a native or inhabitant of Bulgaria, a country on the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Bulgarian is the official language of the country, but many people also speak Turkish (another Turko-Altaic language) and Romany (an Indo-European language). The main religion is Christianity, primarily Orthodox Christianity. Bulgarians are generally quite conservative and politically right-leaning, but they also value a healthy work-life balance.
In general, Bulgarians are a polite people. They greet people with a handshake and often make eye contact. They tend to avoid direct criticism, but they will readily offer opinions and help. Bulgarians are also very generous and will give gifts to strangers without being asked.
Most Bulgarians are very patriotic, and they proudly display the national flag and coat of arms on their cars, clothing, and homes. They also have a strong sense of family, and they value family gatherings. Many families live in rural areas, and grandparents play a significant role in the care of children. The family structure is more nuclear than in the United States. Parents may play a more active role in their children’s lives, or they may allow their teens some independence and freedom from parental control. Teenagers typically will communicate directly with their parents and will express emotions, even negative ones, fairly freely.
Meals in Bulgaria are often eaten separately, based on the schedules of individual members of the family. For example, lunch might be taken at a cafeteria while dinner is served in the home. In the latter case, a variety of Bulgarian foods will be served.
Some meals are linked to specific celebrations, such as stuffed peppers and cabbage leaf sarmi for Christmas Eve; fish is served for Nikulden, St. Nicholas Day, on December 6; and roast lamb is prepared for Gergyovden, St. George’s Day, on May 6. Meals are often consumed at a mehana, a Bulgarian restaurant, where folk music and dancing is common.
The Bulgarian cuisine is diverse, and it includes both Mediterranean and Central European elements. Bread, cheese, and yogurt are very common ingredients in Bulgarian cuisine. Bulgarians also eat a lot of vegetables and meat. Meat-based dishes are popular, including moussaka and nadenitsa, a dish of stuffed pork sausage.
One of the most popular drinks in Bulgaria is rakia, a strong grain liquor that can be made at home or purchased in local bars and restaurants. It is available in several fruit flavors, such as plum and apricot, and can be found in juices and mixed drinks as well. A variety of beers is also produced in Bulgaria, such as the lagers Zagorka and Kamenitza. The country is also known for its wines, such as the Merlots from Samokov and Melnik. There are also some very good sparkling wines, such as the Rieslings from Melnik and the Cabernet Sauvignon from Varna. In addition, a large number of fruit-flavored mineral waters are produced in Bulgaria. These are usually bottled and sold in supermarkets, although some are also available as soft drinks at restaurants.