Marriage and Family

The average age for women to marry is between 18 and 25. Men tend to marry when somewhat older. A church wedding often follows the legal civil ceremony, and a large reception, which often involves folk music and dancing, is held in the evening. Wedding traditions include pinning money on the bride’s dress to represent future prosperity, the groom serenading the bride at her home, and the couple pulling on opposite ends of a loaf of bread—whoever gets the largest piece will be the boss of the family. Honeymoons are a new tradition.

The principle of mutual support is valued in the Bulgarian family. The elderly are often cared for by their adult children. Unmarried adults live with their parents and many newly married couples live with one set of parents until they are able to get housing of their own. Most families in urban areas live in apartments, which are in short supply, while families in rural areas usually have their own houses. Many village houses are owned by families who live in urban areas, who use them for summer and weekend retreats, or for retired parents.

Most families in urban areas do not have more than two children, while families in rural areas tend to be larger. Grandparents play an important role in child care, particularly in urban areas, where most women work outside the home. Men of the younger generation have begun to help with household duties, once considered only women’s responsibility.

Eating

Pork and lamb are the most common meats, and dairy products such as yogurt and cheese figure prominently in the diet. Popular main meals include moussaka, a dish made with minced meat, potatoes, onions, and yogurt; and nadenitsa, which is stuffed pork sausage. Kufteta is a fried meat patty mixed with bread crumbs. Sarmi is grape leaves or cabbage stuffed with pork and rice. Grilled meat (skara), such as shishcheta (skewered lamb), is very popular, especially in restaurants. Shopska is a salad made with Bulgarian cheese (called cerene), cucumbers, and tomatoes. A favorite cold soup is tarator, which includes cucumbers, yogurt, garlic, dill, walnuts, and oil. Cheese banitsa (a layered pastry) is eaten as a snack or for breakfast. Popular desserts include pumpkin banitsa; cakes; and baklava, a thin, leafy pastry with a syrup and nut filling. Coffee is usually either espresso or Turkish style, which is strong and usually sweetened. Meals are usually accompanied by a soft drink, alcohol, or coffee.

Breakfast is usually light: coffee, a cheese-filled pastry, toast, or bread rolls. Traditionally, the main meal is eaten in the middle of the day and consists of soup, salad, a main course, and dessert. But many people now have a lighter lunch and eat their main meal in the evening, usually after 7 pm. Meals are considered an important time for conversation.

Socializing

When meeting someone, Bulgarians usually shake hands. Formal greetings include Kak ste? (“How are you?”) or Zdravaite (“Hello”). The informal equivalents, Kak si? and Zdrasti or Zdrave (“Health”), are used among friends, relatives, and colleagues. Other phrases include Dobro utro (“Good morning”), Dober den (“Good day”), Dober vetcher (“Good evening”), or Leka nosht (“Good night”). Close female friends might kiss each other on the cheek. First names are used in informal circumstances. Otherwise, professional titles or Gospodin (“Mr.”), Gospozha (“Mrs.”), or Gospozhitsa (“Miss”) and family names are used. When parting, it is common to say Do vizhdana (“Till I see you again”). Friends might also say Vsichko hubavo (“All the best”) or Ciao (“Goodbye”).

“Yes” is indicated by shaking the head from side to side, and “no” is expressed with one or two nods of the head. In a line or crowd, physical contact is common and accepted. Bulgarians often touch while conversing, and female friends might walk arm-in-arm down the street.

Socializing in the home or in cafés is an important part of Bulgarian life. Friends and neighbors commonly drop by for a short visit without prior arrangement, and Bulgarians often invite friends over for dinner. In some homes guests are expected to remove their shoes upon entering; slippers may be provided. Evening visits usually start after 8 pm and may last late into the night on special occasions. Bulgarians take pride in being hospitable and enjoy good conversation; it is considered rude to leave early.

Recreation

Skiing, soccer, and basketball are popular in Bulgaria. Many people also enjoy walking or touring the countryside. In August many go to the Black Sea beaches or the mountains.

Bulgarians greatly enjoy folk dancing and music, and festivals held throughout the year highlight various aspects of traditional Bulgarian culture. In cities, the performing arts (ballet, opera, and classical music) have generally been well supported, and even small towns have a local theater. Other popular leisure activities include watching television and going to the cinema. Young people enjoy various types of popular music, including rock, disco, and folk.

Holidays and Celebrations

Public holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), National Day of Freedom and Independence (3 March), Labor Days (1-2 May), the Day of Bulgarian Culture and Science (24 May), and Christmas Day (25 December). On 24 May, in addition to celebrating the country’s accomplishments in science and culture, Bulgarians honor Saints Cyril and Methodius for developing the Cyrillic alphabet. Name days (the feast days of the saint after whom one is named) are celebrated with a family meal.

It is traditional to eat fruits and vegetables rather than meat on Christmas Eve, in order to celebrate the harvest and ensure that the next one will be prosperous. On New Year’s Day, families enjoy a large meal and exchange presents. Children go door to door wishing good fortune to friends and relatives, carrying with them a survachka (a small, decorated stick), with which they touch the people they visit in exchange for candy and money.

At the beginning of March, Bulgarians traditionally exchange martenitsa, red-and-white yarn designs that symbolize luck and happiness. The martenitsa is worn on the clothing until a swallow is seen. It is then hung on a branch or hidden under a rock to welcome spring and to symbolize the hope that the evil spirits will go to sleep.

Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas

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