Cultural Heritage

The territory of modern-day Bulgaria has been populated since prehistoric times. The rich culture of the ancient Thracians flourished there; ancient Greeks, Macedonians and Romans also left their traces, and later the territory became part of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium).After allying with the Slavs, the Proto-Bulgarians established a state, officially recognized by Byzantium in 681 AD. Khan Asparukh became the leader of the country that took the name of Bulgaria. During the reign of Khan Krum (803-814 AD), Bulgaria bordered on the empire of Charlemagne, to the west, while Bulgarian so ... more

In Bulgaria there are many different ethnic communities, which have been living together for centuries. They have all left their mark on Bulgarian culture by introducing new cultural elements, representative of their own people, enriching the variety of Bulgarian folklore. The largest ethnic community in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian. Most Bulgarians belong to the Orthodox church, although there are also Bulgarian Roman Catholics, as well as Bulgarians who have a different religion, such as Islam. The ancestors of the Bulgarians were three ethnic groups -the Thracians, the Slavs and the Proto-Bu ... more

The Armenians are one of the most ancient peoples of the Western Asia. Two of Jesus' disciples. St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew spread Christianity among the Armenians, hence the name of the church, the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the seat of the Armenian church, and of its Patriarch (Catholicos), currently Karekin II.In 406 Mesrob Mashtots created the Armenian alphabet which helped the preservation of the Armenian language in spite of the persecution and displacement of a large number of Armenians.Nowadays the Armenian community in Bulgaria maintains 11 churches, ... more

There is evidence of a Jewish presence on the Balkans prior to the new era and the first centuries AD. During the 14th century a small group of Ashkenazi Jews (who spoke Yiddish) came to Bulgaria from Hungary and Germany. During the 15th century, after being exiled from Spain, many Sephardic Jews (who spoke Ladino) also arrived in Bulgaria. Part of them, along with previously established Jewish communities known as Romaniot, formed Jewish communities in present-day Nikopol, Sofia, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik and other towns. Many Ashkenazi Jews from Russia, Moldova, Romania, Austria and Poland came to ... more

Both terms, gypsy and romany (roma), are used as synonyms, as they are both used by the community itself for self-identification. Members of the Roma community adhere to different religions, though retaining their ethnic identity by remaining close together, having left traces on many ethnic traditions. As a whole they live in small closed communities, which rely on human reproduction, folklore, traditions and minimizing their integration into Bulgarian society. There are many subgroups, which have developed owing to different factors: religion (Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Protestant Christi ... more

In Bulgaria they are known as Karakachani, however in neighbouring Greece they are known as Sarakatsani. They themselves claim that they are Vlachs, though distinct from the Romanians, and with a strong feeling of identity. As there is no written proof of their ancestry, there are many theories about it. In Bulgaria there is a popular hypothesis that the Karakachani are descended from ancient Thracians, who came under Hellenistic influence. In Greece their Hellenistic ancestry is hardly doubted by anyone. A different theory states that they are descended from nomads of antiquity, who inhabited ... more

The Turks are the largest ethnic group in Bulgaria after the Bulgarians. Most of them define themselves as Sunnis, whilst others are Shiites, known in the country as Aliani or Kazulbashi. The Turks follow Islam, which entirely determines their lifestyle and culture. Living among the Christian majority for centuries though has also left a mark.Some of the most-celebrated festivals are Ramadan, Kurban Bairam and the "Prayer for Rain" (or the "Kurban for the whole village" as the Christians call it). Traditions, which are connected with the cycle of life, are Syunet, a circumcision ritual, weddin ... more

Dobrudzha lies in the Northeastern part of Bulgaria. It is bounded by the Danube to the North, the Black Sea to the East, and the Northern folklore area to the West. It is the bread-basket of Bulgaria. The songs and dances of the Dobrudzha area have been determined to a large extent by the life and work style of the people living there. Most characteristic of the area are the harvest songs in which people praise the land and its fertility. The gadulka, kaval and bagpipe are traditional instruments. The most famous Dobrudzha dance tunes are the ruki, sboreni and ruchenitsa. Dobrudzha dances are ... more

Central to the Thracian folklore area is the vast Thracian valley. It is enclosed by the Balkan mountains, Pirin, Rila, and the Rhodopes and stretches all the way to the Black Sea coast. It incorporates villages on the northern slopes of the Rhodopes, east of Pazardzhik. Some researchers believe that Thrace is the oldest folklore area in Bulgaria. It is the birthplace of the most ancient culture on the Balkan peninsula, which was created by its first inhabitants, the Thracian people.The folklore music of Thrace is unbelievably beautiful, expressive and vivacious. Tranquillity and beauty spill ... more

The Rhodope folklore evokes the pain and suffering of the most tortured part of the Bulgarian population during the Ottoman rule. Every song and dance expresses some mysticism, sorrow and pain, but also hope for the future.The hills of the Rhodopes are alive with the sound of kaba (low register) bagpipes. Here the open throat singing is replaced by the semi-closed softer tone formation. Coming from the mountain tops one can hear the chahns, copper sheep bells, which make you forget about time and space. ... more