Bulgaria's Days of Wine & Roses
By Robert Haru Fisher
The very name of Bulgaria to most Americans conveys an air of romance and mystery, occasioned perhaps by its relative remoteness in the days before air travel and email, when getting there from here was a chore, and communication always slow and doubtful. With the nation's emergence as a vital new democracy, however, observers have seen over the past 15 years the growth of a new spirit of unity with the rest of Europe and new expressions of hope in all cultural endeavors. Now is a good time to visit, when the tourism infrastructure has greatly improved, making it much easier to get around the country as rapidly as necessary, and in comfort. (But I would add, take your time and, of course, smell the roses.)
Whatever may happen, Bulgaria always has its permanent charms, from the glorious Valley of the Roses to its sunny Black Sea Coast, and much inland to attract thoughtful visitors as well. A sense of new beginnings is very much in evidence throughout the country, all the more so in the center of Sofia itself. And on a national scale, Bulgaria is a candidate for full membership in the European Union in the near future, authorities say...(more)
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AT-A-GLANCE:
| • Capital: |
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• Sofia |
| • Population: |
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• 8,000,000 |
| • Largest City: |
| |
• Sofia (population
1,188,000) |
| • Neighboring
Countries: |
| |
• Located in the
eastern part of the Balkan peninsula, Bulgaria shares a northern
border with Romania and a western border with Yugoslavia and
Macedonia. To the south Bulgaria shares a border with Greece and
Turkey. |
| • Language: |
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• Bulgarian (the oldest
written Slavonic language) |
| • Size: |
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• 111,000
square km |
| • Currency: |
| |
• LEV (BGL) (1 BGL =0.5
EURO) |
| • Upcoming
Events: |
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•
Tsvetnitsa-Vrubnitsa (Palm Sunday)
On Sunday before Easter Bulgarians celebrate Tsvetnitsa (Palm Sunday), or the day of flowers, plants and trees. With this celebration the Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the glorious entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem...(more) |
| • Fun Fact: |
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| • Tourist Office
(U.S.A.): |
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• Bulgarian Tourism Authority
1, Sveta Nedelia Sq.
1000 Sofia, BULGARIA Phone: +359 (0)2
987 97 78
Fax: +359 (0)2 989 69 39
Email:
www.bulgariatravel.org or
www.bulgarian-tourism.com |
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