VAGABOND
Bulgaria’s English Magazine

DR ELENA VOEVA: THE MISSION TO CREATE SMILES

MOSAICS OF COMMUNISM

THE EMBRACE OF GODLESS LAKE

DR ELENA VOEVA: THE MISSION TO CREATE SMILES

MOSAICS OF COMMUNISM

THE EMBRACE OF GODLESS LAKE

DR ELENA VOEVA: THE MISSION TO CREATE SMILES

At Voeva Dental Clinic digital innovations meet professionalism

THE EMBRACE OF GODLESS LAKE

One of Pirin's most enchanting destinations is short chair-lift ride away

MOSAICS OF COMMUNISM

Long-forgotten art fades away before our eyes

WATERFALL WONDERS

Small but spectacular, Kaya Bunar near Hotnitsa charms locals and expats alike

MASTODONS OF DORKOVO

Pliocene museum reveals Bulgaria's unknown prehistory

'THIS IS NOT A DAIRY FARM!'

It means "Nothing is as easy as it seems" or "All that glisters is not gold"

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

One of the most moving Bulgarian holidays is the midnight celebration of the Orthodox Easter

WHICH RIVER RUNS THROUGH THE RHODOPE?

Think you know Bulgaria and the Bulgarians? Take our test to doublecheck

TOP 12 SITES NOT TO MISS IN 2026

Nature, history, roses and dancing men: ideas for each month of the year

TALK OF THE TOWN

PROF. MIGLENA TEMELKOVA, PHD: FUTURE BEGINS TODAY

The rector of UTP has created an environment in which students begin their journey towards professional success even before they graduate
ENG VLADISLAVA KIROVA: SAFETY AS A MINDSET

The CEO and Manager Occupational Health and Safety Serviсes at AS CLUB Ltd discusses the high costs of compromise
TATYANA DIMITROVA: NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD

When Randevu Travel organises your journey, you are in safe hands
GERGANA OBBOVA: FROM A PRINTING SERVICE TO AN INTELLIGENT SOLUTION

The co-founder of GPTS Print Shop on the skill of mastering change
ATTORNEY AT LAW ANNA POPOVA LL.M.: LAW AS A CALLING

This energetic and elegant lady's international reputation in the defence of human rights is only part of her remarkable career
VALENTINA RICHANEK: FROM BULGARIA WITH LOVE

The entrepreneur presents natural products to European market. Her own brand, Inbyo, is a must-have
MILENA KOSTADINOVA: BREATHE DEEPLY, LIVE FULLY

The founder of OxyHelp Bulgaria champions a holistic healthcare model that merges innovation and individual care
ANA MINEVA: YOUR DIGITAL LEGACY IS IN YOUR HANDS

DGLegacy® is a revolutionary app that ensures your digital assets go to whoever you want, however you want
JULIE YORDANOVA: FEMALE PERSPECTIVE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Sensitivity, aesthetics and attention to detail are not a weakness – they are a competitive advantage
THE MAGIC OF WATCHMAKING

Dimitris Gerontopoulos, a master watchmaker, runs the official technical department of Rolex in Bulgaria
DR NADYA BELCHEVA: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF HEALTHY SMILE

Belcheva Dental clinic is a benchmark for orthodontic treatment
IRINA GANCHOVA: WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF

MoveSense AI helps parents identify potential posture issues in their children and seek professional assessment in good time
RUMYANA NIKOLOVA: VALUE-BASED BUSINESS

With Farkon medical supplies from world manufacturers help patients in Bulgaria
DANIELA IZATOVSKA: TRUE CLEANLINESS IS POSSIBLE

IZI ProTech offers that professional cleaning that you have always dreamed of
INNA MARINOVA: LEADING WITH STRUCTURE AND EMPATHY IN CORPORATE TRAVEL

The country manager for Roundtrip on how intelligent systems and human judgement redefine business mobility
TANYA KOSSEVA-BOSHOVA: BUSINESS SPACES THAT NURTURE SUCCESS

The Managing Director of Lion's Head on the smart development of the commercial property sector
DR MARIELA HITOVA: REDISCOVERING BEAUTY

At EuroDerma Dermatology Clinic, health and good appearance are not superficial
ELENA KANEVA AND VICTORIA KAROLEVA: "AWESOME" AS A STANDARD

The founders of Awesomesauce build their marketing strategies on the understanding that creativity should serve meaning before it serves aesthetics
LAWYER DARINA EMILOVA: TRUE SUCCESS IS BUILT

Full transparency and trust through openness make the foundation of her practice
MARIYA DIMITROVA: ANTICIPATING CHANGE

Right Pack creates far more than quality packaging - it is a reliable partner to start-up and established businesses

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

YOU CAN SIT WITH US

Desislava Kostadinova's solo exhibition delicately pushes the limits of the uncomfortable in a world defined by digital media
FESTIVAL OF PROFESSIONAL FOLK MUSIC AND DANCE ART

Between 20 and 29 March Burgas is a stage for the beauty of the past refracted through the prism of modernity
ARCHITECTURE IN RHYTHM WITH NATURE AND WITH ETEM SYSTEMS

The home as an experience from Bulgaria to the Greek islands
ARCHITECT RAYKA POPOVA: SPACES THAT TELL STORIES

Design philosophy: Balance and sustainability
NEOCLINIC: WHERE ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS MEET PERSONALISED CARE

NeoClinic Diagnostic and Consultation Centre has established itself as one of Sofia’s leading providers of modern outpatient medical care
MM DESIGN STUDIO: WE LISTEN. WE CREATE. YOU ENJOY

10 years shared ideas and cosy spaces
SACRED HISTORIES AND FANTASTIC LANDSCAPES

Drawings, paintings, sculpture and icons by Andrey Daniel, Atanas Atanasov and Stanimir Zhelev
LEADERSHIP FORUM AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR DAY 2025

The event gathered over 700 leaders, visionaries and entrepreneurs
TAKE A STEP: WHEN SOCKS ARE A GESTURE OF WARMTH AND STYLE

If you’re looking for a thoughtful Christmas gift that feels personal without being complicated, TAKE A STEP is a brand worth noticing
GALISIMA-1: FROM BENELUX WITH LOVE

The exquisite tastes of one of Europe's most distinctive places at your doorstep
LA SCALA – PRECISION IN DETAIL. HARMONY IN PROCESS

For two decades, La Scala has been creating spaces where precision and beauty exist in perfect balance
MOBILITY WITHOUT COMMITMENT: TOP RENT A CAR LAUNCHES MONTHLY CAR SUBSCRIPTIONS

While owning a car is undoubtedly convenient, it also entails a long list of responsibilities, including regular maintenance, insurance, taxes, parking fees, and unexpected repairs
THE RIGHT MARKET VALUE, WITH REVEX

Engineer Varban Marinov, Managing Partner, on the role of professional property valuers

Vibrant Communities

MOSAICS OF COMMUNISM

THE EMBRACE OF GODLESS LAKE

WATERFALL WONDERS

MASTODONS OF DORKOVO

TOP 12 SITES NOT TO MISS IN 2026

THE MAGIC OF GLASS

EXPLORE OUR BOOKS

Quote-unquote

Bulgaria has always strived to align with the stronger player. We are omnivorous – we always try to hedge our bets.

Political scientists explain why Bulgaria has decided to join President Trump's Board of Peace

FEATURES

CHARITY DID NOT BEGIN WITH US, AND IT WILL CONTINUE AFTER US!

150 years of the women's movement in Lovech and the Lovech Women's Society Blagodetel
BLENDING TRADITIONS

A diplomat family's international Christmas in Bulgaria
IN THE ICY WATERS OF THE SUBANTARCTIC

Elka "Nunio" Vasileva becomes first Bulgarian woman to helm boat in Antarctica
BULGARIA IN ANTARCTICA?

Whereas not too many people in the world know where Bulgaria is and sometimes not even what it is, even fewer would imagine that this country has a more or less permanent presence in... Antarctica
THE VELCHOVA ZAVERA HIKE

Following the footsteps of freedom from Veliko Tarnovo to Velchevo village
LES FRANÇAIS EN BULGARIE

French travellers, diplomats and writers have visited Bulgaria for centuries
BULGARIA'S NEW 'PATRIOTISM'

Sure way to generate media coverage, make some money and win some votes
WHAT WAS THE SEPTEMBER UPRISING?

In 1923, Bulgaria experienced an undeclared, but brutal civil war. Today it is largely forgotten
WHO WAS RENÉ CHARRON?

How a French Jew helped thousands of immigrant Bulgarians in the direst years of the 20th century
REARVIEW MIRROR OF BULGARIA AND AMERICA

State Archives looks at 120 years of diplomatic relations
LAPSE OF TIME

Have Bulgarians found new meanings for their Communist-era monuments?
WHY DOES 'SORRY' SEEM TO BE THE HARDEST WORD?

Official Bulgaria continues to eschew responsibility for Holocaust
BULGARIA'S LAST MONARCH

Was King Boris III a man of the people or just a Balkan quisling?
WHO WAS ALEKO KONSTANTINOV?

Creator of 'stock' Bulgarian inspires exploration of national psyche
RUSSIA BRINGS ON... VANGA

Long-dead Bulgarian clairvoyant gets turned into weapon of Kremlin propaganda
FINDING ANTIP KOEV OBUSHTAROV

Early 20th century photographer unveils poignant picture of a lost Bulgaria
MONUMENTAL WOES

Why Sofia's Red Army monument will likely remain standing for long time to come
PREFAB SOCIETY

Will Bulgaria's Communist-era panelki buildings survive into future?
WHO WERE THE BOGOMILS?

Medieval Bulgarian heresy rebels against earthly powers, creating spiritual movement that almost won over Europe
WHO WAS HRISTO BOTEV?

While he was alive, he was considered a troublemaker. Soon after his death, he became a national hero

JOKE OF THE MONTH

'THIS IS NOT A DAIRY FARM!'
It means "Nothing is as easy as it seems" or "All that glisters is not gold"
WENT THE HORSE INTO THE RIVER
Your guide to Bulgarian idioms
BELIEVE IN IT, OR NOT
In words, Bulgarians are very proud of the Orthodox Church which they believe was a guiding light through the centuries of Ottoman (Muslim) domination
BULGARIA MAY FIND ITSELF IN EYE OF NUCLEAR STORM
In response to Former Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev online sabre-rattling against the West, American President Donald Trump ordered two US nuclear submarines to be moved to "appropriate locations."
SEARCHING FOR SHUMEN PANTHER
It all started with a couple of people taking a walk in the Shumen plateau area

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

One of the most moving Bulgarian holidays is the midnight celebration of the Orthodox Easter...
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

A huge map of Europe entirely made of small pebbles...
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

One of the many differences between Western Christianity and the Eastern Orthodox tradition concerns Epiphany
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

You are standing 2,850 meters above sea level, at what is one of the Pirin mountain range highest peaks
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

When the young Patrick Leigh Fermor – a man considered one of the 20th century great travel writers – visited this town in 1934, he stumbled upon an oddity
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

Situated deep in the Bulgarian heartland, this place feels as though it belongs to southern Germany or the Austro-Hungarian Empire
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

At first glance this town might disappoint...
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

You are in a small town in the Bulgarian northwest, for years one of the EU's poorest regions. It was not always so
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

Sandwiched between the Stara Planina and the Sredna Gora mountain ranges in central Bulgaria a series of interconnected valleys provide about 90 percent of one of this country's most prized exports, attar of roses
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

Home to probably the best preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria this town sits on the right bank of the Danube
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

You are at the bottom of an extinct volcano

POLITICS

'BULGARIA'S TWIN PEAKS'

Multiple murders split nation ahead of snap general election
TOP 10 MISTAKES

First-time visitors to Bulgaria will make – and how to avoid them
WILL 'RIGHT WING' GET IT RIGHT, FINALLY?

"Democratic community" organises "round table" to discuss rapprochement
2 € OR NOT 2 €

President exacerbates 'debate' about joining single currency
ENTER 'GRANDEUR'

Constitutional Court cancels last general election, new political party goes into parliament
US vs EU?

How Bulgarians perceive US President's first moves
CIRCUS BULGARIA

Bulgarian MPs prolong impasse ahead of likely snap election next spring
YET ANOTHER STALEMATE

Key takeaways from the Bulgarian general election
SLIDING INTO UNBRIDLED POPULISM

Bulgaria backtracks on legal reforms, human rights
NEW SNAP ELECTION LOOMS ON HORIZON

Constitutional Court decides whether recent changes to basic law were legal
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM GENERAL ELECTION 2024.0

Voting becomes act of emotion rather than reason
BETWEEN THE FRYING PAN AND THE FIRE

Will Bulgaria become more pro-Russian after general election?
WHY DO SO MANY BULGARIANS LOVE RUSSIA?

Truth, lies, manipulated history and conspiracy theories confound citizens
UPS & DOWNS OF BULGARIAN ANTISEMITISM

Failure to face recent past, unbridled hate speech feed continued prejudice
WHAT FEEDS BULGARIAN NOSTALGIA FOR COMMUNISM?

Collapse of 'Bulgarian Dream' suits politicians left, right and centre

INTERVIEWS

DR ELENA VOEVA: THE MISSION TO CREATE SMILES

At Voeva Dental Clinic digital innovations meet professionalism
DR. STOYANA NATSEVA: AWAKEN YOUR TRUE HAPPINESS

Dr. Stoyana Natseva is a university lecturer, PhD in psychology, DBA, founder of Happy Life Academy®, author of 15 bestselling books, holder of three official world records
METODI MITEV'S MISSION TO BRING POSITIVE CHANGE

The visionary entrepreneur on why Bulgaria needs a Lobbying Act and how businesses and society can truly benefit from the green transition
THE BULGARIAN 56 PEAKS CHALLENGE

Tony McMurray had an idea. Then he climbed, and climbed, and climbed until it became a reality
VERZHINIYA IVANOVA: THE BEAUTIFUL FACE OF SUCCESS

From beauty queen to effective financial manager – Verzhiniya Ivanova confidently achieves the goals she sets for herself
MARILYN MONROE'S FINAL HOUR

Dr Vivian Pramataroff-Hamburger and Prof Dr Andreas Hamburger's play searches for woman behind legend
TANYA TSVETKOVA: BRINGING CLARITY AND LIGHT TO PROPERTY DEALS

The founder of Svetlina Imot real estate agency, is focused not just on deals, but on building trust
PETAR DELEV: THE IMPORTANCE OF DREAMING BOLDLY AND ACTING SMARTLY

From sportswear to healthy food to solar energy, the story of entrepreneur Petar Delev is a tale of success and calculated risk
A NEW ERA IN NON-INVASIVE CARDIOLOGY

Assoc. Prof. Krasimira Hristova, MD, PhD, is opening a General Electric center of excellence with the latest technologies for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease
LORETA FILIPOVA: THE ART OF LAW AND THE LAWS OF ART

A lawyer dedicated to empowering others – through her professional work and acting schools
NELLY PAEVA: HOW NEUROMARKETING CAN TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS

The CEO of Healthix, offers an innovative approach that can help companies and leaders thrive even in uncertain times
A MAN AND HIS BICYCLE

Frenchman Olivier Meissel has cycled across Bulgaria in tribute to father
NATALIA PETROVA: INTELLIGENT INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS

The CEO of Concord Asset Management works tirelessly to provide visionary clients with more opportunities to profit
CATHERINE BANNON

Irish ambassador on skiing, walking purposefully and raising children in Sofia
KRASSIMIRA HRISTOVA: THE PLEASURE OF SMART DRIVING

Krassimira Hristova and her company, Tsaki, help us enjoy our cars – and protect the environment
AMITABH VARDHAN AND THE MAGIC OF THE BIG SCREEN

The managing director and CEO of Cine Grand on crafting unforgettable experiences
NATHANIEL COPSEY

British ambassador on cycling, literature and Bulgarian luminosity
METAL COMES TO LIFE IN OUR HANDS!

Nedyalka and Dimitar Mitkovi, founders of MN Design, create objects of strength and beauty
ALEXANDER IGNATOV: MAKING THE MOST OF DIGITAL REVOLUTION

Alexander Ignatov created the digital agency Sky Prime to build strategies for sustainable growth, providing companies with solutions that yield long-term results in the digital space
DR BRANIMIR KIRILOV: COMMITTED TO PATIENTS' WELLBEING

Dr Branimir Kirilov has turned his dental clinic, Medical Dent, into a place you enter with pleasure and leave healthy and happy

BULGARIA'S MONTHLY QUIZ

BULGARIA SOCIETY

PLAYING IN CHARLENE'S GARDEN

First ever modern playground in what is one of the EU's largest Roma neighbourhoods is chance to learn and socialise in safe environment
OPEN BUZLUDZHA 2024

Contemporary festival brings light to Communist ruin
IS RACISM IN BULGARIA ON THE RISE?

Xenophobic rhetoric intensifies ahead of general, European elections
TRAINING BULGARIA'S YOUTH HOW TO DEBATE

BEST Foundation's tournament takes place in Burgas
BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM AND ITS BULGARIAN CONNECTION

Oscar nomination for domestically unknown actress ignites culture wars
IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

I met Dimitrina on 19 October 2018. A woman with bright fuchsia sneakers the sort teenage girls wear and two blood-red scars on her nose.
ARRIVAL CITY

The neighbourhood is a perpetual building site
EUROPE DAY VS. DAY OF VICTORY

If you think that 14 February is the high point of the Bulgarians' ability to squeeze culturally different feasts into a single day, think again.
THE BIRTH OF BULGARIAN FASCISM

Ethnically motivated violence becomes daily occurrence
WELCOME TO THE NKRSDEWOOJTYDEG

Someone must have been telling lies about Georgi A. He knew he had done nothing wrong, but one morning he woke to find that everything in his world was turned back to front.
HAS BULGARIA CHANGED FOR THE BETTER SINCE 1999?

A backpacker retraces his steps and makes some surprising discoveries
THE GIPSON ARCHIVE

A collection of glass photographic plates from 1912–1913 reveals fragments of unknown Balkan history
SHALOM! SHALOM!

Ironically, most Bulgarians associate the date 9 September with the 1944 Communist coup. But for Bulgaria's Jews it has an entirely different meaning: On that day 100 years ago, in Sofia, King Ferdinand attended the inauguration of Europe's largest Sephardic synagogue

VAGABOND FICTION

TURBOT SEASON

From the collection When You Arrive, Give Me a Call, Obsidian, 2017
MOTHERS, an excerpt from a novel

She watched her descend the staircase, as though in slow motion, with her second-hand white clothes
FROM FROM THE SKY TO THE EARTH

summer with its easy wins
summer with its plans
SELECTED POETRY

it’s light out I tell you
there’s still lots more
STORY WITH CAKE

This story took place on the New Year’s Eve of my last winter in Bulgaria
LITTLE MONSTIE

There’s someone you have not yet met:
He wears three mittens in crimson red
SAINT WOLF, an excerpt from a novel

The train was coming out of the darkness and rushing back into it, and this was happening so quickly that the darkness seemed endless, especially from behind the compartment window
ADVENTURES IN SQUARELAND, an excerpt from a novel

By dusk, Foxie was over the mountain separating the Tranquil Forest from the rest of the world, and was now walking over hills overgrown with bushes and trees
WE ARE ALL PAGES, an excerpt

“A RETIRED PEDIATRICIAN LOOKING TO MEET a modest and respectful woman. Dad, are you sure about this ad?”
HAIR

She remembered the day she went to the hair salon. She hadn’t dyed her hair in four years, and hadn’t gotten a drastic haircut in three
ÁNNE

Sometimes, Lola and I would take out a bunch of covers and blankets out on the porch and spend the night under the stars
ZOYA

‘You’re so sour-tempered, Gergana’ asserted baba Zoya and kept knitting. ‘As if a lemon wedge is stuck to your tongue.’
WHERE I BELONG

The gulp of winter air fills my lungs with chills, then retreats with a sigh
VANISHING POINT

“I hate her.”
WAR DRUMS

There is a pedestrian tunnel beneath Fourteenth Street, connecting the subway trains at Sixth Avenue with those at Seventh
ISLINGTON

So will things be different, do you think, for us now? She asked this from the bathtub. Her voice was surprising because it was so light.
THE ALPHABET OF SUPPOSITION, an excerpt

When my aunt Fani called me in Chicago from Bulgaria to tell me she had found her brother, my father, dead, lying back across his bed with his right hand over the heart, she chose the inferential mood to relay the news
AN EXCERPT FROM A NOVEL IN PROGRESS

Above my writing desk I had a line from Le temps retrouvé
REMEMBERING NOT FORGETTING, an excerpt

“That was really not necessary,” the doctor tells Nadezda as he takes the box of assorted chocolates and places them on the side.
A WINTER WALK IN SOFIA

A young man, with an apron, stained from a just filleted fresh fish, storms out of the back entrance of a small restaurant to a crossing of Stamboliyski boulevard, sits in front and lights a cigarette

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