Capital: SOFIA
Bulgaria joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, during the last enlargement before Croatia. The capital, Sofia, has around 1.2 million inhabitants, while the country as a whole has approximately 6.7 million residents. The population is predominantly Bulgarian, with Turkish and Roma minorities. The official language is Bulgarian.
Bulgarian cultural traditions are among the country’s most fascinating aspects. One of the most famous is the Kukeri ritual, an ancient winter ceremony in which men dressed in elaborate costumes and bells drive away evil spirits to ensure fertility and prosperity. Equally remarkable is Nestinarstvo, the ritual fire-dancing recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, practiced mainly in the Strandža region. Equally important are the celebrations surrounding the Damask rose in the Rose Valley, where each spring festivals honor the flower harvest and the production of rose oil, a national symbol of Bulgaria.
Alongside these ancient traditions, Bulgaria is increasingly present on the international festival scene, presenting itself as a meeting point between Balkan heritage and contemporary creativity. The Burgas International Folklore Festival attracts ensembles from around the world, fostering cultural dialogue through traditional music, dance, and costume heritage, while also preserving regional identities from the Black Sea to the Balkan mountains. Equally significant is the Sofia International Film Festival, one of Southeastern Europe’s leading cinematic events, which positions the capital as a hub for auteur and contemporary cinema, welcoming directors, critics, and emerging filmmakers from across Europe and beyond. Other initiatives, such as the Varna Summer International Music Festival – among the oldest in Eastern Europe – and Plovdiv’s cultural programmes following its designation as European Capital of Culture, further expand Bulgaria’s global cultural visibility. Together these events strengthen artistic exchange, encourage new creative collaborations, and present Bulgaria as a bridge between Eastern European traditions and the wider international cultural landscape.
Bulgaria’s four main cities reveal the country’s complexity and cultural richness. Sofia, the capital and one of Europe’s oldest cities, is a mosaic of eras: Roman ruins, medieval churches, and modern architecture coexist within a dynamic urban landscape. Plovdiv, considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enchants visitors with its Roman theatre, historic centre, and vibrant cultural scene. Varna, overlooking the Black Sea, combines tradition and modernity, serving as a major cultural and seaside hub. Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, captivates with its medieval fortress and symbolic role in national history.
