CULTURE AND TRADITIONS `February 2012

Ancient city of Nessebar With its extremely beautiful nature and unique ancient and medieval architecture it is one of the most attractive resorts and tourist attractions at the Black Sea coast.

Boyana Church The Boyana Church was built in 1259 during the reign of tsar Constantine Assen ( )

Madara Rider It represents the figure of a warrior triumphing over a lion and it’s carved into a 100-m-high cliff in north-east Bulgaria in the first decade of the 8-th century. The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred between 705 and 801 AD.

Rila Monastery Rila Monastery was founded in the 10 th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life in medieval Bulgaria.

Rock–Hewn Churches of Ivanovo The archaeological reserve “Rock-Hewn Churches", in Ivanovo village, also includes the rock-hewn monastery “Saint Archangel Mihail". It’s one of the biggest spiritual and literary centers in Bulgaria during the 13th and 14th centuries. The well- preserved wall-paintings in six churches and chapels are the most significant achievements of the Bulgarian medieval art during the 14th century.

Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak The most famous of all the Thracian tombs is the one in Kazanlak. It dates back to the 4-th century B.C. It was found on April 19, 1944 during a trench digging by a couple of soldiers. The brilliance of its frescoes is the reason for it being included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari This 3 rd -century BC Thracian tomb reflects the fundamental principals of Thracian cult building. The 10 female figures, carved in high relief on the walls of the central chamber, are the only examples of this type ever found in theThracian lands.

Srebarna Nature Reserve It is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube and the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter.

Pirin National Park The site comprises diverse limestone mountain landscapes with glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and predominantly coniferous forests.

Nestinarstvo Nestinarstvo is a ritual originally performed in several Bulgarian villages in the Strandja Mountains close to the Black Sea coast. It involves a barefooted dance on smouldering embers (jarava) performed by nestinari. It is usually performed on the square of the village in front of the whole population on the day of Saints Constantine and Helen or the day of the village's patron saint. The ritual is a unique mixture of Eastern Orthodox beliefs and older pagan traditions from the Strandja Mountains.

Bistritsa Grandmothers Bistritsa Grandmothers or the Bistritsa babi are extremely famous elderly women who have become well known for their performances of ancient polyphonic folk songs from the Shopluk area.

Bulgarian Traditions Koledari This ritual takes place at Christmas night from midnight to sunrise. It is believed that the songs and costumes of the Koledari men frighten evil spirits away.

Bulgarian Traditions Kukeri Around New year and before Lent, the kukeri walk and dance through the village to scare evil spirits away with their costumes and the sound of the bells, as well as to provide a good harvest, health, and happiness for the village during the year.

Bulgarian Traditions Martenitsa Martenitsa is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and worn from 1 st until around the end of March (or the 1 st time you see a stork, a swallow or a budding tree). The holiday is called “Baba Marta” and it is a tradition associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring.

Bulgarian Traditions Lazaruvane “Lazaruvane” is a Bulgarian traditional custom. People celebrate it on the day of St. Lazar - one week before Easter. The girls walk around the houses, sing and dance. They wish for happiness and health. People give them eggs and presents.

Bulgarian cusine YOGHURT It is made of sheep,cow or buffalo milk with the very special help of Lactobacillus Bulgaricum. It is really one of a kind.The Bulgarian yoghurt is a substantial ingredient of many Bulgarian traditional dishes.

Bulgarian cusine TARATOR /cold soup great for the hot summer days/ It is made of yoghurt, cucumber,water, vegetable oil, dill and salt, garlic,walnuts. It is best served chilled or even with ice - very refreshing on a hot day.

Bulgarian cusine Beans in an earthenware pot This is a traditional Bulgarian dish that can be tasted in every typical Bulgarian restaurant. It is prepared from beans, peppers, onion, tomatoes and savory and/or mint.

Bulgarian cusine Banitsa It’s a traditional Bulgarian pastry made of eggs, flour and cheese. You can taste different variations of banitsa all around the country. It can be eaten for breakfast or as a dessert.