Bulgaria is a country of many traditions and customs. Despite its relative youth as a country, it has a rich history and is home to many ancient sites. One of the most important Bulgarian traditions is Easter. Preparing for it is a time-honored tradition that involves dyeing eggs and preparing special dishes. The egg is a symbol of fertility and it is believed that anyone who sees a full-blown egg will have good luck throughout the year. In addition to eggs, ham, sausage, honey and cheese are also popular food items during Easter.

In general, Bulgars tend to be a very family oriented people. They are very respectful and honourable of their elders and a strong sense of social hierarchy exists. This reflects in their behaviour towards each other and with guests. People of senior age are greeted first and may be accorded with titles or given the best seat at the table. People with higher positions in their workplaces are expected to be leaders and mentors to those below them.

Meetings with Bulgarians will often take longer than anticipated as they like to make sure that they cover all the bases and are fully up-to-speed on the topic at hand. It is therefore best to be patient and not try to rush things. It is also recommended to avoid expressing sarcasm or humour during meetings as this will be taken very seriously.

Although Bulgarians are quite relaxed in their personal interactions, there is a high standard of etiquette when it comes to business and formal affairs. It is a good idea to always bring a card and a bottle of wine or spirits when visiting a bulgarian’s home. If you choose to give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums, lilies or gladiolas as they are traditionally used at funerals. Also, only give an odd number of gifts.

A very large proportion of the Bulgarian population identifies as Christian. The country has a long history of being an Orthodox Christian nation and it is estimated that about 75% of the population are believers. Although Bulgarians respect all religions and do not discriminate, they are especially fervent when it comes to their own beliefs. They believe that the foundations of their religion were established by the Apostles Peter and Paul. They also hold that Jesus’ death and resurrection are the cornerstone of Christianity. For this reason, they regard their Orthodox Church as the most authentic in the world. This explains why they have such high levels of church attendance. They also have a very unique style of religious art and are very proud of their heritage. This is evident in the large number of Bulgarian icons in their churches and in the many museums and galleries dedicated to their art. There are also a number of religious festivals celebrated in the country throughout the year. The most important is the Easter festival, which takes place on the Sunday following Palm Sunday. The holiday includes a procession with an icon, and a meal of vegetarian stuffed peppers and cabbage leaves sarmi.