The land of roses, Bulgaria, is a small country of ancient culture, scenic beauty, friendly people, hospitality and warmth. Bulgaria is situated in south-eastern Europe. It occupies the central part of Balkan Peninsula on both sides of the Balkan Range (the Balkans), from which the peninsula has taken its name. The greater part of the northern border with Romania passes along the Danube, and the eastern border is the Black Sea. The land borders with Yugoslavia and Macedonia to the west, with Turkey to the south-east, and with Greece to the south.
Bulgaria is small in size but filled with ancient culture, scenic beauty and friendly people famous for their hospitality and warmth. You will be astonished by its gorgeous natural beauty, lovely quaint villages and first class resorts.
In winter you can enjoy picturesque snowy mountains offering all facilities for winter sports. During the long, warm summer the Black Sea Coast invites you to its cozy beaches with extremely fine sand.
Bulgaria has an incredible cultural heritage. Georgi Kitov, the archeologist, referred to as the Bulgarian Indiana Jones, made a series of sensational discoveries in August of 2004, shedding light on one of the oldest European cultures - the Thracian. The Thracians inhabited the territory of present-day Bulgaria - 3200 years before the birth of Christ and remained there until the 4th century AD. They took part in the Ancient Troy War and left indelible signs of their culture on our land and our people.
Further, Bulgaria has around 600 natural mineral springs, with water temperatures ranging from 20 to 60 degrees Celsius, whose baths and health spas are famous tourist attractions.
Bulgaria is especially proud of its rich folklore traditions. Folk dances, music, historic national costumes and traditional rituals have an important place in the life of all Bulgarians. Being deeply connected to horses from medieval times some of the traditions put a central place of the horse in the life of the Bulgarian.
One such tradition are the horse racing during the Bulgarian holiday Todorovden (the Day of St Theodore), also known as Horse Easter.
According to traditions, the fastest and best-looking horse in the race is decorated with wreaths and heads first to the village, where a lass or a newly-wed woman is expecting it. In the house of the horse's owner a celebration starts and women bake and give ritual loaves, named "horse" or "hoof", the dough shaped like a horse or a hoof.
The celebrations of the holiday are a mixture of Orthodox religious beliefs and pagan rituals and horse races are held all over the country on the day.