Bulgaria is a country rich in history and culture. It is a strong family orientated society with clear hierarchies between people where respect and honour are given based on age and position within the group. This is reflected in the way meetings may progress slowly as all details are digested and scrutinized before decisions are made. Bulgarians are not deadline oriented and prefer to ensure all aspects of a topic have been covered before moving forward.

Bulgarian is a South Slavic language written using the Cyrillic alphabet. The main religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity with over 80% of the population practicing this faith. Bulgarians are well educated and the standard of living is high. The most popular professions include teaching, health care, engineering, telecommunications and trade. Major industries include mining, metallurgy, oil and gas production, energy, agriculture and light manufacturing. Tourism is also a large part of the economy.

Although the language is similar to Russian, it has distinct differences. Bulgarians use a more formal register in speech with the emphasis on correct pronunciation. This is particularly important for business correspondence and official events. In the past, many Bulgarians were bilingual speaking both Russian and Bulgarian, but this is no longer the case. Many young Bulgarians speak only Bulgarian and English with Russian being used mainly by older people.

Food is a big part of the culture in Bulgaria. The country has a very diverse cuisine, with influences from other Slavic countries, along with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods. Meat dishes are common and there is a good selection of vegetarian options as well.

There are some dishes that are specific to Bulgaria, such as lukanka – a dry-cured and slightly spicy sausage, which is enjoyed thinly sliced with rakia or cheese. Another favourite is kebapche – long, minced meat meatballs with a unique taste due to the addition of cumin. They are served with a cabbage salad and French fries or lyutenitsa.

For dessert, there are a number of different types, including baklava and mekitsa – deep fried simple donuts served for breakfast with powdered sugar or honey. Another popular choice is grilled sirene cheese paired with sweet jams or honey for a salty-sweet contrast. Ayran – a yogurt-based drink diluted with water and salt is commonly paired with these snacks.

Bulgarians are very proud of their heritage and folklore which is passed on to the next generation by babas and dyados (grandmothers and grandfathers). Tales of mythical creatures who bring joy as well as sorrow are a common theme. Bulgarians are also very musical and the gaida, a bagpipe like instrument, is an integral part of the national character. The gaida has been the symbol of Bulgaria for many years and can be heard all over the country. There are various types of gaida, depending on the region. In the Rhodope Mountains, the kaba gaida is popular and in Dobrudzha there is the dzhura gaida.