Apollonia
The city of Apollo was the largest and richest center on the Black Sea Coast some 2600 years ago. It was an independent city – the pride and centerpiece of ancient Greece. It was burnt by the Romans in the 4th century BC. After conversion to Christianity, it was renamed to Sozopol. It was one of the biggest harbors on the Black Sea in the Middle Ages. The ‘Apollonia’ Art Festival takes place every September there.

Boza
Boza is a fermented and sweet drink made of roasted flour, very popular in the East. It is less sweet in Bulgaria but nonetheless very tasty. The content of alcohol is very low – about 4%. Boza is made of wheat or millet.


 
 

 
Denys/Dionysius
The name comes from the Greek god Dionysius [called Bacchus by the Romans]. The god patron of wine and entertainment was not however a trueborn Greek but a Thracian god from the areas of today’s Southern Bulgaria. His cult has many accretions but his figured is still called up on the first day of grapevine crops, February 14.

Hospitability
Bulgaria is a very hospitable country. In the past, every wanderer was offered a stay over night and food. It is a living tradition. You are often invited over but you have to remember not to come empty-handed. A bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates is more than enough. Although there are many good restaurants, we will get the best taste of the Bulgarian way of cooking in private homes.

Icons
The Bulgarian school of icons has a long tradition. Some icons are the copies of sacred paintings that are displayed in the most famous monasteries and are hand-painted. There are some new and original works but made according to the canons.

Yoghurt
It is perhaps the one and only foodstuff that immediately brings about the associations with Bulgaria. The unique taste is given by Lactobacillus Bulgaricus bacteria. There are many types of natural yoghurt [kiselo mliako]: goat, cow and mixed. Yoghurt has many brand names, and is sold in 500g cups but the homemade one is no doubt the best.

Kukeri
The tradition of costume dancing dates back to ancient times and originates in the Dionysus worship ceremonies. It includes elements of masquerade, exorcisms and initiation rituals. The magic and ritual dimension has been lost but it is still a living tradition. The dances, masques and symbols in the kukeri ritual significantly differ in individual areas but their authenticity leaves no doubt. The kukeri festivals are organized in Pernik [in January] and Shiroka Tika [in March], in Gela and Karlovo. The shows take place in other cities as well but always at the end of winter or in early spring. It is a ritual announcing the awakening of nature. The dates are set according to lunar calendar.

Martenitsa
The Bulgarians give themselves white and red tassels called ‘Martenitsi’ on March 1. It is an old pagan tradition so old nobody remembers when it began. As almost every popular custom, this one is associated with nature as well. March is the only month, which is in the feminine in the Bulgarian language – it bonds it with the awakening of nature after wintertime. The colors of the wool are not random. White stands for fertility and earth, red is for health. The shepherds tie woolen threads around the necks of farm animals and the trees are covered with red cloths on that day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mehana
A type of traditional pub – it is very popular in Bulgaria.

Nestinari
These are dancers who dance barefoot on smoldering embers. This type of a ritual dance, dating back to ancient times, can be seen in the south of Bulgaria. The Balgari village is the most famous place where nestinari dance. Some traditional restaurants offer shows of nestinarstvo but there is nothing like the original folk dance. Trance is an inherent part of this dance, performed on May 21, of the Sts Constantine and Helen.

VIEW MOVIE