FUN

A sober look at the current mess of Bulgarian politics in the aftermath of 12 years of Boyko Borisov may produce some unexpected if slightly idiosyncratic explanations. Perhaps Bulgaria's political parties are where they are at – namely, at each other's throats – not because they really want to "scrape off" each other from the face of the earth but because... the publicists who invented their names badly miscalculated in the first place. If you, as a foreigner, has trouble understanding what the difference between Stand Up! Mafia Out! and Stand Up.BG! We Are Coming! is, do not worry.

Most of these water reservoirs exist to this day, though some are reportedly in a bad state as they have not been maintained for years. The majority are unremarkable, but some are in fact quite serene – and many locals frequent for angling or camping.

The thrust to modernise Bulgaria in the second half of the 20th century was so forceful that the urban and farming planners of the time sometimes relocated whole villages to higher ground to make way for the water.

1. Which historical figure was born in present-day Bulgaria?

A. Napoleon

B. Rameses II

C. Spartacus

2. How many gold medals did Bulgaria win at Tokyo Olympics?

A. 10

B. 3

C. None

3. Which Bulgarian river flows north to south?

A. The Maritsa

B. The Struma

C. The Iskar

As even the most enthusiastic diners in Sofia have discovered, bad restaurants in the capital outnumber good ones. Happily, for more than 15 years now there has been a place in central Sofia where lovers of good food and proper service can feel well – and pampered.

Dignitaries, ministers and even foreign guests were "invited" into the jeep while the Bulgarian prime minster went for a government-provided ride. The video clips were then circulated on social media, attracting a huge number of clicks by both supporters and critics. Eagle-eyed Bulgarians, however, noted there was something wrong with the former prime minister's jeep. Oddly, its number plate was identical to the number plate of an Audi which also belonged to Boyko Borisov's retinue.

As a result of what some Bulgarians refer to as the "unbridled" construction of hotels, resorts and holiday homes – "entombing the Black Sea in concrete" – many of them have been destroyed. If you look at photos of the sand dunes south of Sozopol taken just 15 years ago and compare to the reality of today you will be either angered to tears (if you care for nature and the environment) or reach for your pocketbook (if you are a property developer). Still, some beaches do remain as they once were.

1. What cocktail is a must at a Bulgarian beach?

A. Mint liquor with Sprite

B. Mojito

C. Manhattan

2. Bulgaria's only oil refinery is nearby...

A. Blagoevgrad

B. Bansko

C. Burgas

3. Bulgaria sent more men or women to the Tokyo Olympics?

A. Men

B. Women

C. Equal number

We know who got the loans but we do not know on what conditions. The management continues to withhold this information.

Economy Minister Kiril Petkov on the state-owned Bulgarian Development Bank, which was supposed to finance small and mid-size businesses but lent 3 billion leva to only 20 people

But owing to its topography it is one of the best places in Europe to explore bridges. Bulgaria's bridges are dated from the late Middle Ages, when the Ottomans invaded, to the late 20th century, when the Communists went ahead with sometimes megalomaniacal construction projects. Exploring Bulgaria's bridges and the plethora of stories behind them can easily become one of the highlights of your stay in Bulgaria, especially if you do some bungee jumping from the one pictured here.

Usually made in his inimitable style, a combination of uncouth nativism and broadspeak, they can easily fill up books. Here is a selection of Borisov's most recent public statements, rendered verbatim: