The protests should be neither underestimated, nor overestimated.
Rumyana Bachvarova, GERB, before mass rallies toppled the GERB-led coalition government
Snap elections are the only way forward.
President Rumen Radev
Who ordered this abomination?
Asen Vasilev, Changes Continued, during rushed discussion on the scandalous state budget that provoked Bulgaria's largest mass protests since 1997
Made in 1949, it shows Moscow as the greatest and most important European city (sorry, London), omits to mention the existence of Dublin, but points out to a "world-famous" location called Magnitogorsk in what at the time was the Soviet Union. This bizarre map of Europe is positioned on a wall opposite another mosaic curiosity, a map of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (in existence in 1945-1990). Since its inauguration, the map had to be changed twice: once when Kolarovgrad reverted to its original name of Shumen, and another time when the city of Stalin became... Varna.
There are three theories about how this popular idiom entered the Bulgarian language. The first dates it back to the 7th century, the time when the Bulgarian state was being founded by the proto-Bulgarian tribes who came to the Danube and first settled in what is today Romania. Khan Asparukh's horse went to the river to drink some water but slipped and fell in. The strong current hurled it downstream and Asparukh himself jumped into the torrent to rescue it.
1. Which country does not neighbour Bulgaria?
A. Serbia
B. Romania
C. Moldova
2. For traditional architecture and a medieval fortress, you go to...
A. Tarnovo
B. Targovishte
C. Teteven
3. Where is Rayskoto Praskalo waterfall, the highest in the Balkans?
A. In Rila
B. In Pirin
C. In the Stara Planina mountain range
He would come to my house. He would enter through the garage and hide in the attic. Peevski was after him. I was saving him.
Boyko Borisov, on former banker Tsvetan Vasilev, who has been a fugitive in Serbia
Even breaking up with your girlfriend via text is bad taste.
Boris Bonev, Save Sofia, on Mayor Vasil Terziev's decision to fire the city chief architect by phone
Many of them also see it as an antidote to unholy Western influence such as LGBTQ, Halloween and so on. Orthodox traditions and rites have been incorporated solidly in the nation's secular life. Black-clad priests are present at almost all official occasions – from the consecration of public buildings to the blessing of someone's new office and even car. Senior state officials vie to be televised while kissing the hand of some cleric.
1. Who is Bulgaria's current prime minister?
A. Boyko Borisov
B. Rumen Radev
C. Rosen Zhelyazkov
2. For a white Christmas in Bulgaria, you better head to...
A. Bansko
B. Burgas
C. Blagoevgrad
3. For wine tasting, you go to…
A. Montana
B. Melnik
C. Momchilgrad
Whereas in the West it signifies the introduction of Baby Jesus to the magi, in the East it celebrates Christ's baptism by St John in the Jordan river and the simultaneous appearance of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
In Bulgarian traditional culture, Epiphany is known as Yordanovden, or Jordan's Day. It is dedicated to water as a means of physical and spiritual purification – and to everyone male or female who bears the popular first name of Yordan or Yordanka.
I let my ministers attend events with Radev, but they do not want to go.
Boyko Borisov, GERB leader
He's just a friend's kid.
Boyko Borisov on a Wall Street Journal report claiming he met with Donald Trump Jr and offered to sell him shares in the Turkish Stream pipeline in exchange for lifting the Magnitsky Act sanctions on Bulgarians
If someone really believes that we are capable of paying for an article in the Wall Street Journal, he has seriously overestimated us.
1. Which mountain is famed for a cluster of seven lakes?
A. The Strandzha
B. The Rila
C. The Rhodope
2. Which town is known for its old clocktower?
A. Tryavna
B. Tutrakan
C. Topolovgrad
3. Which ancient Thracian tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A. Mezek Tomb
B. Aleksandrovo Tomb
C. Kazanlak Tomb