Location: Balkan state neighbouring Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania Capital: Sofia Population: 7.5 million and decreasing Peoples: 86% Bulgarian (Slavic), 9.4% Turkic, 3.7% Roma (Gypsy) Religion: 80% Christian (mostly Orthodox, <1% Protestant), 12% Muslim, 8% non-religious
A turbulent past
Bulgaria lies at the junction of Turkic Asia and Europe. Powerful states have long competed for control of its trade routes and strategic military position. The first Bulgarian kingdom was formed in 681 A.D. In the 9th century A.D. brother monks Cyril and Methodius created the Cyrillic alphabet, the alphabet of the Slavic peoples. From the 9th until the 14th century, Bulgaria was a controlling force in the Balkans because of its aggressive military tradition and strong sense of national identity.
The Ottoman Turkish rule of 1396-1878 was a period of oppression for ethnic Bulgarians. As a result Turkish-Bulgarian ethnic tensions still smoulder. Liberation from the Turks was followed by a renaissance of Bulgarian culture, until the pro-Soviet Communist rule of 1947-1989.
Bulgaria became a democratic republic in 1989. Positive economic and social reforms have been taking place since 1997, but 13% of Bulgarians still live below the poverty line. Many leave to work illegally in Europe. Primary education for Turkish speakers and Gypsies is not enforced and illiteracy is growing. Bulgaria seeks to join the European Union in 2007.
Divided people
Due to its history, Bulgarian society is deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines.
Most Bulgarian (Slavic) people are Orthodox by religion. Some of these changed to Islam during Ottoman times and are called Pomaks.
A separate group is the Turkish people, who are Muslim.
Another small group, the Millet, seems to be a mixture of Turkish and Rom. Their heart language is Turkish, but they are called gypsies and rejected by the Turkish people. They are mainly Muslim.
And finally, the Rom - gypsy - people are at the bottom of the social ladder. Some call themselves Muslim, others Christian, but they are rejected by all levels of society.
A quick taste of Bulgaria
But what is Bulgaria really like? It is an interesting and diverse country, a nation in transition. Visitors will certainly experience warm hospitality, and meet lots of friendly people. It is a group-orientated culture, so if you befriend one person you are bound to get to know their friends and family too.
Bulgaria is a country of contrasts. It has beautiful countryside, with quaint villages, ancient archaeological sites, and amazing rock formations. It's a great place to ski! And yet it is also one of the poorest eastern European states and there is little regard for the environment.
You'll drink lots of herbal tea - or Turkish coffee - and get to savour the excellent cheese and yoghurt (and maybe even wine) that is made locally. And you'll probably hear the music - Turkish, gypsy, etc - that is an important part of peoples' cultural identity.
