1. Kim, Minjung Noh, Meyoung MILA RODINO Stately old mountain, next to it the Danube blue, shining upon Trakiya, the sun burns over Pirin. (area of the Rhodope mountains) Chorus- Dear motherland, you are paradise on earth, your beauty and your charm, ah, they have no bounds. Countless fighters gave their lives for our beloved people. Mother, give us manly strength to carry on their course.

2. What do you know about Bulgaria? Yogurt Feta Cheese Perfume Wine Bulgaria Folk Dance

3. Facts & Figures Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Capital: Sofia Population: 7,450,349 (July 2005 est.) Ethnic Groups: Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census) Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% Language: Bulgarian

4. Facts & Figures (cont.) Location & Capital http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe

5. History, Politics & Economy 5 th century: Slavs began to settle 7 th century: Slavs joined with Bulgars in 681, gaining recognition as the first Bulgarian state. In 864: the official adoption of Byzantinerite Christianity. Until World War II, Bulgaria's economy was largely agricultural. After World War II (1939–1945): a socialist government was instituted under Soviet tutelage. State socialism brought rapid industrialization and the collectivization of agriculture, leading to a significant population shift to the towns and cities. During the socialist period senior party officials, managers of state enterprises, and their kin formed an elite. Following the fall of state socialism, elite status began to be measured more in terms of monetary wealth.

6. History, Politics & Economy (cont) In 1986, agriculture made up 16 percent of the economy (measured as a share of gross value added); industry, 60 percent. During the socialist era, rapid industrialization occurred, particularly in heavy industry such as machinery production, mining and metallurgy, and chemical and oil processing. In 1990: the establishment of a democratic government. Major export categories: chemical and petroleum products, machinery, electronics, mining and metallurgy, textiles and clothing, and processed food, beverages, and tobacco.

7. Religion In the 2001 census, 82.6% Orthodox Christians, 12,2% Muslim, 1.2% other Christian denominations, 4% other religions (Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Judaism)BuddhismTaoism HinduismJudaism zero percent atheists. It practices what it understands to be the original ancient traditions, believing in growth without change. The goal of Orthodox Christians from baptism, is to continually draw near to God throughout life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Bulgaria#Religion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church

8. Education Free and compulsory for children aged seven to sixteen (four years elementary; six to eight secondary). Ethnic Bulgarians value education many parents paying for private tutoring to ensure that their children pass entrance examinations for the better secondary schools and universities Since 1989, many private schools have been established, offering an educational alternative for the wealthy and often catering to those not accepted into elite state schools. Turks and Gypsies: Levels of educational achievement are generally lower Higher Education. Bulgaria has an extensive system of higher education, with state universities, technical institutes, and teacher's colleges in a number of cities.

9. Holiday & Rituals For both Christians and Muslims, the most significant rituals are those associated with the passage of life: birth, marriage, and death, as well as christening (for Christians) and circumcision (for Muslims). Christian holidays include Christmas, Easter, Lent, and saints' days. Muslim holidays include the month-long fast of Ramadan and the Festival of Sacrifice (Kurban Bairam). Churches and especially monasteries are considered sacred, not only to the Orthodox Church but also to the nation, as they played a significant role in the national emancipation. Death and the Afterlife. Both Orthodox Christians and Muslims believe in an afterlife. For both, proper observance of death and burial-related rituals is considered crucial to the soul's proper passage into the afterlife.

10. Baba Marta (Grandma March) March 1 st Exchange and wear Martenitsa which is white and red little bracelets, tassels or small dolls called Pizho and Penda. Baba Marta is a mythical figure, an old lady who brings the end of the cold winter and the beginning of the spring. Baba Marta has very contrasting moods. This is related to the weather during the month of March, which is traditionally extremely variable in Bulgaria – warm and sunny weather means that Baba Marta is happy; when she is angry, the winter frost returns. Martenitsa made of red and white yarn. The Martenitsa is always given as a gift. Bulgarians wear it from 1 March until the first time an individual sees a stork, swallow or budding tree. Some people would tie their martenitsason a branch of a fruit tree, thus giving the tree health and luck. Symbolic the wish for good health, happiness, love. the new life and the spring too. White --the cycle of life and death, the balance of good and bad in human life.

11. Reference Routamaa, B., Hautala, T. & Tsutzuki, Y. (2009). Values and cultures in integrating business: a comparison of Bulgaria, Finland, and Japan. World journal of management, 1(1), 13-22) http://www.floweradvisor.co.uk/florist/bulgaria/flowers/f uneral_flowers/30/ http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global- etiquette/bulgaria.html http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global- etiquette/bulgaria.html http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Bulgaria.html http://www.easybulgarian.com/members/u01_sample.ht ml Professor Antoaneta Bonev