Many of them also see it as an antidote to unholy Western influence such as LGBTQ, Halloween and so on. Orthodox traditions and rites have been incorporated solidly in the nation's secular life. Black-clad priests are present at almost all official occasions – from the consecration of public buildings to the blessing of someone's new office and even car. Senior state officials vie to be televised while kissing the hand of some cleric.
1. Who is Bulgaria's current prime minister?
A. Boyko Borisov
B. Rumen Radev
C. Rosen Zhelyazkov
2. For a white Christmas in Bulgaria, you better head to...
A. Bansko
B. Burgas
C. Blagoevgrad
3. For wine tasting, you go to…
A. Montana
B. Melnik
C. Momchilgrad
Whereas in the West it signifies the introduction of Baby Jesus to the magi, in the East it celebrates Christ's baptism by St John in the Jordan river and the simultaneous appearance of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
In Bulgarian traditional culture, Epiphany is known as Yordanovden, or Jordan's Day. It is dedicated to water as a means of physical and spiritual purification – and to everyone male or female who bears the popular first name of Yordan or Yordanka.
I let my ministers attend events with Radev, but they do not want to go.
Boyko Borisov, GERB leader
He's just a friend's kid.
Boyko Borisov on a Wall Street Journal report claiming he met with Donald Trump Jr and offered to sell him shares in the Turkish Stream pipeline in exchange for lifting the Magnitsky Act sanctions on Bulgarians
If someone really believes that we are capable of paying for an article in the Wall Street Journal, he has seriously overestimated us.
1. Which mountain is famed for a cluster of seven lakes?
A. The Strandzha
B. The Rila
C. The Rhodope
2. Which town is known for its old clocktower?
A. Tryavna
B. Tutrakan
C. Topolovgrad
3. Which ancient Thracian tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A. Mezek Tomb
B. Aleksandrovo Tomb
C. Kazanlak Tomb
To reach it you have climbed and climbed and climbed for hours on end, starting from a mountain chalet called Bezbog, or Godless. British expat Tony McMurray, who is a financier, a philanthropist and an avid Vagabond reader, did it, in his successful effort to conquer Bulgaria's 56 highest peaks. You will read more about his climbing odyssey in this journal's next issue, but the challenge now is to guess the name of the mountain summit pictured here. A hint: Not far from Bansko.
1. Mountains take how much of Bulgaria's area?
A. About 30%
B. About 50%
C. About 5%
2. If you travel downstream on the Danube, the first Bulgarian town you encounter will be…
A. Vidin
B. Ruse
C. Silistra
3. Which of these is a spa resort?
A. Velingrad
B. Momchilgrad
C. Ivaylovgrad
Adhering to military protocol, Trump did not disclose any exact whereabouts, leaving the top brass to wonder whether this would not be a historical first, a nuclear superpower standoff triggered by a social media spat. But a local TV station in Bulgaria was quick to produce the answer.
All that was left of Sofia's supposed dream team are the dreams. The rats have abandoned ship. Only the mayor and his banner have remained.
Boyko Borisov, GERB leader, on Sofia's mayor Vasil Terziev
Bulgarian tourism is very reliable in regards to technical maintenance when it comes to inspection and control. This will become clear from the inspections that will be carried out.
The city was cosmopolitan and rather rundown, part Danubian and part post-Ottoman – a place where one could drink a huge Viennese coffee in a brightly lit coffee shop that served both Mitteleuropean cakes and pretzels, and Middle Eastern kataifi and baklava.