Bulgaria - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

172 Pages·2015·3.889 MB·English

by  Juliana Tzvetkova, Culture Smart!

_CS! Bulgaria COVER FINAL_Layout 1 11/04/2015 11:26 Page 1
www.culturesmart.co.uk SC
!! MU !!
C U L T U R E S M A R T BULGARIA ALT C U L T U R E S M A R T guides will
is an illuminating and practical guide RU help you to deal confidently with unfamiliar
to Bulgarian culture and society.It will !TRE the essential guide to situations abroad. They tell you about the
help you turn your visit – whether it’s beliefs, attitudes, and behavior of people in
for business or for pleasure – into a B customs & culture different countries, so that when you arrive
memorable and enriching experience. U you are aware of local manners and
Contents include !! sensitive issues, and are well equipped
• local customs and traditions L CULTURE SMART to make friends and enter into successful
business relationships. Practical advice
• the impact of history, religion, and politics G
on what to expect and how to behave
• the Bulgarians at home, work, and play
enables you to avoid embarrassing gaffes,
• eating and drinking, Bulgarian style A
establish a rapport with your hosts, and
• dos, don’ts, and taboos
• business practices R make the very best of your visit.
• communication, spoken and unspoken
I BULGARIA Countries in the Series
and many practical tips for managing A
the unexpected. • Afghanistan • France • Pakistan
• Argentina • Georgia • Panama
• Armenia • Germany • Peru
“...the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright • Australia • Ghana • Philippines
• Austria • Greece • Poland
odd quirks and customs of various countries.”
• Azerbaijan • Guatemala • Portugal
Global Travel • Bangladesh • Hong Kong • Romania
• Belarus • Hungary • Russia
“Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers.”
• Belgium • India • Saudi Arabia
SundayTimes Travel c • Bolivia • Indonesia • Scotland
•Bosnia and • Iran • Serbia
“...full of fascinating—as well as common-sense—tips to u Herzegovina • Ireland • Singapore
help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.” s • Botswana • Israel • Slovakia
Observer t • Brazil • Italy • Slovenia
• Britain • Jamaica • South Africa
o
“...as useful as they are entertaining.” • Bulgaria • Japan • Spain
m • Cambodia • Kazakhstan • Sri Lanka
Easyjet Magazine
• Canada • Kenya • Sweden
“...offerglimpsesintothepsycheofafarawayworld.” s • Chile • Korea • Switzerland
• China • Libya • Syria
New York Times
& • Colombia • Lithuania • Tanzania
• Costa Rica • Malaysia • Thailand
• Croatia • Mauritius • Trinidad and
c
• Cuba • Mexico Tobago
u • Czech Republic • Morocco • Tunisia
l • Denmark • Myanmar • Turkey
US $9.95(Canada $12.95)/UK £6.95 t • Dominican • Namibia • Uganda
u Republic • Nepal • Ukraine
ISBN 978-1-85733-713-6
50995 r • Ecuador • Netherlands • UAE
• Egypt • New Zealand • USA
e
• Estonia • Nigeria • Venezuela
• Ethiopia • Norway • Vietnam
K • Finland • Oman
9 781857 337136
Books are regularly updated, and the publishers
welcome readers’ comments and suggestions.
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C U L T U R E S M A R T !
BULGARIA
Juliana Tzvetkova
_CS Bulgaria Book FINAL_CS MASTER.qxd 11/04/2015 11:22 Page 2
About the Author
This book is available for special discounts for bulk purchases
for sales promotions or premiums. Special editions, including JULIANA TZVETKOVA is an academic and intercultural
personalized covers, excerpts of existing books, and corporate
imprints, can be created in large quantities for special needs. intelligence trainer. She was born and educated in Bulgaria,
For more information contact Kuperard publishers and has an M.A. from Sofia University’s Faculty of Classic
at the address below. and Modern Philology. After graduation she taught at the
Medical University of Sofia and translated fiction, as well
ISBN978 1 85733 713 6
This book is also available as an e-book: eISBN 978 1 85733 714 3 as documentaries, feature films, and cultural series for
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Bulgarian National Television. She also did translating,
A CIP catalogue entry for this book is available from the
interpreting, and research for the Economist Intelligence
British Library
First published in Great Britain Unit in Sofia. In 1998 she moved with her family to Canada,
by Kuperard, an imprint of Bravo Ltd where she taught for a couple of community colleges in
59 Hutton Grove, London N12 8DS
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Toronto. Juliana started her intercultural training experience
www.culturesmart.co.uk teaching adults in Dubai. She has worked around the globe—
Inquiries: [email protected]
from Sofia to Luanda, Toronto to Shanghai, and in Aktau
Series Editor Geoffrey Chesler
Design Bobby Birchall in Kazakhstan—for Centennial College on international
Printed in Malaysia projects. Today she continues to provide intercultural
Cover image: Mosaic detail from the monument to the Founders of intelligence consulting and training while writing and
the Bulgarian State at Shumen. © Dobromir Stoychev / Alamy working on her Ph.D. in philosophy.
Images on the following pages reproduced under Creative Commons
Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license: 42 © Scroch; 43, 61, 126 ©
Mark Ahsmann; 80, 103 © Infobgv; 133 © P171.
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license: 14 © Pz.IStP; The Culture Smart! series is continuing to expand.
16 © Tomatoman2: 21 © Psy guy; 27, 93 © Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia; 29 ©
Preslav; 48, 140 © MrPanyGoff; 49 © Biso; 50, 131 (bottom), 132, 163 © Bim For further information and latest titles visit
im Garten; 58 © Radoslav Milev; 75 © Ikonact; 77 © Gabriel VanHelsing; 83 © www.culturesmart.co.uk
Silar; 84, 127 (top) © Elena Chochkova; 94 © OldJimy SC; 104 © Svilen Enev;
114 © Harrieta171; 117 © Ned Jelyazkov; 120 © Boris Christoff; 122 (left and
right) © Спасимир; 159 © Apostoloff; 164 © Kmrakmra.
The publishers would like to thank CultureSmart!Consulting for
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license: 12 ©
Webkid; 15 © AngMoKio; 85 © Stoycho Bozukov; 115 © Todor Bozhinov; its help in researching and developing the concept for this series.
121 © Nenko Lazarov.
CultureSmart!Consultingcreates tailor-made seminars and
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license: 19 © Dennis
consultancy programs to meet a wide range of corporate,
Jarvis from Halifax, Canada; 20 © Boby Dimitrov from Sofia, Bulgaria; 51
(top) © Klearchos Kapoutsis; 51 (bottom) © Peretz Partensky from San public-sector, and individual needs. Whether delivering courses
Francisco, USA; 79 © Atanas Kumbarov; 116 © Jeroen Kransen from on multicultural team building in the USA, preparing Chinese
Rotterdam, Netherlands; 127 (bottom) © Ann Wuyts. engineers for a posting in Europe, training call-center staff in India,
GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2: 112 © Todor Bozhinov; 119 or raising the awareness of police forces to the needs of diverse
© Flowerlin. Images on pages 91, 124 © iStock.
ethnic communities, it provides essential, practical, and powerful
skills worldwide to an increasingly international workforce.
For details, visit www.culturesmartconsulting.com
CultureSmart!Consultingand CultureSmart!guides have both
contributed to and featured regularly in the weekly travel program
“Fast Track” on BBC World TV.
_CS Bulgaria Book FINAL_CS MASTER.qxd 11/04/2015 11:22 Page 2
About the Author
This book is available for special discounts for bulk purchases
for sales promotions or premiums. Special editions, including JULIANA TZVETKOVA is an academic and intercultural
personalized covers, excerpts of existing books, and corporate
imprints, can be created in large quantities for special needs. intelligence trainer. She was born and educated in Bulgaria,
For more information contact Kuperard publishers and has an M.A. from Sofia University’s Faculty of Classic
at the address below. and Modern Philology. After graduation she taught at the
Medical University of Sofia and translated fiction, as well
ISBN978 1 85733 713 6
This book is also available as an e-book: eISBN 978 1 85733 714 3 as documentaries, feature films, and cultural series for
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Bulgarian National Television. She also did translating,
A CIP catalogue entry for this book is available from the
interpreting, and research for the Economist Intelligence
British Library
First published in Great Britain Unit in Sofia. In 1998 she moved with her family to Canada,
by Kuperard, an imprint of Bravo Ltd where she taught for a couple of community colleges in
59 Hutton Grove, London N12 8DS
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Toronto. Juliana started her intercultural training experience
www.culturesmart.co.uk teaching adults in Dubai. She has worked around the globe—
Inquiries: [email protected]
from Sofia to Luanda, Toronto to Shanghai, and in Aktau
Series Editor Geoffrey Chesler
Design Bobby Birchall in Kazakhstan—for Centennial College on international
Printed in Malaysia projects. Today she continues to provide intercultural
Cover image: Mosaic detail from the monument to the Founders of intelligence consulting and training while writing and
the Bulgarian State at Shumen. © Dobromir Stoychev / Alamy working on her Ph.D. in philosophy.
Images on the following pages reproduced under Creative Commons
Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license: 42 © Scroch; 43, 61, 126 ©
Mark Ahsmann; 80, 103 © Infobgv; 133 © P171.
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license: 14 © Pz.IStP; The Culture Smart! series is continuing to expand.
16 © Tomatoman2: 21 © Psy guy; 27, 93 © Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia; 29 ©
Preslav; 48, 140 © MrPanyGoff; 49 © Biso; 50, 131 (bottom), 132, 163 © Bim For further information and latest titles visit
im Garten; 58 © Radoslav Milev; 75 © Ikonact; 77 © Gabriel VanHelsing; 83 © www.culturesmart.co.uk
Silar; 84, 127 (top) © Elena Chochkova; 94 © OldJimy SC; 104 © Svilen Enev;
114 © Harrieta171; 117 © Ned Jelyazkov; 120 © Boris Christoff; 122 (left and
right) © Спасимир; 159 © Apostoloff; 164 © Kmrakmra.
The publishers would like to thank CultureSmart!Consulting for
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license: 12 ©
Webkid; 15 © AngMoKio; 85 © Stoycho Bozukov; 115 © Todor Bozhinov; its help in researching and developing the concept for this series.
121 © Nenko Lazarov.
CultureSmart!Consultingcreates tailor-made seminars and
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license: 19 © Dennis
consultancy programs to meet a wide range of corporate,
Jarvis from Halifax, Canada; 20 © Boby Dimitrov from Sofia, Bulgaria; 51
(top) © Klearchos Kapoutsis; 51 (bottom) © Peretz Partensky from San public-sector, and individual needs. Whether delivering courses
Francisco, USA; 79 © Atanas Kumbarov; 116 © Jeroen Kransen from on multicultural team building in the USA, preparing Chinese
Rotterdam, Netherlands; 127 (bottom) © Ann Wuyts. engineers for a posting in Europe, training call-center staff in India,
GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2: 112 © Todor Bozhinov; 119 or raising the awareness of police forces to the needs of diverse
© Flowerlin. Images on pages 91, 124 © iStock.
ethnic communities, it provides essential, practical, and powerful
skills worldwide to an increasingly international workforce.
For details, visit www.culturesmartconsulting.com
CultureSmart!Consultingand CultureSmart!guides have both
contributed to and featured regularly in the weekly travel program
“Fast Track” on BBC World TV.
_CS Bulgaria Book FINAL_CS MASTER.qxd 11/04/2015 11:22 Page 4
ccoonntetnetsnts
Map of Bulgaria 7 • Funerals 87
Introduction 8 • Superstitions 88
Key Facts 10
Chapter 4: MAKING FRIENDS 90
Chapter 1: LAND AND PEOPLE 12 • Friendship for Bulgarians 90
• Geography 12 • Meeting People 92
• Climate 16 • Favors and the Right Connections 94
• Regions and Major Cities 19 • Socializing 96
• The People 23 • Invitations Home 97
• A Brief History 27 • Gift Giving 98
• The Economy 49 • Dating 99
Chapter 2: VALUES AND ATTITUDES 52 Chapter 5:THE BULGARIANS AT HOME 102
• The Bulgarian Worldview 52 • Family Life 102
• Family Values 54 • Housing 103
• The Role of Women 56 • Inside the Bulgarian Home 105
• Hospitality and Generosity 59 • The Daily Round 106
• Religion 60 • The Cost of Living 107
• Regionalism, Patriotism, Chauvinism 62 • Growing up in Bulgaria 108
• Attitudes Toward Others 64 • Twenty-First-Century Education 110
• Work Ethic 65 • Employment 112
• Attitudes Toward Time 66
• Individualism and Collectivism 67 Chapter 6: TIME OUT 114
• Rationality and Emotionality 69 • Eating Out 115
• Respect for Age, Status, and Power 70 • Nightlife 118
• Music, Film, and Theater 119
Chapter 3: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS 72 • Festivals 122
• Public Holidays 72 • Sports 125
• Major Religious Celebrations 72 • Must-See Destinations In and Around Sofia 126
• Important Civic Celebrations 78
• Name Days 81 Chapter 7: TRAVEL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY 128
• Nature and Folk Festivals 83 • Arrival 128
• Weddings, Births, Choosing Names 85 • Cash Is King 130
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ccoonntetnetsnts
Map of Bulgaria 7 • Funerals 87
Introduction 8 • Superstitions 88
Key Facts 10
Chapter 4: MAKING FRIENDS 90
Chapter 1: LAND AND PEOPLE 12 • Friendship for Bulgarians 90
• Geography 12 • Meeting People 92
• Climate 16 • Favors and the Right Connections 94
• Regions and Major Cities 19 • Socializing 96
• The People 23 • Invitations Home 97
• A Brief History 27 • Gift Giving 98
• The Economy 49 • Dating 99
Chapter 2: VALUES AND ATTITUDES 52 Chapter 5:THE BULGARIANS AT HOME 102
• The Bulgarian Worldview 52 • Family Life 102
• Family Values 54 • Housing 103
• The Role of Women 56 • Inside the Bulgarian Home 105
• Hospitality and Generosity 59 • The Daily Round 106
• Religion 60 • The Cost of Living 107
• Regionalism, Patriotism, Chauvinism 62 • Growing up in Bulgaria 108
• Attitudes Toward Others 64 • Twenty-First-Century Education 110
• Work Ethic 65 • Employment 112
• Attitudes Toward Time 66
• Individualism and Collectivism 67 Chapter 6: TIME OUT 114
• Rationality and Emotionality 69 • Eating Out 115
• Respect for Age, Status, and Power 70 • Nightlife 118
• Music, Film, and Theater 119
Chapter 3: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS 72 • Festivals 122
• Public Holidays 72 • Sports 125
• Major Religious Celebrations 72 • Must-See Destinations In and Around Sofia 126
• Important Civic Celebrations 78
• Name Days 81 Chapter 7: TRAVEL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY 128
• Nature and Folk Festivals 83 • Arrival 128
• Weddings, Births, Choosing Names 85 • Cash Is King 130
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ccoonntetnetsnts
m
a
p
o
f b
• Getting Around Sofia 131 Map of Bulgaria ulg
a
• Travel Outside Sofia 132 ria
• Health Care 136
• Safety 138
• Police 139 K
CA
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Chapter 8: BUSINESS BRIEFING 140 brich BLS
o
• Setting Up a Meeting 141 D
• Meetings and Greetings 141 • na • •
•••••••C•••••••FIAn u chPNBCMBWTEBHTSCdrkaevruuohhetooeunpaoerhexssdgeennmnvsomtriie oyteecnniLMyawrrcot nlredgeeLaua ie lrRnteassi9naceass anssdt yte:idngiti osginMGo iaCuggaS o nadn Dau mipOBnen fsigaetaisundMeessgelsgnas ecFiMgnthusreelUsfeisNmllmIeCneAnttTING 111111111111111111566644444455555566256834667802356813 ROMANIA•.Vidin •R ebunaDSilistraSREBANARESERVEDanube R. • RuseIvanovo DANUBIANPLAIN• RazgradPleven ••MontanaShumen.R Pliskaru••kTargovishte •SERBIAsI• LovechVratsaVar• PreslavVeliko Tarnovo •BALKANMO• TrunUN• GabrovoTASofiaINS(STARSlivenAPLAN)IAN•Mt. Botev •Pernik •KazanlakNessebar •YELLAVESROYambol.R ahzdnuTSREDNAGORA•Burgas •Mt. Musala • Stara Zagora•RILA MOUNTAINSKyustendilTHRACPazardzhik •IANPLM•ariA• BlagoevgradtsIa R.NPlovdivSRt•rHuOFYRDmKlokotnizaOMt. VihrenPaE SRACEDONIA .MPIORUINNT ARIA•NNSG ETURKEYKurdzhali GREECE
M
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7
ccoonntetnetsnts
m
a
p
o
f b
• Getting Around Sofia 131 Map of Bulgaria ulg
a
• Travel Outside Sofia 132 ria
• Health Care 136
• Safety 138
• Police 139 K
CA
AE
Chapter 8: BUSINESS BRIEFING 140 brich BLS
o
• Setting Up a Meeting 141 D
• Meetings and Greetings 141 • na • •
•••••••C•••••••FIAn u chPNBCMBWTEBHTSCdrkaevruuohhetooeunpaoerhexssdgeennmnvsomtriie oyteecnniLMyawrrcot nlredgeeLaua ie lrRnteassi9naceass anssdt yte:idngiti osginMGo iaCuggaS o nadn Dau mipOBnen fsigaetaisundMeessgelsgnas ecFiMgnthusreelUsfeisNmllmIeCneAnttTING 111111111111111111566644444455555566256834667802356813 ROMANIA•.Vidin •R ebunaDSilistraSREBANARESERVEDanube R. • RuseIvanovo DANUBIANPLAIN• RazgradPleven ••MontanaShumen.R Pliskaru••kTargovishte •SERBIAsI• LovechVratsaVar• PreslavVeliko Tarnovo •BALKANMO• TrunUN• GabrovoTASofiaINS(STARSlivenAPLAN)IAN•Mt. Botev •Pernik •KazanlakNessebar •YELLAVESROYambol.R ahzdnuTSREDNAGORA•Burgas •Mt. Musala • Stara Zagora•RILA MOUNTAINSKyustendilTHRACPazardzhik •IANPLM•ariA• BlagoevgradtsIa R.NPlovdivSRt•rHuOFYRDmKlokotnizaOMt. VihrenPaE SRACEDONIA .MPIORUINNT ARIA•NNSG ETURKEYKurdzhali GREECE
M
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8 9
iinnttrrodoudctuiocntion
garia introd
art!bul uction
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e s One of the oldest countries in Europe, Bulgaria Bulgaria’s colorful traditions are rooted in
ultur became the youngest member of the European an ancient pagan past and twelve centuries of
c
Union on January 1, 2007. If there is a word that Orthodox Christianity. The New Year starts with
best describes the Bulgarians, it is “proud.” Founded the lucky back-tapping surovakanerite. Bulgarians
in 681CE, the country takes pride in being the oldest celebrate name days, such as the patron saint of
European nation-state never to have changed its wine making, Trifon Zarezan; Baba Marta, marking
name. It is also proud to have given the world the the end of winter, when red and white yarn
Cyrillic alphabet, the first electronic wristwatch, martenizaadornments are worn; the day of the
the electronic digital computer, and some of the Slavonic alphabet, of Bulgarian enlightenment and
twentieth century’s greatest opera singers. Most of culture; and very many other holidays. To throw
all, Bulgarians are proud of their long history and a great party one needs great company, and the
the natural beauty of their land—“Bulgaria” and Bulgarians are famous for their hospitality, warmth,
“paradise” are often used in the same sentence. well-stocked tables, and lively music. Easygoing,
Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria was and with a great sense of humor, they enjoy making
at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and a melting new friends and know how to cherish old ones.
pot of ancient cultures. Today, four pan-European Today, Bulgaria’s seaside and winter resorts
transportation corridors connect Western Europe attract many visitors, while its rapidly developing
to Eastern and Southeast Europe and Asia across its economy draws investors from around the world.
territory. Invasions and waves of migration, starting This book is for vacationers, adventure seekers,
from neolithic and classical times, have contributed businesspeople, and lovers of ancient culture and
to its unique cultural mosaic. Bulgaria boasts the art. It will familiarize you with this small but
oldest hoard of gold treasure in the world. The beautiful land and its complex people. It describes
seventh-century Bulgarian empire dominated the the formative influences on Bulgarian society and
Balkans and was a powerhouse of Slavonic culture. the way people interact with foreigners and each
Later, Ottoman conquest and Soviet influence left other. It offers important insights and practical
their mark on the national psyche, and now the advice that will smooth your path and deepen
beautiful folk song flying in NASA’s Voyagerspace your experience in this intriguing country.
probes as a message to other intelligent species out Dobre doshli v Bulgaria, skapi priateli!
there is Bulgarian. (Welcome to Bulgaria, dear friends!)