BULGARIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE

Before the Bulgarian state was established, a Greek-Roman civilization existed on our lands. In Bulgaria there are a lot of remains of Greek and Roman towns, beautiful sculptures and mosaics. The best preserved of all ancient buildings is the ancient Roman theatre in Plovdiv.

Ancient theatre

The ancient theatre of Trimoncium is situated in the saddle between the two hills Djambaz and Taxim. Built under the rule of Emperor Trayan (beg. of II c.), this is one of the best preserved to the present day ancient theatres in the world.

Its viewing quarter (theatron) is amphitheatrical and is divided into two tiers, each of which consisting of 14 rows of seats carved from marble, divided into sectors by the stairs going down to the stage. The two tiers are divided by a wide horizontal aisle. On the side of the stage, there is a two-storey building called schene, with side wings. Inscriptions and exquisite sculptures have been found, which are now incorporated into the architecture of the building. The ancient theatre had the capacity to gather 5 to 7 thousand spectators. A big part of the building was destroyed at the end of IV c. by a fire or an earthquake, after which 20 of the total of 28 rows of the amphitheatrical theatron remained, and the �schene� fell to the ground. However, due to thorough archeological research a successful restoration was accomplished.

PLISKA

The Bulgarian state was established in 681 by Khan Asparuh, who built Pliska as his capital. The first Bulgarian capital is situated 25 km from today�s town of Shoumen. Its defensive system consists of three concentric layers: earth bank, stone tower wall and inner brick wall.

The earth bank delin4eates the so called Outer city. In close proximity to the outer city a monastery was discovered in which is the biggest church building, the Great Basilica.

OMURTAG COLUMN

The Bulgarian state undergoes a great cultural upsurge under Khan Omurtag (814-831). Under his rule the consolidation of the country was accompanied by peaceful construction. In Pliska a palace was built, the construction of which was marked by the erection of a column, 4 m high, with an inscription on it: �Even though a person may have a good life, he dies and another is born. May the one born after him when

looking at these letters, remembers the one who inscribed them.� Today the column is kept in the St. 40 Martyrs church in Veliko Turnovo. Another monument which dates back to that time is the Madara horseman � an imposing rock monument, which is situated east of the village of Madara, Shoumen district. It is the only of its kind in Europe and is proclaimed by UNESCO a monument of worldwide importance.

THE MADARA HORSEMAN

In the centre of the relief composition a horseman is depicted. He is stabbing with his lancet the lion lying at the feet of his horse. There is a dog running after the horse. It is assumed that the figure portrays Khan Tervel because the composition is supplemented by three groups of inscriptions � chronicles. The uppermost is from the time of Khan Tervel (700-721) and dates back to the 8th c., and the two ones below belong, as follows: the one to the left to Khan Kormisosh (721-738), and the one to the right � to Khan Omurtag.

The whole archeological reserve �Madara� is spotted by a wealth of remarkable evidence of human presence on these lands as early as 4 000 years BC. High inaccessible rocks surround from two sides a not very big and easily guarded plateau. There are a lot of caves, rock formations, lush vegetation � all these have attracted people here since ancient times.

The Madara horseman is part of the National historical and archeological reserve �Madara�. It was once connected with the big cult complex created by Khan Omurtag on the terrace under the rocks, which included a pagan sanctuary, pagan temples, palace, residential and other types of buildings. At the foot of the rocks there is a big cave called the The Cave of the Nymphs, where in ancient times the Thracians did homage to their deities. In the reserve pre-historic cult figures and votive tablets were discovered dedicated to the Three Nymphs, Zeus, Heracles, Dionisius, Kibella, the Thracian horseman-hero Heros, etc.

PRESLAV

The first Bulgarian State experiences its triumph under the reign of Tsar Simeon I the Great (893-927). This is the time of the Golden Age of Bulgarian culture. In the new capital � Preslav � a wonderful palace was built. Famous men of letters worked there like Chernorizets Hrabar, Ioan Exarch, Konstantin of Preslav and many others. Art was booming.

The second capital of the First Bulgarian kingdom is situated on the River Ticha, where at the time of Khan Omurtag a palace and a fortress were built. It was founded by Tsar Simeon at the time when the Bulgarian kingdom is at the height of its political and cultural development.

The fortress of Preslav, like that of Pliska, consists of inner and outer fortification system. The inner fortress is situated almost in the centre of the outer town, it is G-shaped and has round towers at the angles and square ones along the walls.

The palaces were built on a high plateau. Still preserved are impressive remains of a palace complex consisting of two monumerntal buildings: The Big Palace, built from massive stone blocks and the Western Place. The Throne Hall also consists of three parts. All this comes to show the monumental nature and rich architecture of the palaces.

On the high terrace near the palaces of Great Preslav the Golden Church was situated, a remarkable monument of the religious architecture of the First Kingdom and a unique monument of Bulgarian architecture in general.

NESSEBAR

The old town of Nessebar is situated on a small peninsula in the Black Sea, linked to the mainland via a narrow neck. The settlement has aThracian origin. At the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom under Tsar Ivsan Alexander, the town turns into an important centre of the country. Hundreds of anchors, dragged out of the coastal water, reveal its significance as a commercial harbour. During excavations exquisite objects have been discovered, and inscriptions, sculptures and decoration give evidence about the town organization, its cultural institutions and temples. After the establishment of Christianity as an official religion, the image of Nessebar was altered. The biggest early-Christian church is preserved, called the Old Bishopric. According to some sources the number of churches was 41, but only a few have been preserved to the present day. Nessebar falls under Turkish domination in 1453, which was the time when a new architectural treasure appeared in the town for which the latter becomes famous � its old two-storey houses. Their first floor is built from stone, whereas the upper one is covered with planks and bay-windows hanging over the narrow cobbled streets. Also restored are the old fortress wall and the gate through which the town was entered. The town of Nessebar is proclaimed a town-museum.

ASSEN�S FORTRESS

The medieval fortress is situated south of Assenovgrad on a rocky peak on the left bank of the River Assenitsa.The region of the fortress was inhabited both in the Roman and early-Byzantine ages. The first written records mentioning it are found in the Statutes of the Bachkovo Monastery, where it is called the �fortified settlement of Petrich�. During the Middle Ages Assen�s fortress undergoes three periods of construction, the most significant of which is the one under the reign of Tsar Ivan Assen II. An inscription of eight lines above the fortress entrance testifies to the event. In modern times this inscription becomes the reason why the fortress is called Assen�s

Fortress, and the nearby town renamed from Stanimaka to Assenovgrad. Under the heirs of Ivan Assen II the fortress again falls into Byzantine hands, but in 1344 under Tsar Ivan Alexander it is finally incorporated into the Bulgarian state.

TSAREVETS

Another place of interest is the fortress Tsarevets. It is situated near the very centre of the town of Veliko Turnovo � the third Bulgarian capital. It was the major Bulgarian fortress at the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1339). The construction of the fortress, which is preserved today, starts in the 12th c. The fortress has three entrances, the main one being in its west part. In the central part is the Palace Complex, which consists of a number of buildings surrounded by an outer stone wall, two battle towers and two entrances � from the north and from the south. The Palace Complex includes a Throne Hall, a Palace Church and royal chambers. The restoration of the hill of Tsarevets starts in 1930 and is finished in 1981 in honour of the 1300 �year anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian state. The tsars who have ruled there include Peter, Assen. Kaloyan and Ivan Assen II. The most famous tower is Balduin�s Tower, which is erected not far from the place where the south entrance to the fortress of Tsarevets was.

BABA VIDA

From all the rulers� castles which have raised their towers in today,s Bulgarian lands, only one has reached us in its authentic shape � �Baba Vida� in the town of Vidin. One of the most famous legends about the erection of the castle was the one of the three sisters Vida, Gamza and Kula who were the daughters of a powerful Bulgarian boyar.After his death, his daughters divided his possessions among them. The two younger sisters - Kula and Gamza-got married in a hurry. Their husbands were bad men who easily spent the boyar�s inheritance. The eldest sister Vida remained alone during all her life. A castle was built under her guidance and in this castle she lived until her old age successfully guarding her subjects and lands from foreign attacks. As a mark of thankfulness, the people of this region named the castle after her-Baba Vida or Babini Vidini kuli.

After Bulgaria fell under Turkish Domination, Bulgarians stopped building stately castles and towers, but beautiful houses, churches and monasteries which are spread all over the country and are exceptional architectural treasure from the time of the Bulgarian Revival. Built by rich Bulgarians, these solid houses are still in good condition.

Arbanasi

The ancient village of Arbanasi is located on a high plateau with a view towards Tsarevets and Trapezitsa hills. It is famous for its monumental houses and churches with rich interior ornamental decorations, wood-carving and wall paintings. There are lots of revival houses in Arbanasi. They are without any balconies or bow-windows. They have got an outdoor verandah without windows covered by wooden shutters which can be opened towards the garden. With its plain and severe appearance, without any balconies or verandahs, with bars on its windows and strongly bound exterior doors, the Arbanasi�s house impresses with the wealth and luxury of its interior.

The downstairs is made of stone, with vaulted entrances leading to huge stables, cellars and hiding-places.

KOPRIVSHTITSA

Koprivshtitsa is a tiny treasure-town with its remarkable architectural and building monuments from the age of the Bulgarian Revival. In the town which has preserved its original appearance, hundreds of ancient houses are attractively located and together with the fountains, vaulted bridges, cobblestone streets, high stone walls and churches form a kind of an original ensemble. There are 388 architectural historic monuments from the age of the Revival. Fifteen of them are of a national: �Oslekova house�, Lyutova house�, also known as Topalov�s house, the Kableskov�s house, Dimcho Debelyanov�s own home, the house-museum �Georgi Benkovski�, the house-museum � Lyuben Karavelov�, the two churches �St. Nikolai� and �Uspenie Bogorodichno�, the �St. Nikolai� temple, a number of vaulted stone bridges-among the most famous ones are Kalachev�s, Kerekov�s, Peyovski�s bridges.

The Old town of Plovdiv

The old town of Plovdiv is a unique living town system which is built out of archeological objects, museums and galleries with precious exponents, ancient buildings, operative temples with rich paintings, wood-carvings and church plate, schools, old and new residential buildings with romantic yards, as well as picturesque cobblestone streets. The old town of Plovdiv is declared to be an architectural historic reserve.

On the territory of the ancient Three hills (Trihalmie) there are important ancient monuments preserved. Fortresses from different ages rise there.

You may follow the development of the revival residential architecture in the old town of Plovdiv. There are old houses with the characteristics of the Bulgarian

mountain house with an outdoor verandah, asymmetric plan and with plain ornaments. The old town of Plovdiv has received an European gold medal for preserving its historical monuments.

In Bulgaria, there are preserved not Thracian palace ensembles only but also Bulgarian monarchs� palaces which were built after the Liberation from Turkish Domination (1878). They are simple but refined; they were built by famous foreign and Bulgarian architects.

The King�s Palace in Sofia

It was built by the famous Austrian architect Frants Rumpelmayer. Its main entrance was eqxuisitely formed, the offices are located on the first floor, a marble staircase leads to the second one where the visitors can be amazed by a large number of doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The king�s apartment is also there. The palace with its gardens resembles French palaces from ХVІІІ century. Nowadays, the National Art Gallery is located there.

Evksinograd

It is a palace on the Black Sea coast which is built in the style of French Renaissance to be a summer residence of Bulgarian rulers, with a high roof with copper bordering. There are light and spacious rooms in the palace with a sea view. The area of the park is 550 decares and it is enriched with rare plants from all over the world.

Vrana

It is situated 11 km east of Sofia. In its building were involved Zhyul Losho-manager of the French botanic gardens and the Austrian architects Kelerer and Kraus. It was built in 1890 and after that rare trees and plants were planted in its garden. Greenhouses, small lakes and rock-gardens were built. The building is made of marble with Viennese decorated panes and wood-carving.

The Palace in Balchik

It was built in 1924 based on a project by Italian architects covering an area of 350 decares on the Black Sea coast. There are ten villas built in different architectural styles, a Roman summer bath, a mosque with a minaret and a Roman villa; the park is in the Oriental style, there are over 200 sorts of trees and bushes and over 1500 sorts of flowers in it.

This presentation is a small part of our rich architectural heritage. This national architectural and cultural treasure which has gone through, developed, and resisted the ups and downs of life is left by our ancestors. It gives us the right to be proud of our history and to make it known to the other nations. This unique national-architectural heritage obliges us to keep it and to pass it on to the future generations.

CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES

THE RILA�S MONASTERY:The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rilska River. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments.

Bachkovo Monastery in Bulgaria is an important monument of Christian architecture and one of the largest and oldest Eastern monasteries in Europe. It is located on the right bank of the Chepelare river, 189 km from Sofia-the capital of Bulgaria. The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture.

Troyan Monastery is the third largest monastery in Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of the country and was founded no later than the end of the 16th centyry.The monastery is situated on the banks of the Cherni osam near Oreshak and is a popular tourist destination.

The Boyana Church was built in three stages. The oldest section is a small one. It was built in the late 10th and early 11th century.The second section- mid-13th century. The exterior is decorated with ceramic ornaments. The last section was built on donations from the local community in the mid-19th

century.

The St.Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The cathedral's gold-plated dome is 45 m.high, with the bell tower reaching 50.52 m. The temple has 12 bells with total weight of 23 tons.

BULGARIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE Thracians and Romans Bulgaria is famous for being the country with most golden and silver treasures in Europe. The oldest golden treasure in the world- over 3000 items dated back to 6000 B.C. was discovered near Varna � a town on the Black Sea coast.

Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis

The Varna Necropolis from the Copper age which experts qualify as "the world's oldest gold", a trace of "Europe's most ancient civilization" and a key discovery in the world�s prehistory was a sensation. It was excavated about 500m to the north of Lake Varna. More than 3000 golden objects. They are exhibited in the Varna Archaeological Museum and the National Historical Museum in Sofia.

Lukovit Treasure

The Lukovit treasure is a silver Thracian treasure found in 1953 near the town of Lukovit.The treasure consists of three small pitchers, nine phials and a large number of silver appliques, decorated with animal motifs and figures of horsemen. The objects are made of silver but some of the applications are curved with gold.

Panagyurishte Treasure

The Panagyurishte golden treasure is one of the most famous treasures in the world. It consists of 8 objects made of pure gold (about 6 kg) found accidentally near the town of Panagyurishte in the Pazardzhik Province. All of the objects are decorated with scenes from the Thracian myths, customs and life. It is dated from the 4th-3th centuries BC. It is kept in the Plovdiv Archaeological Museum.

Rogozen Treasure

The Rogozen treasure, a collection of sixty-five silver receptacles, was also discovered by chance. On January 6, 1986 a hundred more receptacles were found by the archaeologists of the local museum. The treasure consists of one hundred and eight phials, fifty-four jugs and three goblets. All the objects are silver and some with a golden gilt. Their total weight is twenty kilograms. It dates back to 4th- 5th centuries B.C. and provides us with a lot of invaluable information about the life of the Thracians.

Golden Mask of a Thracian king

Archeologists have discovered a 2,400-year-old golden mask that was likely made for a Thracian monarch's funeral. The mask is a full face with moustache and beard. The rare artifact is made of 600 grams of solid gold. Georgi Kitov and his team found this mask in the summer of 2004 near the village of Shipka.The mask may have belonged to King Seutus III, the Thracian king who ruled in the fifth century.

GREAT BULGARIANS

Khan Asparuh was a Bulgarian ruler. In spring in 681 he established The First Bulgarian Kingdom. During the following years of hardship for The Bulgarian Country, Asparuh managed to repulse every outside threats, expanded our country�s territories and made it one of the most powerful in Europe together with Byzantium and Khazars . Asparuh is considered to be a ruler of crucial importance for Bulgaria and Bulgarians. He stabilized the newly-established country and made it stronger. His contribution was the major factor for the success and prosperity of the country for more than 1300 years.

Khan Krum was a medieval Bulgarian monarch. Under his government Bulgaria had reinforced her positions on the Balkan peninsula and in Europe, due to the great number of victories on the battle ground. Khan Krum started including Slavs in the government of the country and carried out important administrative reforms.He created the first written laws. According to a legend he questioned Avar prisoners of war what led their country to destruction and created his own laws on the basis of their replies. A piece of information about his laws can be found in the Byzantine encyclopedia �Svidas� from 10th century. We have to mark the fact that this was the first time an attempt was made to establish a unified legal system in the country. These laws had to provide equal rights for all Slavs and Bulgarians in the country and remove the bylaws.

Boris І Michael (852 - 907) was a Bulgarian Khan from 852 and a King from 864 to 889. He baptized the Bulgarians. Immediately after the christening a rebellion of the Bulgarian boyars burst out. Their main fears were caused by the Byzantine influence. Boris І crushed the rebellion and ordered the leaders of the rebellion along with all their sons to be executed � they were 52 altogether. The formal christening of the Bulgarian nation was over in 866.

King Simeon I The Great was a monarch who ruled Bulgaria from 893 to 927 during The First Bulgarian Empire. His successful wars against the Byzantine empire and Serbs made Bulgaria the most powerful country in eastern Europe. During his reign Bulgaria

bordered three seas � The White, The Adriatic and The Black Sea. This great period was called �The Golden century� of Bulgarian Culture, Architecture and Arts..

Paisiy Hilendarski (1722�1773) also often called Father Paisiy is a notable clergyman and a leader of the Bulgarian National Revival, the author of �Istoria Slavianobulgarska�. His ideas about national enlightenment and liberation of Bulgarian nation made a lot of scientists point him out as the founder of Bulgarian Revival. He was declared a Saint of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Driven by patriotism and concern about the destiny of Bulgarian nation and language, he revived the glorious Bulgarian past, pointing out the reasons for Bulgarians to pride themselves on their history and language.

St. Cyril and St. Methodius ( the brothers ) they are the creators of the first Slavonic alphabet. They were declared Saints because of the translation of the Holy Bible in old Slavonic language.

Cyril made a new alphabet, which was allocated especially for Slavic/ Slavonic people � the Glagolithic alphabet. This alphabet was made on the basis of Greek and Latin alphabets and considered the specific features of Slavic language. After that both brothers proceeded to the translation of the most necessary for their mission books from Greek and Latin into Slavonic. The creation of the Slavonic alphabet was the most important act of Cyril and Methodius. With this alphabet it was made possible for the Slavonic people to further develop their own language and culture and not to be assimilated by other nations. Their students brought the alphabet to Bulgaria. Due to their efforts, our country soon became the first Slavonic culture center in Europe during the Middle ages and continued spreading Slavic literature and writings to the other Slavonic nations.

Vasil Ivanov Kynchev known as Vasil Levski and The Apostle of Freedom was the idol and organizer of Bulgarian national � liberating revolution and the most loved Bulgarian national hero. Because of the dexterity and bravery people called him Levski ( The Lion ) - according to the legend he made a lion jump during a military exercise. He developed the revolution propaganda among the people and organized patriotic committees for future revolt. On the 27 of December 1872 he was caught by the Turkish police near the Kukrin inn. Levski was hung up on the 18 of February 1873 near Sofia. Now this place is in the center of the town and there stands his memorial.

In 2007 he was chosen as the The Greatest Bulgarian of All Times!

Hristo Botev (1848-1876) was a genius poet, publicist, revolutionary and national hero. He pub-lished many revolutionary newspapers, and his amazing poetry - only 22 poems became classical. Botev set up a detachment and became its voivoda (commander). The point of the detachment was to liberate Bulgaria. But unfortunately he died heroically in a fierce battle with the Turks.

Ivan Vazov (1850 - 1921) was a Bulgarian poet, novelist and playwright. He was born in Sopot, a town in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria. In 1876 he published his first work, �Priaporetz and Gusla�, followed by "Bulgaria's Sorrows" in 1877. There are almost known over 2000 of Vazov�s poems. He was called the patriarch of Bulgarian literature, because he was successful in all styles.

Vazov's 1893 novel Under the Yoke, which depicts the Ottoman oppression of Bulgaria, is the most famous piece of classical Bulgarian literature and has been translated into over 30 languages.

Pencho Slaveikov (1866-1912) was a great Bulgarian poet, innovator, the representative of modernism in Bulgarian literature. He studied philosophy and literature in Leipzig. Since 1898 he was the director of the National Library and National Theatre. He was the only Bulgarian who was nominated for the Nobel�s prize for literature.

Zahariy Zograph (1810-1853) was a Bulgarian national revival painter - an ancestor of profane art of painting in Bulgaria. He created icons and colourful frescos in the churches, but he brought in secular elements in them. He painted mostly portraits.

Vladimir Dimitrov the Master (1882-1960) was an unsurpassable master of the paint-brush, paid attention to the artistic re-creation of national rites and village mode of life. He painted with coloured splashes and pullet paints, and combined cleverly the landscape with portrait. Many of his artistic productions are adorned by foreign picture galleries.

Gena Dimitrova (1941-2005) was a world famous opera singer, she sang on the most famous stages in Europe and in the world. She won many prizes � among them The Golden Verdi in 1987.

Nikolay Ghyaurov (1929-2004) � a famous Bulgarian opera singer, he sang on the stage of Milan � La Scala and on many international stages. He was considered the greatest bass on the Planet.

Boris Hristov (1914-1993) was an outstanding Bulgarian opera singer. In 1942 he left Bulgaria to study singing in Italy, and in 1944 he got into German concentration camp in Austria. After the war he sang in Italian opera theatres and was a soloist of the Milan La Scala.

Vasko Vasilev is a creator and leader on his own group � the quartet �Laureate� in which only owners of international prizes take part. Vasko moves to London and for a year he won a few European prizes, including Nikolo Paganini�s one. As a soloist and artistic director of The British Royal Opera �Covent Garden�, he became the youngest first violinist in the history of the London�s opera orchestra.

Hristo Stoichkov is a Bulgarian footballer and a coach - one of the most famous Bulgarians in the world. He played for CSKA (Sofia), Barcelona, Parma, Chicago Fire and many others. Stoichkov has been pronounced number 1 footballer in Bulgaria 6 times; for number 1 sportsman of Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula. He has won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe and many others prizes and medals.

Stefka Kostadinova is a Bulgarian sportswoman and athlete; a world record-holder in high jump. She has 7 Golden medals from world�s competitions and a European championship. On the 30th of August 1987 Stefka Kostadinova jumped 209sm - a world record which hasn�t been improved till now.

Peter Konstantinov Dunov is a Bulgarian founder of philosophy�s teaching. In Bulgaria his teaching is known under the name of Dunovizm and its followers - Dunovisti. Its teaching became popular in some European countries: France, Russia, Canada, the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, etc.

BULGARIAN HISTORY

The road of the Bulgarians � it was a very long one. Starting from the east

where, neighbouring China, centuries before Christ was born, our ancestors �

the Proto-Bulgarians � used to live. They were mobile, raising thousands of

cattle, famous as prominent warriors. Along their route they settled states of

their own, reaching the Black Sea where on its east coast they founded Great

Bulgaria.

The Byzantium Empire was the neighbour of Great Bulgaria and it entered into

a contract with the Proto-Bulgarian Khan Koubrat. After his death Bulgaria

was conquered by the Hazars.

The fourth son of Khan Koubrat � Khan Asparuh � together with part of the

Proto-Bulgarians set off through the endless plain to the South-west, reaching

the Danube River where a large number of Slav tribes were living.

In 681, after a severe battle with Byzantium, Khan Asparouh founded the

country of Bulgaria. It is one of the first countries in Europe, the only one that

preserved its location and name to this day, and the only one established by

two different ethnic peoples � Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians. Its first capital

became Pliska, where the khans built a strong fortress. In 700-701 Khan

Asparouh got killed during a battle with the Hazars.

Byzantium however was not reconciled with the loss of its fertile territories and

in the course of almost 400 years it often went to war with Bulgaria.

The next Bulgarian rulers were powerful and strong; they consolidated the

new country and expanded its borders.

In 717-718 the Arabs attacked Constantinople but in 718 the Bulgarian army

led by Khan Tervel defeated them. The victory of Khan Tervel stopped the

Arabic invasion of Europe through the Balkan Peninsula and won recognition

and respect as a great Bulgarian ruler. Numerous ballads and plays, glorifying

him as a winner, were written about him.

During the reign of Khan Kroum (803-814) Bulgaria became one of the three

most powerful countries in Europe, along with Byzantium and the Frank

Empire. Khan Kroum captured and killed the Byzantium Emperor Nikiphor II

Gennik, made a golden goblet of his skull and drank a toast for his renowned

victory. Khan Kroum was the first Bulgarian lawgiver.

Royal Prince Boris I adopted Christianity for official religion in Bulgaria in 864.

The Bulgarians became converted to Christianity on the east-Orthodox

model. He was the first Bulgarian saint.

During the reign of his son, Tzar Simeon I the Great (893-927) Bulgaria

bordered on three seas � the White, Black and Adriatic. Simeon was not only

a prominent military commander but he was an outstanding man of letters.

His reign was the Golden Age for the Bulgarian literature and culture. Simeon

entitled himself as a �Tzar of Bulgarians and Greeks� which was indicative for

the political power of the Bulgarian country. The title of Tzar is the Slavonic

transcribing of the title Ceasar�emperor.

During the beginning of XI c. A.D. Bulgarian country became weaker and in

1014 the Byzantium Emperor Vassilius II, called the Bulgarslayer, disastrously

defeated the Bulgarian army led by Tzar Samuil. He ordered that 14 000

captured Bulgarian soldiers should be blinded and one soldier in 100 should

be left with one eye to lead them. When seeing them in such a lamentable

condition, Tzar Samuil had a heart attack and passed away. Bulgaria was

conquered by Byzantium for a period of 180 years.

In 1185, after an uprising, the Bulgarian country was revived by the brothers

Assen and Peter. Tarnovo became the capital of the revived country.

After the death of Assen and Petar, their youngest brother � Kaloyan (1197-

1207) ascended the throne. He defeated the knights-crusaders and captured

their leader � the Latin Emperor Baldwin of Flanders. He was brought to

Tarnovo and locked in a tower in the fortress. The tower was called

Balduinova and is preserved to this day.

Another great Bulgarian Tzar was Ivan-Assen II. With his wise deeds, a series of

contracts and victorious wars against Byzantium he restored the might of

Bulgaria and the country bordered on three seas again.

Bulgarians are proud of their history - Bulgaria was powerful and mighty - a

country of paramount importance in Europe.

Unfortunately at the end of XIV c. Bulgaria was defeated by the Osman Turks.

For five centuries Bulgarians lived under the Turkish dominion. They were

deprived of the right to occupy any state or military positions. They were

paying heavy taxes and were building fortresses, roads, mosques and

palaces for nothing. The Sultan had forbidden the Bulgarians to build big

churches and to celebrate openly their Christian holidays. They were

forbidden to wear bright clothes and to ride horses. That was the most difficult

period in our history.

During the period of Turkish slavery Bulgarians there were a great number of

revolts against the Ottoman empire. The greatest of them all was the April

Uprising of 1876. The Turkish army was sent against the rebels, a horrible

slaughter began, not only against the rebels, but also against the peaceful

Bulgarians. Villages like Batak, for example, still keep the memory of the

bloody revenge in 1876.

The suppression of the uprising raised the indignation of the world community.

A great number of intellectuals like Victor Hugo, Lev Tolstoy, Guiseppe

Garibaldi, Charles Darwin, Dostoevsky, Mendeleev expressed their indignation

of the massacres and compassion to the Bulgarian nation. For the first time in

their new history Bulgarians attracted the attention of the whole world.

The April Uprising provoked the Russian emperor Alexander II in 1877 to

declare war on Turkey which led to the liberation of Bulgaria and the

establishment of the new Bulgarian country. Bulgarians call the Russian

emperor Tzar Liberator. A treaty of peace setting the beginning of the new

country was signed on 3rd March 1878. That is the national holiday of Bulgaria.

The new Bulgarian country developed democratically. It was a parliamentary

monarchy. It made wars with its neighbor countries � Greece, Turkey, Serbia

and Romania � for its establishment. It participated in both World Wars on the

side of Germany. A communist take-over was committed after the Soviet

Troops� invasion of Bulgaria in 1944.The new government started a war

against fascist Germany.

On 15th September 1946 the country was proclaimed to be a People�s

Republic. The communist party took the power and imposed totalitarian

domination. By the beginning of the 1950s Stalin model of socialism was

compelled in the country. After Stalin�s death fictitious changes occurred. In

1962 Todor Zhivkov was elected Prime Minister and he imposed his

monocracy until 10th November 1989 when totalitarianism was brought to an

end.

After 10th November 1989 Bulgaria started to develop as a democratic

country, a new democratic constitution was accepted, according to which

the country is a parliamentary republic. Democratic elections were

conducted. Bulgaria became a member of NATO and since 1st January 2007

it has been a member of the European Union.

BULGARIAN NATURE

With its unique variety and amazing beauty Bulgarian nature is a real phenomenon rarely known to men. On the small territory of Bulgaria a lot of plains and lowlands are situated, branchy kettles and breezy valleys, beautiful mountains, mighty peaks, unique stone phenomenons. The water wealth of Bulgaria is not big, but very various � rivers, lakes, the Black Sea and the Danube. Rivers have made pictorial caves, formed beautiful waterfalls and landscapes.

Because Bulgaria is near Asia and Africa it is formed as a country with 3 bio-geographic regions � Mediterranean, Euro-Asian steppe and Central - European forests. The net of protected areas in Bulgaria is one of the most complicated in Europe. 5.1% of Bulgarian

territory is protected area and according to this Bulgaria occupies the third place in Europe after Norway and Finland.

Mountains

The Rila Mountain is the biggest on the Balkan Peninsula. The landscape was created 12 000 years ago. It is extremely beautiful and full of springs. Here are described more than 100 species which participate in the Red Book of Bulgaria (a book with all threatened with extinction species).

The seven Rila lakes are one of the most visited places in Rila Mountain and Bulgaria. Their height is from 2095 to 2635 m, with many rivers and springs which make lots of beautiful waterfalls. These lakes are real diamonds in the crown of our nature.

The Pirin Mountain is one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. At the foot of the mountain you can feel the Mediterranean climate, but 1500 m higher the temperatures are completely different. In 1983 Pirin was declared to be part of the national heritage of UNESCO. Pirin has beautiful peaks, deep lakes, foamy rivers and lots of caves.

Trigrad gorge � it is located in the Rhodope Mountains and is one of the most beautiful gorges in Bulgaria. It is made of big marble walls reaching up to 350 m , through which The Trigrad River flows. It seems as if the two walls would meet at some place and block the river�s way.

Stara Planina is the longest mountain in Bulgaria - about 550 km. It is also known as the Balkan mountain from where the name of the Balkan peninsula comes. To preserve the treasures that the mountain has a lot of reserves and a national park were created (about 18). The mountain offers a lot of beautiful places to visit. More than 20 endemic creatures live here.

Waterfalls

The biggest waterfall in Bulgaria � �Raisko pruskalo� (125m) is located in Stara Planina. There is an area near the waterfall called �Rai� (Heaven) because of its beauty. These two places are a real attraction for everyone.

Unique waterfalls of the ten lakes near �Krushuna�.The lakes are surrounded by tiny rapids co-vered with foam. Because of their magnificence a lot of movies and commercials are recorded there.

Caves

Magura is the most popular cave in Bulgaria. Decorations of the cave are the fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, and countless little lakes. The cave has a constant temperature, we can see there several kinds of bats. Bones of the Great Bear, wild horses and artifacts from prehistoric homes 12 000 years ago were found here. On the walls there are pictures, which portray hunting stages, dancing women, suns, stars, plants. Especially valued is the solar calendar, created with high accuracy.

Devil throat (Dyavolskoto garlo) - its formation is a result of falling through stratum. It is 90m deep and 480m long. It is named like that because it literally "engulfs" the foamy Trigrad river. One of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe (42m) is situated here. The legend said that Dyavolskoto garlo is the entrance to underground kingdom of Hades and exactly here Orpheus descended to save his loved Euridice.

Yagodinska peshtera is the lowest-situated cave in Bulgaria famous for its magnificent decoration. The visitor is amazed by its incredible forms, lovely lakes and stone roses.

ROCK FORMATIONS

In the east Rhodopes is the most beautiful natural phenomena in Bulgaria - The Wonderful Bridges. Named like that because of the wonder of their eternal beauty. They comprise great marble arches along the riverbanks, of the river Dalboki dol. The place around them is pine-clad.

Belogradchishki skali - these are fantastic rock formations, about 200m high, which form different figures. They look like castles, people, animals, arches, towers, temples, bridges, giant mushrooms. Back then in 1841 the French traveller Jerom Blanki wrote that: "neither famous narrow passages in Provans, neither defile Pankarbo in Spain, neither Pirinei, neither Alps, neighter glorious mountains in Switzerland possess something which can be compared with Belogradchishki skali.

"Melnishki pyramids - they are well-known earth pyramids in Bulgaria, at the foot of the Pirin mountain. The incredible stone figures of mushrooms, peaked dome, pyramids, cones, needles, roofs of Gothic temples, ships are world-famous and the most visited natural beauty spot in Bulgaria.

THE ROSE VALLEY Bulgaria is called the "country of roses". It is because of the Rose valley, where the rich of volatile oils Bulgarian rose is grown. Every year the world of cosmetic industry needs 2 t. of rose oil and Bulgaria produces 80% of it.

Geography of Bulgaria

Borders of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a country situated in south-eastern Europe, bordering Romania, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea.

The western and northern boundaries are shared with Serbia and Romania, respectively,and the Black Sea coastline constitutes the entire eastern border.The Romanian border follows the Danube for 464 km from the northwestern corner of the country.Borders to the south are with Greece and Turkey,the border with Greece being 491 kilometres long,and the Turkish border having a length of 240 kilometres.

The land area of Bulgaria is 110,910 square kilometers. Considering its small size, Bulgaria has a great variety of topographical features. Even within small parts of the country, the land may be divided into plains, plateaus, hills, mountains, basins, gorges, and deep river valleys.

Climate

Considering its small area, Bulgaria has an unusually variable and complex climate. The country lies between the strongly contrasting continental and Mediterranean climatic zones. Bulgarian mountains and valleys act as barriers or channels for air masses, causing sharp contrasts in weather over relatively short distances. The continental zone is slightly larger, because continental air masses flow easily into the unobstructed Danubian Plain.

The Danubian Plain

The Danubian Plain extends from the western borders to the Black Sea. It encompasses the area between the Danube River, which forms most of the country's northern border, and Stara Planina to the south. The plateau slopes gently from cliffs along the river, then it abuts mountains of 750 to 950 m. The plateau, a fertile area with undulating hills, is the granary of the country.

Stara Planina

Stara Planina originates at the Timok Valley in Serbia and runs southward towards the Sofia Basin in west central Bulgaria. From there they run east to the Black Sea. The Balkans are about 600 km long and 30 to 50 km wide. They retain their height well into central Bulgaria, where Botev Peak, the highest point in the Balkan Mountains, rises to about 2,376 m.

The Upper Tracian Plain

The Upper Thracian Plain constitutes the northern part of the historical region of Thrace. It is located in southern Bulgaria, between the Sredna Gora mountains to the north and west; the Rhodopes, Sakar and Strandzha to the south; and the Black Sea to the east. A fertile agricultural region, the Upper Thracian Plain proper has an area of 6,032 km² and an average elevation of 168 m.

Rilo-Rhodope Massif

Relatively high mountains occupy the area between the Thracian Plain and Sofia Basin and the Greek border to the south. The western parts consist of three ranges: the Vitosha Mountain south of Sofia, the Rila Mountains further south, and the Pirin Mountains in the southwestern corner of the country. They are the most outstanding topographic feature of Bulgaria and of the entire Balkan Peninsula. The Rila range includes Mount Musala, whose 2,925-metre peak is the highest on the Balkan peninsula. About a dozen other peaks in Rila are over 2,600 meters.

Winter holidays in Bulgaria

Like most ancient people our Slav ancestors divided the year according to the movement of the Sun and the Moon. The Sun which gives light and warmth and influences nature and man in a crucial way served for measuring time. Bulgarian people consider winter as lasting from Dimitrovden (26th October) to Gergyovden (6th May) and spring from Gergyovden to Dimitrovden.

Nikulden is one of the greatest winter holidays which is definitely family � centered. It is on 6th December and is an Orthodox celebration of Saint Nicolas � the patron of sailors, travellers and bakers. Different kinds of fish dishes are served on the festive table but the most traditional of all is a stuffed carp.

On 20th December we celebrate Ignazden. It is a winter holiday preceding Christmas. The days from Ignazden to Christmas are known as �Machnici�(Labour Days). The name is connected with the days of labour pains of the God Mother. The superstition goes that women shouldn�t work during these days. Ignazden is also called �Polazvane� because it is believed that the good or bad character of the first guest to enter the house that day determines how good or bad the next year will be. That day honours the memory of Saint Ignatius.

Christmas Eve is on 24th December and is one of the most important family holidays. It is dedicated to the home and the fireside and in some parts of Bulgaria is also known as the �Small Christmas�. The tradition has it that before the festive table is laid on Christmas Eve, the householder should set a special log called �Badnik� on fire and should say special wishes while doing that: �The more sparks in the fire, the more chickens, lambs and calves in this home�. Only meatless dishes are served on the festive table that day and their number has to be no less than 7, 9 or 12. A small round bread(called �pitka�) is also prepared with a coin hidden in it which will bring luck to the one who is the first to find it. The special dishes are left on the festive table the

whole night not to scare luck away. It is believed that when the whole family falls asleep, its deceased mambers come to have dinner. At midnigth on Christmas Eve Christ is born and carol-singers will come to every house. Traditionally the carol-singers are young lads who are old enough to be married. They are led by the so-called �Stanenik�. Dressed in their best clothes, covered up with a special cloak called �jamurluk�, with fur caps on their heads decorated with box-tree branches, popcorn on red strings, dried plums and figs the carol-singers visit every house in the village. Their leader (the stanenik) pronounces blessings on the family and the house, then the whole band sings songs for each family member. The householders give a lot of presents to the Christmas band � special ritual breads (called �kolaci�), small change, meat, bacon, flour, beans, onion, wine and walnuts.

The New Year is welcomed and celebrated on 31st December. Decorated cornel-tree sticks called �survaknitsi� are prepared for the children. The housewife makes the traditional �banitsa� (cheese pastry) with cornel-tree buds and a coin in it. At midnight the oldest member of the family spins round the banitsa and everyone gets a share of it with a bud or the coin as special lucks.

The first of January is celebrated as the first day of the new year. The most important custom is �survakaneto� and that is why that day is called �Survaki�. The children visit all houses with their survaknitsi and say special wishes and blessings- �May this house be full of children, may your purse be full of money, may your shed be full of cattle�.

The first of January is also a Religious Holiday: Saint Vasilii the Great and that is why the day is known as Vasiliovden. On that day a special custom called �Laduvane�(rings dipping) is performed. The rings of the maids are dipped into a white copper filled with the so-called �malchana voda� � it means water which the maids have fetched from a spring or a river without saying a word. Then the copper is covered with a red cloth and is left in the garden during the night before Vasiliovden. On the first of January a little girl takes out the rings singing blessings for happiness and marriage.

Jordanovden also called Bogoiavlenie is another holiday connected with the well-known belief that the previous night �the sky opens� and whatever you wish will come true. It is on 6th January and a special water dedication ceremony is performed. After the church service the priest throws the cross in the river and it is taken out by young lads. It is believed that the first one to do that will be happy and healthy. He goes round the village with the cross and everyone give him presents. There is superstition that if the cross freezes, the year will be healthy and fertile.

In Bulgaria the customs on Ivanovden are connected with the power of the sanctified water. That holiday is dedicated to John the Baptist. It is celebrated on 7th January and everyone turn their eyes to the future wishing good health, fertility and happiness.

In the Bulgarian customs calendar the day after Ivanovden is dedicated to the �babata�(the granny who is the village midwife), the children and the young mothers. �Babinden� is celebrated on 8th January and �babata� has to visit all houses where there is a new born baby, give the babies a bath and wash and spread some honey and butter on the faces of the older kids.

The Orthodox Church also honors the memory of the Reverend Antonii the Great and 17th January is known as Antonovden. It is celebrated as a way of protection against diseases. Special small round soda breads are given away to relatives and neighbours with wishing for good health.

Church honors the memory of Saint Atanasii and Cyril Alexandriisky but in the folk believes Saint Atanasii is presented as the Master of snow and ice. The holiday is celebrated on 18th January when it is believed that Saint Atanasii, dressed in a silk shirt, goes to the mountain on his white horse and calls out: �Go away, winter. Come here Summer�. That is why the holiday is also known as �Sredi zima� (Midwinter). Both Atanasovden and Antonovden are celebrated as patronal festivals of blacksmiths, ironmongers and cutlers.

Saint Trifon is considered the guardian of vineyards and his memory is honored on 1st February. The day is known as �Trifon Zarezan� and is famous for its ritual cutting of vineyards which reminds of the coming spring and the beginning of agricultural work.

The first of March is the day when, as the ancient Bulgarian custom demands, we welcome symbolically spring and �Baba Marta� ( Granny Marta) who visits peoples and crops dressed in a red tunic called �sukman�, with a red head cloth (zabradka) and a red woolen socks. The white wool in the typically Bulgarian �martenitsa� promises long life and the red one- health and strength. Martenica is carried in the end of winter when life forces are running low. The tradition goes that you have to carry your �martenitsa� until you see a swallow, a stork or a blossoming fruit tree where you have to hang it.

State School of Finance and Management INTELLECT - Pleven

History

State School of Finance and Management �Intellect� was set up in Pleven in 1990 by its first director Mrs Nina Miteva. At present it is headed by Emil Raikov

It is a vocational school with economic bias and intensive study of foreign languages and provides training in eight specialities to students from the 8th to the 12th grade.

Students

Over 90 % of the school-leavers continue their education in universities in this country and abroad � most often Germany, the USA or Great Britain.

Teachers

The general and vocational subjects are taught by qualified teachers who rely on innovative and interactive methods in their approach to the syllabuses as well as in the extra-curricular activities.

Educational programmes

Successful work has been done within the framework of the educational programmes of the European Union � �Leonardo da Vinci�: �Communication Systems in Management Today� project (2004) and � Staff Management in Small and Medium Business� (2006); �Socrates�, � Comenius�: �Festivals and Holidays in Europe�, and �Junior Achievement�,

The Students Company

The Students Company �Junior Achievement�, which has been in operation since 1998, was transformed into a vocational-training firm, whose members have remarkable achievements in the field of advertising, public speaking, and business ethics at national and international competitions and conferences.

The device

Staff and students are open for new ideas, partners and opportunities, which can motivate young people to fulfill the device

�It�s for life, not for school that we prepare�.

Bulgarian folklore regions

Bulgarian music is a part of Bulgarian culture and Balkan music.It has specific, different sound.Bulgarian music is popular all over the world.There are six folklore regions � Dobrudja, Thrace, Pirin, Sofia region - Shopluk, the Rhodopes and North Bulgaria- Moesia.

The first folklore region is Dobrudja region which covers the northeastern part of Bulgaria.Two folklore styles are most typical in Dobrudja region: Trakiyski and Balkandjiyski(Balkan).Oneof the peculiarites of this region is the song associated with harvest time, rich in ornaments.A specific feature of the Dobrudja region is the creation of a new, typical only for this area instrumental style, performed by playing the gadulka,kaval and gayda.Dobrudja region is famous for the dance melodies such as �ruka�, �sboreni�, �ruchenitsa� and the most popular folk dances are �Ruka�, �Dantes�, �Paydushko�.

The second folklore region whose music is similar to the folk music in Dobrouja folklore region is the Moesia region.Here in Northern Bulgaria, folk music is also a mix of the folk music of the other regions.Only in northwestern Bulgaria can we find the wealthiest collection of folk dances, accompanied by musical instruments. Old-time local rich rhythms are played together with assimilated from the neighbours melodies - Serbs in the West and Vlachs in the North..Typical for this region are old wedding songs and original songs associated with harvest. Therefore the folk music and especially dances of this region have many varieties. They are temperamental and brisk with very complicated steps and figures. (Sitno Vlashko horo)

The third area is Pirinski region. Pirin mountain is very beautiful. The Pirin folk songs are varied in style, because there were great migrations in these areas in the past, but here we can find all kinds of songs characteristic of Bulgarian culture. The most popular and favorite folk songs in the region are the songs associated with harvest and harvest festivals. These songs are also associated with bantering and courting

and are extremly playful and full of joy, humour and wit.A typical folk dance in this region is the so called �Macedonian horo�. The most famous song is �Macedonian little girl�.

Next region is the Rhodopes area. The songs are slow, full of pain and sorrow, full of sensuality and mysticism.The folk songs in the Rhodopes region are performed by both men and women.Wedding songs are considered as the most emotional ones.Only a few musical instruments are used in the Rhodopes region - kaba gayda(fine bagpipe), tamboura (mandoline) and kaval. The existence of copper shepherd's bells, called chanove, whose ringing resembles the delicate melody of the Rhodope tambura is also characteristic for this region only. The Rhodopes horos are danced gracefully, widely and with emphasized steady steps. Squatings and kneelings are important part of the dances. One of the most famous songs in Bulgaria and all over the world is �Izlel e Delio haidutin� by Valia Balkanska.

Thracian region is regarded as one of the largest folklore regions in Bulgaria. Beautiful, peaceful, rich in variety are thracian songs.The songs are powerful, natural and open.Most typical for this region are Chistmas carols. Christmas songs in this region are full of joy and happiness. In the southeastern part of the region is Strandja. Its music has a connection with the Thrace folklore but it also has its own local colour. The ancient ritual "fire-dancing" � dancing on the live coals during St. Constantin and Elena celebration has been preserved in Strandja.

In temper, behavior and language, as well as in customs the �shopi�-people who live in Sofia region are quite different from the people in the other regions in Bulgaria.The folk songs of Sofia region include different styles:old-time songs, songs associated with social gatherings, with harvest.Most variable and rich in structure are the songs with emotional texts. Sofia region�s songs are full of rich ornaments and melodic fragments. The�shopi� dance is light, lively and it looks as if the dancers were not touching the ground. Shops� folk dances don�t have an equivalent in the country. These are the most brisk and temperamental dances that could be seen on the whole Balkan Peninsula. They start in slow tempo. Little by little the tempo grows up and soon it reaches its maximum. Dancers cry out "Hold on, Earth, shop is treading on you" ...