Tradition, Culture, and Heritage Facts

GUIDEBG'S BRIEFS

FACTS ABOUT BULGARIA’S CULTURE

Immerse yourself in Bulgaria’s rich history and culture with these fascinating facts about the country. Bulgaria is a country full of surprises from its unique customs and traditions to its impressive contributions to the world of technology and art. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just starting to learn, these lesser-known facts will deepen your appreciation for this amazing country.

• Bulgaria is the second-largest exporter of rose oil, a popular perfume ingredient.
• In Bulgarian culture, nodding one’s head means “no” while shaking means “yes”, which can confuse outsiders.
• The national instrument of Bulgaria is the gaida, also known as the bagpipe.
• The country is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Bulgarians celebrate Baba Marta, or Grandmother March, on the first of March, during which they exchange tassels of white and red yarn.
• The town of Kazanlak holds an annual Rose Festival featuring street processions, folklore concerts, art shows, and wine tastings, among other events.
• The ancient Thracian singer Orpheus was from Bulgaria.
• The Rila Monastery in Bulgaria contains a wooden cross with microscopic biblical scenes carved into it.
• The oldest processed gold in the world was found in Varna, Bulgaria, and is believed to be about 7,000 years old.
• On Jordan’s Day in Bulgaria, a priest throws a cross into a river, and the person who retrieves it is said to be blessed with good health and happiness throughout the year.
• Bulgaria has not changed its name since it was established, and the Bulgarian calendar was deemed the most accurate worldwide by UNESCO in 1976.
• The country protected its Jewish citizens from being sent to Nazi camps during World War II.
• In Bulgaria, people celebrate their name day, the saint’s day corresponding to their name, by inviting guests to their home or a restaurant.
• The national dance of Bulgaria is the horo, a traditional folk dance performed by couples.
• The Bulgarian flag, designed by the poet Petko Slaveykov, includes white for peace and love, green for freedom and hope, and red for bravery and strength.
• Bulgarians have many superstitions and traditions, including the belief that giving knives as gifts will sever relationships, whistling indoors will cause financial loss, and stepping on cracks in the pavement will harm one’s mother.
• Bulgarian talents have produced many famous inventions, including the world’s first printed book in Cyrillic script in 1483, the first computer in the 1940s, the solar-powered watch in 1966, and a fully functional 3D virtual reality system.
• The country is home to the oldest continuously operating European theater, the Ivan Vazov National Theater in Sofia, which opened in 1904.
• The Bulgarian alphabet, known as Cyrillic, was created in the ninth century by two monks from Thessalon in Bulgaria. It is now used by many Slavic languages and celebrated its 1160th anniversary in 2022. This is one of the lesser-known facts about Bulgaria.