Interesting facts about Bulgaria

Bulgaria is home to the world’s oldest gold treasure, discovered near the city of Varna. The artifacts, dating back over 6,000 years, belong to the Varna Necropolis and rep Oldest Gold Treasure and represent the advanced craftsmanship of the ancient Thracians.

The Cyrillic alphabet, used by many Slavic countries, was invented in the 9th century in Bulgaria by Saints Cyril and Methodius. It is now the third official script of the European Union.

Bulgaria is one of the world’s largest producers of rose oil, an essential ingredient in many perfumes. It exports three quarters of the world's total supply. The Rose Valley near Kazanlak is famous for its fragrant roses, and the annual Rose Festival celebrates the rose harvest.

In Bulgaria, nodding the head means "no" and shaking the head means "yes." This reverse body language can be confusing for visitors but is a unique cultural trait.

Bulgaria's second-largest city, Plovdiv is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with a history spanning over 6,000 years. One of the main attractions is the Ancient theater built during the time of the Roman emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan (98 – 117 AD).

Bulgaria is famous for its yogurt, made with a unique strain of bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which gives it a distinctive sour taste and health benefits. The yogurt is a staple in Bulgarian cuisine and highly prized worldwide.

Bulgarians Gave the World the Digital Watch: Bulgarian engineer Peter Petroff invented one of the first digital watches in 1970. His work laid the foundation for modern digital timekeeping.

Bulgaria is the only country in Europe that has never changed its name since it was first established in 681 AD. Despite its long and turbulent history, marked by invasions and wars, Bulgaria has maintained its original name through the centuries.

Every year on 1st of March, Bulgarians celebrate Baba Marta (Grandmother Marta) by gifting each other red and white yarn bracelets called Martenitsa, symbolizing health and the coming of spring. People wear them until they see the first stork or blossomed tree. For the latter Bulgarians would tie the Martenitsa on one of the tree's branches.

Bulgaria was part of the ancient Thracian civilization, which is famous for producing legendary warriors like Spartacus. Many Thracian tombs and treasures, including stunning gold artifacts, have been unearthed in Bulgaria. The most famous and well-preserved tomb is the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak,  dating back 4th century BC.

In Bulgaria, Name Days (celebrations of saints for whom people are named) are just as important as birthdays. If you share a name with a saint (like Ivan, Petar, or George), expect a day of celebration, gifts, and good wishes from friends and family. 

Fun fact: according to the tradition, guests are supposed to come uninvited and the person who has the celebrated name is supposed to be prepared to treat everyone.

The song "Izlel e Delyo Haydutin" was chosen to be included on the Voyager Golden Record, a collection of sounds and music from Earth sent into space aboard the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. The song, performed by Bulgarian folk singer Valya Balkanska, is a powerful representation of Bulgarian folk music and culture.

What makes this especially cool is that the Voyager spacecraft is now over 14 billion miles away from Earth, meaning "Izlel e Delyo Haydutin" is traveling farther from our planet than anything else humans have ever created! If extraterrestrial civilizations come across it, this hauntingly beautiful folk song could be their first glimpse into Earth’s musical heritage.

Click here if you want to listen to the song

Kalofer’s Ice Dance is a traditional Bulgarian dance, characterized by men dancing horo in the ice-cold waters of the river Tundzha under the sounds of bagpipes and drums. This dance is often performed during festive occasions and celebrations, showcasing a vibrant expression of Bulgarian culture. It serves as a way to preserve Bulgarian heritage and foster community bonds. Performed on 6th of January - the Celebration of St. John the Baptist, this tradition is a demonstration of the strength and prowess of healthy and proud men united in a brotherly chain, caught for hands singing folk songs.