People

The roots of the Bulgarians

     The people living in Bulgaria are called Bulgarians. From historical angle the modern Bulgarians have descended from three main ethnic groups which mixed in the Balkans during the 6th - 10th century: local tribes, known as the Thracians; Slavic invaders, who gave their language to the modern Bulgarians; and the Bulgars, from whom the ethnonym and the early statehood were inherited.

The Bulgarian mixture

     Ethnical Bulgarians, together with Turks, Gypsies, Jews and Armenians, all form the contemporary Bulgarian nation. Bulgaria is well known for the peaceful living together of its different ethnical groups. Roughly 85% of the population is made up of Bulgarians who speak Bulgarian language and practice the Orthodox Christian faith. There is also a sizeable Muslim population (13% of the total), comprising both Pomaks (Bulgarians who converted to Islam from the 16th century onwards) and ethnic Turks. Currently, about 14 000 Armenians live in Bulgaria. They entered the country as refugees during the World War I. Armenians live mainly in the cities and about 25% of them speak Bulgarian language. Jewish ethnical group in Bulgaria consists of about 3000 people while in the beginning of the 20th century they were 34 000. After the state of Israel was established, most of the Jews immigrated there.

     The most important fact about Bulgarian Jews is that Bulgaria was the only European country which preserved its Jewish population during the World War II and no genocide was applied to this population.

Being a Bulgarian

     In general, Bulgarian people are quite tolerant. (They stopped Hitler from deporting Bulgaria’s Jews to the death camps!) According to representative social science surveys, upwards of 90 per cent of them have friends confessing a different faith. Compared to the other Balkan nations, they are more tenacious, but less aggressive. They are industrious, but somewhat desultory, not sufficiently focused and purpose-seeking, although striving enough – should an ambition grab them - they would "lift a mountain".

     Hot blooded and emotional. Normal and different. In big cities you will find many stressed and hard working people while outside the Matrix you can enjoy contacts with friendly and welcoming people. Bulgarians are friendly to strangers and helpful. Hospitality is one of their distinctive qualities.

     The people of Bulgaria are proud soldiers and enlighteners who preserved their Christianity, faith, traditions and culture through the two centuries of Byzantine and five centuries of Turkish occupation. Bulgarians are famous with their hospitality.

     Every country has its own cultural peculiarities. The French are said to be good judges of wining and dining. Americans are notorious for knowing how to make the American dream come true and hit the jackpot. Sadly, the Russians are mostly known for their drinking habits. Bulgarians say about themselves that the three things that every Bulgarian understands are politics, football and drinking.

When in Bulgaria, do as the Bulgarians do

     A trivial (but sometimes crucial) detail has been considered a distinctive Bulgarian feature – the way Bulgarians shake their heads to indicate "yes" or "no" – the reverse of what almost any person on earth would do it, but more and more people have become aware of this incongruity and begin to change this habit.