Bulgaria is a developing country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a population of over 7 million people and its capital and largest city is Sofia. Bulgaria has a long history dating back to the first Bulgarian Empire in the 7th century and was under Ottoman rule for nearly five centuries before gaining independence in 1878. Today, Bulgaria is a member of NATO and the European Union. The country has a predominantly Orthodox Christian population and its culture is influenced by both Eastern and Western traditions. Tourism and agriculture are important industries for Bulgaria's developing economy.

1. Bulgaria
(България)

2. Intercultural Communication
• How could I understand people from different
cultures better?
• Why do I need to behave appropriate in an
intercultural situation?
!!! do`s and don`ts in Bulgaria

3. Menu/Topics
• Main facts
• Geography and landscape
• History
• Culture and traditions
• Bulgaria – developing country
• Tourism and manufacture
• Questionnaire

4. България
Bulgaria
 Member of the European Union since January, 1 2007
 Member of NATO since 2004
 Population: 7,621,337 people
 Capital city: Sofia – 1,2 million people1
 GERB – “We build Bulgaria”
Rosen Plevneliev, President Boyko Borisov, Prime minister

5. Bulgaria at the crossroads

6. I Bulgarian state (681-1018)
 Slavic / Proto-Bulgarian union
 863 – Slavonic language
 865 – Orthodox Christianity
Khan Asparouh

7. II Bulgarian state (1185-1393)
Renaissance – architecture, literature, painting
Self-awareness
Churches and battle strongholds, 13-14 century

8. III Bulgarian state (1878-)2
• Rebel in 1876 – unsuccessful
• Russian-Turkish Liberation War (1877-1878)
• World War II – switching sides between
Germany and Russia
• Nowadays – parliamentary democracy

9. Foreign influence
• Russia and Turkey
Loan words
Religion
Everyday life
Music

10. Bulgaria – developing country
A developing country, also known as a less-developed country (LDC), is a
nation with a low living standard, undeveloped industrial base, and low
Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other countries.
Based on EU Funds and Programs3
 New railway, road and communication infrastructure
 Regions and people
 Social environment

11. Tourism and manufacture
Resorts: at the sea, in the mountain (alpinism and skiing), SPA
Cultural tourism: museums, historical monuments
Export:
 Honey, cheese, yoghurt
 Rose oil
 Sunflower oil
 Fruits and vegetables
 Wine, beer

12. CULTURE
• Language, religion, population
• Holidays
• Traditional/modern music and dances
• Manners and values
• Arts and sports

13. Language4
9.1 4.2 1.5
Bulgarian
Turkish
Roman
85.2 Other

14. Religion5
0.8 13.2
10
Orthodox
76 Islam
Catholicism
Others

15. Population6
27.5
urban
72.5 rural

16. Urbanization and agglomeration
Better opportunities
Development
*180 depopulated villages7

17. Let`s talk Bulgarian!
• Give me five!
• Give me a clutch!
• Hello, my brother!
• Hi, man!
(Chichkovite chervenotikvenichkovcheta)
“Чичковите червенотиквеничковчета”
(Neprotivokonstitucioosnovatelstvuvaite)
“Непротивоконституциооснователствувайте”
Don`t misuse the constitution!

18. Holidays
Orthodox, National and Pagan
Religious tolerance
Shipka`s monument (Freedom)
Lazarus Saturday
Baba Marta

19. Traditional/modern music
and dances
1977 - "Izlel e Delyu Haydutin" as part of the Voyager Golden
Record selection of music
60,000 years more space for at least
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlNmxV9J2xs&feature=related
Shows – Bulgaria`s got talent, Music Idol, The voice of Bulgaria
SkilleR and Pe4enkata – world beatbox champions at the
Beatbox Battle World Championship 2012 – Berlin
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXKZ8Amvr4&feature=related

20. Manners and values
• Family and hospitality
• Everyday life and rules of behavior
• Stereotypes and prejudices in Bulgaria
- Gypsy nation

21. Sports
Hristo Stoichkov - The Dagger, El
Pistolero, The dog, The modern Left
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf6qMXi5n4I
Yordan Yovchev -
4 Olympic medals
Ivet Lalova – The “fastest white woman” in the world

22. Questionnaire
1. Which is the capital city of Bulgaria?
2. How many sea sides has Bulgaria?
3. Who is Baba Marta?
4. Who is the most popular Bulgarian sportsman?
5. Who are the Gypsies?

23. Links and Literature
• 1,4,5,6,7
- POPULATION CENSUS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA (2011)
• 2 - http://www.historymuseum.org/
• 3 - http://www.eufunds.bg/en/