Bulgaria is a European country located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, the only European power that has retained its original name from its creation in 681 to the present day. As we all remember from the lessons of world history, Bulgaria was enslaved by the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. (1396) and remained under Muslim rule until the last quarter of the 19th century. (1877-1878 - Liberation War in Bulgarian history or the Russian-Turkish War in our sources). These almost five hundred years undoubtedly influenced the Bulgarians as a nation and changed the Bulgarian identity forever.
Until the fall of the country, the Bulgarians were in continuous internecine wars, as, indeed, were a significant part of the powers of the European continent in the Middle Ages. However, under the yoke of the Ottoman Yoke, the Bulgarians gradually began to unite in attempts to overthrow their enslavers. The cornerstone of the Unification and Awakening of the nation (as Bulgarian historical sources call it) was culture and religion. Which, in turn, has led to the fact that national art and creativity are widespread in all corners of the country and are zealously supported and strengthened to this day - memories of unfreedom in the national consciousness are still quite fresh, and Bulgarians are making every possible effort to people did not repeat.
In modern Bulgaria, unlike the vast majority of other countries of the former Soviet camp, traditional national folk music is extremely highly valued, including among young people. There are and continue to flourish an endless number of schools of folk dance, music and crafts that teach modern young Bulgarians (truly young, children everywhere begin to seriously study folklore from kindergarten) traditions.
In every corner of Bulgaria - from the capital to the smallest villages - they regularly “play horo” - this is a type of Bulgarian national dance, from which the Russian word “round dance” comes. Residents of all ages gather in the squares, it is truly amazing; both grandmothers in their ninth decade and babies one or two years old who have just begun to walk dance. Everyone joins hands and begins a circular movement; the dance itself includes foot steps and joyful screams that coincide with musical accents. The spectacle is especially unforgettable in large cities, where the number of dancers can reach a hundred or more people. Typically, such meetings are timed to coincide with major national holidays, but are regularly held just on weekends, for example, in Varna they dance every weekend at the entrance to the city park “Morska Gradina” (Sea Garden), where everyone, even without experience, can join — the locals will be happy to tell you and show you the necessary movements.
Bulgarians celebrate all holidays - national and personal - with their families. Birthdays, name days (“name den” in Bulgarian, a significant holiday, unlike the Russian tradition), Days of Liberation and Union of Bulgaria, Day of Slavic Literature and, especially, Christmas.
Christmas in Bulgaria is called “Koleda” (the traditional carols of the Slavic peoples take their name from here) and is celebrated on December 25th, a reference to the times of the baptism of the Slavic countries, when pagan holidays were woven into the new order to make it easier for ordinary people to transition from old beliefs to new ones. In our case, one of the main pagan holidays - the Winter Solstice - turned into a celebration of the Nativity of Christ, while historical sources, including the Bible, more likely indicate that Jesus was born in September-October.
The official weekend usually begins on December 21-22, a few days before Koleda, and preparations begin at the same time. On December 25th, numerous families gather in the house of the eldest in the family - as a rule, grandmothers on the male or female side, the streets become deserted, and, as a rule, only very large chain stores are open. Therefore, if you plan to stay in Bulgaria for the winter holidays, especially in small towns, stock up on provisions in advance; this may be difficult during the holidays.