On "Ивановден"
(7 January) every Ivan and Ivanka celebrates, on "Гергьовден"
(6 May) every Georgi and Gergana. Call or text them: "Честит имен ден!"
The traditional wish is "Да ти е живо името!"
— "may your name live on". The person celebrating treats others to sweets or cake.
Explore Bulgaria
Name days
Many Bulgarians celebrate their "имен ден"
(name day) — the church feast of the saint they're named after — just like a birthday.
History of Bulgaria
An illustrated history of Bulgaria
Explore Bulgaria
Ned Jelyazkov · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Bulgarian yoghurt
Bulgarians rarely say "йогурт"
— they say "кисело мляко"
, literally "sour milk".
Animsaj · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
The Rose Valley
Between the Balkan Mountains and Sredna Gora lies "Долината на розите"
— the Rose Valley around Kazanlak and Karlovo.
Artkostov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
The fire dancers
In a few villages of the Strandzha Mountains, "нестинари"
(fire dancers) dance barefoot on glowing embers — "жар"
— holding icons of Saints Constantine and Helena.