Since Soviet times, it was customary to treat Bulgaria, the most accessible country for residents of the USSR at that time, with some disdain. Abroad, but not real, not like France or Italy. As a result, many people still believe in numerous myths about Bulgaria.
Bulgaria is a southern country where there is no winter.
It seems that the Bulgarians themselves also think so - judging by the number of uninsulated houses and the range of winter clothes or shoes. In fact, during the colder months, heating is essential here, although it is usually only required at night. The use of winter tires is mandatory, and snow drifts are possible on mountain passes.
By the way, Bulgarians prefer to heat with wood: electricity is expensive. And the most favorite warming agent is greyana rakia (Bulgarian moonshine made from grapes or fruits).
Bulgarians nod when they want to say no.
It seems that Bulgaria is the only European country where they shake their heads affirmatively and confirm a negative answer with a nod. Legend has it that the Bulgarians owe such peculiarities of gesticulation to the Ottoman conquerors, who had the unpleasant habit of asking about the religion of the local population, after putting a knife to their throat. If you admit that you are a Christian, if you nod, the tip will pierce your skin. So the cunning Bulgarians agreed that shaking the head from now on means a positive answer.
If you look closely, Bulgarians gesture a little differently than we do. They don't lower their chin so much as lift it, and they shake their heads rather than twist them from side to side.
Bulgaria – a country for summer holidays
The coast with sandy beaches is only part of Bulgaria, and a small part at that. There are also mountains that fans of alpine skiing enjoy conquering, as well as interesting natural or historical attractions. Since people have lived in these areas since ancient times, there are a huge number of cultural monuments on the territory of Bulgaria.
The second largest Bulgarian city, Plovdiv, is one of the oldest in Europe, it was built earlier than Athens and Rome, and is well preserved. So it’s worth taking a break from relaxing on the beach and exploring historical sights.
Bulgaria - the birthplace of bell pepper
The homeland of sweet pepper is America, from there the vegetable came to the Old World, including the Balkans. And they began to call it Bulgarian in the USSR, since in the Soviet Union the canned vegetables on store shelves were most often of Bulgarian origin. In Bulgaria, peppers are loved, valued and readily eaten, but they are not called Bulgarian.
By the way, walnut in Bulgarian is also not a walnut at all, but simply “nut”, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
In Bulgaria they really love Russian “brothers”
Bulgarians are hospitable and friendly people, and they remember their history very well. There are monuments to liberators in every city. But you shouldn’t expect any special treatment based on this fact. Among the country's residents there are Russophiles, Russophobes, and those who are completely indifferent to the nationality of their interlocutor, as long as the person is good. And the word “brothers” is somehow not customary to use here – at least in recent years.
Bulgaria has always betrayed Russia and fought against it in wars
Formally, this is true, but if you look at it, the picture turns out to be different. During World War II, Bulgaria did not even declare war on the USSR, although it was an ally of Germany. And during the First World War, military operations were carried out, but the Balkans suffered from them much more than the Russian Empire - many coastal cities were destroyed, and fierce battles were fought in the central part of the country.