Like most of the small countries, we are proud of intangible things like centuries of history, strong family ties, ancient legends… Bulgarians, in addition, are proud with their great sense of humor. We are the only country in the world with The Annual International Festival of Humor and Satire which is held in Gabrovo. Gabrovian people are well known for the preservation and enhancement of essential Bulgarian characteristics: conserving and reusing. They do not waste anything in Gabrovo! There, if you can roll up a string around your index finger at least once, save it! It can serve a purpose again.

While recycling is a Bulgarian quality, for Gabrovians it is a way of life. Their wise consumption is a subject of many jokes. Rumors say that some Gabrovians would cut the cat's tail short, so they do not waste energy to heat the house for the time the cat enters or exits the house or that they use a teaspoon with a hole in it for adding sugar to the tea, in order to "save".

Bulgarians proudly admire the beauty of their country. With "the size of a hand-palm" (one of the most popular comparisons for the dimensions of Bulgaria), our land has everything: rivers, mountains, valleys, and seas.

By the way, did you know that Bulgaria produces 97% of the worlds rose oil and all perfumes contain at least a drop of Bulgarian rose oil? In May and June you can drive for miles through rose fields. At this time, thousands of foreigners enjoy the Rose Festival and Rose Products in Karlovo or Kalofer. In Europe our country is known as "The Valley of Roses".

What distinguishes best our nation from any other nation, are our traditions, customs, lifestyle and heritage. Some of them are quite unique. For instance, on the 14th of February, when the rest of the world celebrates Valentine's Day, we have The Wine Festival. It includes ceremonial visiting of vine-growing centers and pruning the vines. On this day we enjoy music, dancing, singing, traditional foods… and drinking wine. It is a non-working day. It is a drinking wine day!

Many other customs distinguish Bulgaria from the rest of the world. On New Years Day, for example, children go from house to house with decorated kernel twigs (Sourvachka), tapping everybody on the shoulder, with wishes for health, long life and success. In exchange the Sourvakaries get treats (fruits, candies, and money). My American husband describes this custom to his friends as, "Kids beat you and you pay them to stop".

Those funny Bulgarians!
They are the only ones in the world that gesture "yes" ( "ДA") by shaking heads from side to side, while all other people's "yes" is nodding up and down! Watch out, up-down motion on Bulgarian means "No" (HE")!
While in America it is common courtesy to call people ahead of time, before visiting them, in Bulgaria you just show up. It is accepted as an indication of close, dear relationship.

I can go on and on, but let me see first if you'd like to know. Just one more thing that may help those who are likely to go to a Bulgarian house by invitation, showing empty handed is impolite. Get a flower, a box of candies, or a bottle of wine for your host. And be prepared to stay there a long, long time- as an indication that you enjoy the hosts' company.

By Daphne Karcheva-Orris

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