Bulgaria is home to a rich history of Thracian, Hellenistic and Roman culture. It has also produced such famous personalities as opera singers (Nicolai Ghiaurov, Raina Kabaivanska, Ghena Dimitrova), painters (Alexis Weissenberg, Vesselina Kasarova) and pianists (Christo, Boris Christoff).
The bulgarian flag is shaped like a shield and contains three national colors – white, green and red. The white stands for purity, the green represents nature and the red refers to the blood of the people. The two crowned rampant golden lions on the emblem symbolize strength and power.
Because of its geographic position, the bulgarian cuisine has many dishes using sea fish. Cod is especially popular and is usually prepared baked or grilled with olive oil, garlic and herbs. Another favorite is kozhukhar, which consists of small fish, vegetables and rice. Other traditional Bulgarian foods are turshiya, kurnika s kutsana and katino meze s cibomrnim.
Herbs are very important in the bulgarian cuisine. Parsley is added to almost every dish while thyme, oregano and basil are used as spices and have medicinal properties (colds, bronchitis, rheumatism). The bulgarian shkembe chorba, made of beans, meat, onions and various herbs, is a must-try. It can be seasoned with vinegar, hot pepper powder and garlic. In addition to that, dill is a very common spice in the bulgarian kitchen, and it’s even used as a substitute for salt in some cases.
One of the most popular drinks in the country is ayran, which is made from yogurt and water, with or without salt and a bit of mint. It is also a staple drink in the fast food chains and is served with various snacks, like fries or a sandwich.
Other typical drinks in the country are samovar, tufik and ovovivka. The latter is similar to samovar but is stronger in taste. It can be enjoyed with some freshly cut fruits or with a shot of cognac.
The most important thing to remember when visiting Bulgaria is that it’s impolite to enter someone’s house without taking off your shoes. The housewife will probably offer you slippers and it’s polite to accept them. Bulgarians are very curious about foreign cultures, so be prepared for questions about your home country. When doing business with Bulgarians, be sure to maintain a high level of professionalism and keep your conversations short.
Bulgarians give gifts to each other on special occasions, during Christmas and when invited to a meal at their friends’ homes. When giving a gift, it’s better to avoid chrysanthemums, lilies and gladiolas because they are traditionally used at funerals. It’s also a good idea to give an odd number of presents to newborn babies. Table manners are casual but some rules should be respected when dining with bulgarians. Napkins should be folded and placed next to the plate. You should wait for your hostess to show you where to sit before starting your meal. It is also polite to keep your hands covered while eating unless you are chewing.