BLENDING TRADITIONS

I was born born in the UK to a British mother and a German father, raised in Germany and married Alex, a Paraguayan who had immigrated at the age of 18. Together, we have lived in my home region near Stuttgart in the German southwest, in Berlin and in Mexico. For the last three years I have been working at the German Embassy in Bulgaria and Alex is with an international automotive supplier in Sofia. For the third time in a row we and our four young children are celebrating Christmas in Bulgaria.

Why Bulgaria? We can both be active in jobs we love, which is a blessing, and I am grateful to our employers that it all worked out. So well in fact, that we both extended our stay. We are very happy to be in Bulgaria! I love the sun you get here, even in autumn and winter! My job offers me the wonderful opportunity to meet people of all spheres and ages – the media, politics, civil society, education, culture – and I am all in for it. In our free time we enjoy exploring the country and its numerous beautiful spots.

Deborah speaking at the Day of German Unity reception at the NDK in Sofia

Bulgarians are amazingly friendly to kids. People stand up on the subway to offer children their seat. Reach out a hand when there's a step. Appreciate and applaud them. Often the parents get to enjoy this, too: I can't count how many locals have called me a "hero" simply for having children. As a Latin American Alex thinks Bulgarians tend to be more pragmatic when it comes to problem solving. In his daily work as an engineer, it is a useful complement to the sometimes overmeticulous German style. He loves e-biking in the mountains with his colleagues and testing the limits of our 4x4 while off-roading. The Balkans don't say no to a good barbecue, something his Latin American heart delights in.

We tend to be more on the optimist side of the spectrum, so the – sometimes extreme – pessimism and the (unjustified!) low self-confidence bothers us at times. Gratitude for the moment, for what we have, even the little things, makes life easier and more joyful. We have met many Bulgarian returnees who testify that it is absolutely possible to have a future here. We would love to see more confidence and optimism, more personal responsibility instead of blame-shifting, nitpicking and envy. But this is something that relates to many places, not just Bulgaria!

Alex biking to the Buzludzha Communist Party monument

We have a colorful mix of Christmas traditions. I strongly dominate this area, bringing in some of my family's traditions: loads of Christmas music and carols in English and German mainly, the typical German advent wreath, a special Nigerian nativity scene inherited from my British grandfather, candlelight service on Christmas Eve, presents on Christmas morning, watching the Queen's speech (still not used to having a king now), and special donations for causes we include the kids in choosing.

We try to think of those less fortunate and join activities like Operation Christmas Child. We like inviting people who don't have anyone to celebrate with or would simply appreciate the company. Last year for example, we had a family from Israel over for Christmas dinner. They had escaped the constant siren alarms in northern Israel and come to Sofia for a few months. We came across them and asked them on the spur of the moment to join us – the start of a wonderful friendship.

A must ahead of Christmas is a visit to the traditional German Christmas market at Battenberg Square. And the Christmas concert at Life Fellowship International, our church in Sofia.

At school, the kids have learnt to make survachki and are proud to bring them home for the holidays.

And of course, music! I look forward to a concert or two: I am a fan of Miro, and will attend a gig of legendary Lili Ivanova this December. Also snow-covered mountains and two or three days outside of Sofia. I'm currently incorporating some Bulgarian Christmas classics into my repertoire on the piano, and would like to learn how to cook another Bulgarian dish over the holidays. The Odd-Number-of-Dishes-on-the-Table on Christmas Eve and some other traditions we happily watch from the sidelines.

In Nesebar at the Black Sea coast

Obviously, we do have hopes for the New Year. A boost for the economy. More young and bright Bulgarians who stay or return to their country, take on responsibility and try to have a positive impact on their surroundings. You don't need to change the world, but you have the chance to change your area of influence for the positive, how big or small that may be.

Peace, of course. For the hostages in Gaza to be alive and free, for an end to the misery.

A stable government for Bulgaria. More fruitful cooperation between our countries and within Europe. Recognizing that what we have in Europe is precious and not taking it for granted. More courage for young Bulgarians to start their own families.

Visiting the Founders of the Bulgarian State monument in Shumen

For all of us: more willingness to talk with each other in spite our differences of opinion. We spend so much of our time in bubbles, interacting in the same old social circles, scrolling in our social media pools, going on our daily errands anonymously with air pods in ear… I hope for us to open our minds. An exercise I force myself to do: try to prove an argument from the point of view of your "opponent", search for evidence that proves the other side is right.

At Christmas, many people come together, each of us with our own views. It would be nice if we could normalize the Agree-To-Disagree again, and share joy.

For my husband and me as Christians, the Christmas message is timeless. Even when the world around us is in turmoil or our personal circumstances change: Jesus Christ's message of peace is relevant, revolutionary, and gives us security. To us, this is the ultimate gift and a reason to celebrate: the Saviour's birth and salvation.

Happy Christmas to all!