Bulgarian Folk Dancers in Traditional Clothing
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A saudi man with his horse Bulgarian folk dancers in traditional clothing. Flickr / Charles Roffey Flickr / Donald Judge BULGARIAN Apr. 2000 Table of Contents Chapter 1 | Profile . 6 Introduction ............................................6 Geography .............................................7 Northern Bulgaria � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �7 Balkan Mountains � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �7 Southern Bulgaria � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �8 Black Sea Coast � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �8 Bodies of Water .........................................9 Danube � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9 Maritsa � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9 Struma � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9 Tundzha � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9 Iskŭr � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �10 Climate ...............................................10 Major Cities ...........................................10 Sofia � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �10 Plovdiv � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �10 Varna � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 Burgas � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 Veliko Tarnovo � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 History ...............................................12 Government ...........................................14 Media ................................................14 Economy .............................................15 Ethnic Groups .........................................16 Bulgarians � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �16 Turks � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �16 Roma � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �17 Chapter 1 | Profile, Assessment ............................18 Chapter 1 | Profile, Assessment Answers ....................19 Cultural Orientation | Bulgarian Table of Contents 2 Chapter 2 | Religion . 20 Introduction ...........................................20 Major Religions ........................................21 Eastern Orthodox � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �21 Islam � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �22 Other Religions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �23 Religion and Government .................................23 Religion in Daily Life .....................................24 Religious Events and Holidays .............................24 Places of Worship ......................................25 Eastern Orthodox Places of Worship � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �25 Muslim Places of Worship � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �25 Behavior in Places of Worship .............................26 Churches � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �26 Mosques � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �26 Chapter 2 | Religion, Assessment ..........................27 Chapter 2 | Religion, Assessment Answers ...................28 Chapter 3 | Traditions . 30 Introduction ...........................................30 Formulaic Codes of Politeness ............................31 Hospitality and Gift Giving ................................32 Eating Customs and Cuisine ..............................32 Types of Food .........................................33 Dress Code ...........................................34 Non-Religious Holidays ..................................34 New Year’s Day � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �34 Baba Marta � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �35 Liberation of Bulgaria Day � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �35 Labor Day � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �35 Unification Day � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �35 Independence Day � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �35 Cultural Orientation | Bulgarian Table of Contents 3 Revival Day � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �35 Dos and Don’ts ........................................36 Do � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �36 Don’t � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �36 Chapter 3 | Traditions, Assessment .........................37 Chapter 3 | Traditions, Assessment Answers ..................38 Chapter 4 | Urban Life . .. 39 Introduction ...........................................39 Urbanization Challenges .................................40 Healthcare and Health Issues .............................41 Urban Education .......................................43 Restaurants ...........................................44 Marketplaces and Street Vendors ..........................44 Money, Credit Cards, and ATMs ...........................45 Urban Traffic and Transportation ...........................45 Street Crime ...........................................46 Chapter 4 | Urban Life, Assessment ........................47 Chapter 4 | Urban Life, Assessment Answers .................48 Chapter 5 | Rural Life . 49 Introduction ...........................................49 Rural Migration. 50 Land Distribution and Ownership ..........................50 Rural Economy .........................................51 Rural Transportation ....................................52 Rural Healthcare .......................................52 Rural Education ........................................53 Village Life ............................................54 Border Crossings .......................................55 Landmines ............................................55 Chapter 5 | Rural Life, Assessment .........................56 Chapter 5 | Rural Life, Assessment Answers ..................57 Cultural Orientation | Bulgarian Table of Contents 4 Chapter 6 | Family Life . 58 Introduction ...........................................58 Typical Household and Family Structure .....................59 Gender Issues .........................................60 Married Life, Divorce and Child Birth ........................61 Marriage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �61 Divorce � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �62 Status of the Elders, Adolescents, and Children ...............62 The Elderly � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �62 Children � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �63 Family Social Events ....................................63 Weddings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �63 Funerals � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �64 Naming Conventions ....................................65 Chapter 6 | Family Life, Assessment ........................66 Chapter 6 | Family Life, Assessment Answers .................67 Further Readings and Resources . 68 Articles and Websites . 68 Books ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 68 Videos . 68 Final Assessment . 69 Final Assessment .......................................69 Final Assessment Answers ...............................72 Cultural Orientation | Bulgarian Table of Contents 5 Go back to Table of Contents Chapter 1 | Profile The central reserve at Rila National Park. Wikimedia / Borislav krustev Introduction The Republic of Bulgaria is situated along the eastern portion of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its natural landscape is diverse, featuring lowlands, plains, plateaus, river valleys and basins, and many mountains. Situated on the western edge of the Black Sea, Bulgaria shares borders with Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece to the south, and Turkey to the east. The country is roughly bisected by the Balkan Mountains, acting as the boundary for northern and southern Bulgaria.1, 2, 3 The country’s culture, society, cuisine, architecture, and religious institutions demonstrate influences from the East and the West.4, 5 Bulgaria traces its national roots back to the seventh century