World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
The main meal is eaten in the middle of the day. Dinner is a social occasion, with dancing in many restaurants. Food is spicy, hearty and good. National dishes include cold yoghurt soup with cucumbers, peppers or aubergines stuffed with meat, kebapcheta (small, strongly spiced, minced meat rolls). A lot of meals include meat, potatoes and cheese. Fruit is particularly good and cheap throughout the year. Banitsa is a pastry stuffed with fruit or cheese. There is a wide variety of national dishes, as well as Western European standard dishes, which can be chosen on the spot at any restaurant. All good hotels have restaurants and there are many attractive folk-style restaurants and cafes throughout the country.
Coffee, heavily sweetened, is particularly popular. Drinks are also made from infusions of mountain herbs and dried leaves, particularly lime. White wines include Evksinograde, Karlouski Misket and Tamianka. Heavy red wines include Mavroud and Trakia. Liquors include the rather potent mastika and rakia.

Nightlife
Some restaurants have folk dancing and music. Opera is performed at the State Opera House in Sofia; other classical concerts include the National Folk Ensemble. There are nightclubs with floor shows and dancing in Sofia, as well as in most major towns and all the resorts.

Shopping
The main shopping area of Sofia is the Vitosha Boulevard. Bulgarian products, handicrafts, wines, spirits and confectionery can all be purchased. Shopping hours: Shops and stores are generally open Mon-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1400.

Special Events
For a complete list of special events, contact the National Tourist Information Centre or the Embassy (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Bulgaria:
Dec 31-Jan 1 Ladouvane, various towns. Jan International Folklore Festival, Pernik. Mar Martenitsas (Festival of Spring), nationwide; Musical Days, Ruse. May Festival for Authentic Thrace Region Folklore, Haskovo. May-Jun Sofia Musical Weeks. Jun Festival of the Rose, Kazanluk. Jun-Aug The Varna Summer Festival; Golden Orpheus International Pop Music Festival, Sunny Beach. Jul European Cultural Month, Plovdiv. Aug International Folklore Festival, Plovdiv; Quadrennial National Folklore Festival, Koprivstitsa; National Folklore Festivities, Rhodope Mountains; International Folklore Festival, Bourgas. Sep Art, Crafts and Chamber Music, Plovdiv; Apolonia Arts Festivities, Sozopol. Oct St Dmitri’s Day, various towns. Nov Katya Popova International Laureate Festival, Pleven. Dec Saint Barbara, various towns.

Social Conventions
Normal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Dress should be conservative but casual. If invited to the home, a small souvenir from one’s homeland is an acceptable gift. Do not give money. Remember that a nod of the head means ‘No’ and a shake means ‘Yes’. Tipping: Until recently not applicable, but 10 to 12 per cent is now customary.