Issue 185

Giuseppina Zarra

ITALIAN AMBASSADOR GIUSEPPINA ZARRA

Giuseppina Zarra is no novice to the Balkans. She is one of the rare breed of diplomats who have made a comeback to Sofia after her initial spell here in the 1990s. Then she served as a first secretary, now she is the host of Italy's palatial embassy on Ruski Boulevard, in the middle of Bulgaria's capital. Zarra's love affair with Bulgaria ranges from literature to music and from history to exploring the hidden treasures of Sofia.

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:59
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boyana church sequoia

BULGARIA'S REDWOODS

Bulgaria may be famous for many things but sequoias is apparently not one of them. Think again. If you know where to look you will discover a number of wonderful redwoods that will make your head swirl: Am I in the Sierra Nevadas, the natural habitat of the world's largest and tallest trees, or am I in the eastern Balkans?

The curious case of Bulgaria's sequoias started in the late 19th century when a few enthusiasts imported redwood seeds and planted them in various locations, mainly for aesthetic purposes.

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:40
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joke of the month

OLD IS NEW, AND VICE VERSA

The leaders of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, or BSP, Kornelia Ninova; of Yes Bulgaria, Hristo Ivanov; and of Democratic Bulgaria, or DB, Gen Atanas Atanasov resigned. The reason, they said, had to do with the bad election performance of their respective political organisations. Their action was novel in Bulgarian politics and the civil service as such: very few Bulgarians resign from any position of power unless they really have to.

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:38
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QUOTE-UNQUOTE

Finishing Hemus Motorway by 2024 was never realistic.

Regional Development Minister Grozdan Karadzhov on promises Boyko Borisov used to make while he was PM

The [GERB-controlled] anti-corruption commission has produced more saints than the Bulgarian Church in 100 years. The people it has investigated were given veritable halos, despite them being sanctioned by the Magnitsky Act.

Konstantin Bachiyski, Changes Continued MP

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:22
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rila monatery from the air

WINTER IN RILA MONASTERY

As the largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rila Monastery can appear a little overwhelming if you visit in high season or during major Christian festivals. The crowds that gather in the picturesque yard, with its toy-like painted church and the striped arches of the galleries, can obliterate any feeling of holiness, or the tranquility that is usually associated with a monastic institution of such fame.

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:06
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where in bulgaria are you

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

The Thracians, the Romans, the Proto-Bulgars, the Venetians and the Ottomans were all here, and with them came Czechs, Hungarians, Germans, Armenians and Jews. All left their marks on the modern city. Though it has been severely depopulated in recent years and has the continuing misfortune of being in what is the poorest region of the EU, the city has a lot to offer to the inquisitive traveller – rich history, plenty of sightseeing and not least excellent wine. 

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 11:49
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WHAT DO WOMEN WANT? THE MYSTERY REVEALED

It is often said that a woman’s soul is а complex mystery, difficult to solve, and the moods and de- sires of ladies are changeable, vague, and sometimes deprived of logic. It is true that women are differ- ent and everyone has her own individual longings. Some put all their efforts into the career of their dreams. Others feel best in the role of mothers and guardians of their family well-being. Some dedicate themselves to public causes, which become their life’s purpose. 

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 10:28
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