bulgarians, and Muslims make up about 13 per cent of the population. During the Communist era, religion was discouraged, but religious freedom has now been re-established and religious holidays are openly celebrated. Marriage & Family The principle of mutual support is valued in the Bulgarian family. The family unit is very strong and supportive of its members. The elderly are often cared for by their adult children. Unmarried adults live with their parents and many newly married couples live with one set of parents until they are able to get housing of their own. Most families in urban areas live in flats, which are in short supply, while families in rural areas usually have their own houses. Many village houses are owned by families who live in urban areas, who use them for summer and weekend retreats, or as accommodation for retired parents.
Most Bulgarians expect to marry and have children. The average age for women to marry is between 18 and 25. Men tend to marry somewhat older. A church wedding often follows the legal civil ceremony, and a large reception, which often involves folk music and dancing, is held in the evening. There are many wedding traditions: guests may pin money on the bride’s dress to represent future prosperity; the groom may serenade the bride at her home; and the couple pull on opposite ends of a loaf of bread—whoever gets the largest piece will be the boss of the family. Until recently couples did not go on honeymoon; now many do. Diet & Eating Pork and lamb are the most common meats, and dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese figure prominently in the diet. Popular main meals include moussaka(a dish made with minced meat, potatoes, onions, and yoghurt) and nadenitsa (stuffed pork sausage). Kufteta is a fried meat patty mixed with breadcrumbs. Sarmi is vine leaves or cabbage stuffed with pork and rice. Grilled meat (skara), such as shischeta (skewered lamb), is very popular, especially in restaurants. Shopska is a salad made with cerene (Bulgarian cheese), cucumbers, and tomatoes. A favourite cold soup is tarator, which includes cucumbers, yoghurt, garlic, dill, walnuts, and oil. Cheese banitsa(a layered pastry) is eaten as a snack or for breakfast. Popular desserts include pumpkin banitsa, cakes, and baklava (a thin, leafy pastry with a syrup and nut filling). Coffee is usually either espresso or Turkish style. Meals are usually accompanied by a soft drink, alcohol, or coffee.
Breakfast is usually light: coffee, a cheese-filled pastry, toast, or bread rolls. Traditionally, the main meal is eaten in the middle of the day and consists of soup, salad, a main course, and dessert. But many people now have a lighter lunch and their main meal in the evening, usually after 7 PM. Meals are considered an important time for conversation. Socializing When meeting someone, Bulgarians usually shake hands. Formal greetings include Kak ste? (“How are you?”) or Zdravaite(“Hello”). The informal equivalents, Kak si? and Zdrasti or Zdrave (“Health”), are used among friends, relatives, and colleagues. Other phrases include Dobro utro (“Good morning”), Dober den (“Good day”), Dober vetcher (“Good evening”), or Leka nosht (“Good night”). Close female friends might kiss each other on the cheek. First names are used in informal circumstances. Otherwise, professional titles or Gospodin (“Mr.”), Gospozha (“Mrs.”), or Gospojitsa (“Miss”) and family names are used. When parting, it is common to say Dovizdane (“Until I see you again”). Friends might also say Vsichko hubavo (“All the best”) or Ciao (“Goodbye”).
“Yes” is indicated by shaking the head from side to side, and “no” is expressed with one or two nods of the head. In a queue or crowd, physical contact is common and accepted. Bulgarians often touch while conversing, and female friends might walk arm-in-arm down the street. Socializing in the home or in cafés is an important part of Bulgarian life. Friends and neighbours commonly drop by for a short visit without prior arrangement, and Bulgarians often invite friends over for dinner. In some homes guests are expected to remove their shoes upon entering; slippers may be provided. Evening visits usually start after 8 PM and may last late into the night on special occasions. Bulgarians take pride in being hospitable and enjoy good conversation; it is considered rude to leave early. Recreation Skiing, soccer, and basketball are popular in Bulgaria. Many people also enjoy walking or touring the countryside. In August many go to the Black Sea beaches or the mountains.
Bulgarians greatly enjoy folk dancing and music, and festivals held throughout the year highlight various aspects of traditional Bulgarian culture. In cities the performing arts (ballet, opera, classical music) are well supported, and even small towns have a local theatre. Other popular leisure activities include watching television, going to the cinema, and socializing. Young people enjoy various types of popular music, including rock, disco, and folk. Holiday & Celebrations Public holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January); National Day of Freedom and Independence (3 March); Easter; Labour Days (1–2 May); the Day of Bulgarian Culture and Science (24 May); and Christmas Day (25 December). On 24 May, Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius are honoured for developing the Cyrillic alphabet, and the country’s accomplishments in science and culture are also celebrated. Name days (the feast day of the saint after whom one is named) are important and are celebrated with a family meal.
On Christmas Eve, to celebrate the harvest and to wish that the next one be good, it is traditional to eat fruit and vegetables rather than meat. On New Year’s Day, families enjoy a large meal and exchange presents. Children go from door to door wishing good fortune to friends and relatives, carrying with them a survachka (a small, decorated stick), with which they touch the people they visit in exchange for sweets and money. At the beginning of March, Bulgarians traditionally exchange martenitsa, red-and-white yarn designs that symbolize luck and happiness. The martenitsa is worn on the clothing until a swallow is seen, after which it is hung on a branch or hidden under a rock to welcome spring and to represent the hope that the evil spirits will go to sleep. Music Traditional Bulgarian music includes folk songs and choral plain chants in the Greek mode for church services. The chief native musical instruments are the gaida, or bagpipe, and the kaval, which is a wooden shepherd’s flute. The characteristic folk dances are variations of the hora, a round chain dance, and the ruchenitsa, a lively dance of two couples. Some modern Bulgarian orchestral and operatic compositions have gained recognition in other countries. Among leading composers are Petko Stainov and Pancho Vladigerov. Libraries and Museums Large libraries in Sofia include the Central Library of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the library of the University of Sofia, and the Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius National Library. The Ivan Vazov National Library is located in Plovdiv. In addition, the people of Bulgaria are served by many smaller public libraries.
The country has more than 200 museums. In Sofia are botanical and zoological museums and gardens; the National Archaeological Museum, with a collection of old coins and finds from many ancient burial mounds; and the National Ethnographical Museum. Other museums in the country are devoted to history, science, and the revolutionary movement.
Education Education is free and compulsory for 8 years; it is also free at higher levels. Science and technical training are emphasized in school, but the lack of modern equipment hampers advanced training. Entrance to secondary schools is determined by competitive exams, and most urban students choose from one of five types of school, each offering a different focus (such as maths and science or foreign languages). A number of universities and training institutions offer higher education. |
web design: plxwebdev.com