Bulgaria’s rich culture has been shaped over the millennia by many cultures and civilisations. From Thracians and Ancient Greeks to Byzantines and Ottoman Turks, they have all left their mark in this small country at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. It is a country of great beauty, steeped in tradition and full of folklore.

Bulgarians have a strong attachment to their history and traditions, and are proud of their heritage and their literature, music, arts and architecture. They are also active participants in the cultural life of their nation, participating in various national and international festivals and events.

The main religion is Christianity, 82.6% of the population being Orthodox Christians. The remainder of the population are Muslims and some are Roman Catholics and Protestants. The main industry is mining and metallurgy, followed by agriculture and the manufacture of food and beverages.

Despite being a secular state, Bulgarians are very proud of their culture and heritage, which they continue to develop and enrich even today. They are also very active in the cultural life of their country, with a variety of national and international festivals for young people and adults, and numerous other meetings, cultural events and expositions.

Language

Bulgarian is an Indo-European language in the Balkan branch of Eastern Slavic. It is spoken by the majority of the population (82.6%), as well as by minorities including Turks and Gypsies. Bulgarian is the official language of the country, used in government, commerce and education. Minorities have the right to teach their own languages in schools, and some do. Bulgarian is written using the Latin alphabet. The language has three grammatical genders and a case system, though the case system is less formal than in many other Slavic languages.

Gender

Women’s status changed dramatically during the socialist era. They are now able to vote and own property, although they still lag behind men in educational achievement. In family life, they are expected to take on the lion’s share of household and childcare duties. They are regarded as primary breadwinners, and they have fewer opportunities for career advancement than men.

In general, Bulgarian society is patriarchal in nature, with the male head of household enjoying substantial authority over financial decisions and agricultural decisions. However, this is not always the case in rural areas, where women often have equal employment opportunities to men and are able to assume leadership roles in community organizations.

In this context, the legends about Baba Marta are a good example of how Bulgarians cherish their traditions and culture.