TALK OF THE TOWN

LAWYER MAGDALENA VALOVA: PASSION FOR PROFESSIONALISM

The commercial and PPP partner at Andrey Delchev & Partners Law Firm on what does it mean to have a practice that constantly strives to perfection
BUILDEX & BUILDEX INVESTMENT: FROM IDEAS TO BUILDINGS

Sergey Sindrakov and Kamen Ivanov are on a mission to create homes, not just properties
DR YOANA FILEVA: THE TRANSFORMATION YOU NEED

High-class orthodontics and devoted patient care
PENKOV, MARKOV & PARTNERS LAW FIRM: COMMITTED TO THE CLIENT

Vladimir Penkov, Chairman and Senior Partner, on the history and principles of one of Bulgaria's most respected law firms
THE SMILE AFTER 40

The story of Dr Maria Dyukendzhieva: a strong woman in one of the most precise medical professions
LAWYER SIYANA VELIKOVA: IN SEARCH OF A JUST BALANCE

A practice focused on the intelligent resolution of divorce conflicts
MEDICAL DENT: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE PERFECT SMILE

Dr Branimir Kirilov has built an implantology practice that sets the standard for quality, and he is eager to share his expertise
GRAVITY HOMES & LIVING

Creating homes full of quality, nature, and meaning
LEGE ARTIS: TURNING VISION INTO SMILES

Dr Borislav Rangochev on the potential of digital technologies in dental medicine
PANORAMA PARK: A LIFE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

Panorama Park is not just a residential project
DR BONKA MUTAFCHIYSKA: FULFILLING THE PATIENT'S DREAM SMILE IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

Mutafchiyska Dent Dental Clinic offers complete services at the highest level
FIND YOUR OWN PLACE IN BULGARIA, WITH IMI.BG

All the good properties on one map
A HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS? FIND IT WITH UNIKALNI IMOTI BANSKO!

Nestled at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, Bansko is a hotspot on Bulgaria's tourist map
DENTAL CLINIC DR DOICHINOVA: GENTLE CARE, QUALITY TREATMENT

Dental Clinic Dr Doichinova is a well-established dental centre in Sofia, offering a wide range of services for adults and children
JUST SMILE – WITH ORTHOSMILE

Dr Pavlina Patarinska is one of Bulgaria's top orthodontists
SIMILIYAN STEFANOV, LAWYER: DEDICATION, EXPERTISE, CARE

Highly qualified assistance in resolving private law cases
MAXVIEW PROPERTY: THE EMOTION BEHIND A GREAT DEAL

Veneta Hristova has built a company that is a trusted partner to investors and clients alike
SET UP STUDIO FOR INTERIOR DESIGN: SUSTAINABILITY AND PERFECTIONISM

Founder Violeta Todorova strives to achieve timeless relevance in her projects
CAPITAL PROPERTY GROUP: WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO SUCCESS

Client trust is a natural result of partnering with the company's real estate and financing specialists
IMOTEN CENTER: PROPERTIES WITH LONG-TERM VALUE

With our professional property management service, you can receive 12 months' advance payment

Vibrant Communities

EXPLORE OUR BOOKS

FEATURES

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
DAY OF ST GEORGE BULGARIAN STYLE

Bulgarians celebrate on 6 May because of... ideology

JOKE OF THE MONTH

WE WANT OUR TSATSA!
The residents of Kranevo have risen up in arms, metaphorically, because they felt their sprat was under threat
THE GOSPEL, ACCORDING TO BOYKO BORISOV
It is difficult to translate anything Boyko Borisov says because it usually needs footnote clarifications
OH, DONALD, DONALD, BRAVO TO YOU!
А new song dedicated to Donald Trump is making the rounds on Bulgarian social media
TEN TIMES OVER...
The MPs voted once, twice, thrice, four times... and so on, to the bemusement of Bulgarians who watched TV with increasing frustration
WHO IS AFRAID OF JOHN MALKOVICH?
Оne fine evening several dozen angry Bulgarians gathered in front of the National Theatre in central Sofia. They carried flags and banners

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

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
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

Bulgaria's various regions abound in local Christmas traditions, but nothing compares to this town south of the Balkan mountain range
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

POLITICS

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

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
MARTIN VASSILEV: CLEAN, CLEANER, KÄRCHER

The Managing Director of Kärcher Bulgaria, on growth and responsibility towards nature and clients
IRENE MARIA PLANK

German Ambassador on Bulgarian wine, the Roman ruins of Serdica and the importance of the Digital Services Act
HOPING FOR HISTORY IN FUTURE

German psychoanalyst Andreas Hamburger develops strong bond to Bulgaria
TATYANA DIMITROVA: THE TRIP(S) OF YOUR LIFETIME

The manager of Randevu Travel, has created a travel agency that knows how to organise an enjoyable vacation in Bulgaria and all over the world
GEORGES FERREIRA: THE ART OF BUILDING INDUSTRIES

The General Manager of GFS Engineering, on modern construction of industrial facilities
IS THE ENERGY CRISIS OVER FOR BULGARIA?

Milena Videnova, CEO of Axpo Bulgaria, contemplates the answer
CHRISTINA LUCAS: EMPOWERING WOMEN PIONEERS IN TECH AND INNOVATION

Christina Lucas has been known to Vagabond readers since we introduced her back in 2018
ANELIYA PARICHKOVA'S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

The new star of Bulgarian interior design on the importance of perseverance and childhood dreams

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

VAGABOND VIDEO

The story of Dimitar Paskov, a Bulgarian medical doctor, one of the founders of experimental pharmacology in his country. A child refugee from the Balkan wars of the early 20th Century, Professor Paskov dedicated more than 50 years of his life to medical research and is famous around the world for extracting an ingredient from Bulgarian snowdrops and using it to create "Nivalin" - a revolutionary medication for the treatment of polio, but today also of Alzheimer and other forms of dementia.
MyCentury.tv