Architect Ivo Dikov on finding the fine balance between large-scale thinking and attention to detail

Corruption prompts bad freedom-of-speech ratings

Esoteric's ideas survived Communism

The major gaffe by the National Revenue Agency that made possible the hacking of the personal data of about 5 million Bulgarians, or just about anyone of taxpaying age including some deceased taxpayers,

has spawned many jokes making the rounds in Bulgaria these days. Here are some of them.

Teshovo is quiet and full of charm

At first glance Stefano Baldi, the Italian ambassador in Sofia, possesses all the telltale signs of a career diplomat. Having served in Italian embassies and missions in places as varied as Dar-es-Salaam, Geneva, New York and Brussels, he has headed the Italian Embassy in Sofia since 2016. However, Stefano Baldi is a lot more than a successful diplomat.

Inevitably in the various Top 5 oddest monuments in the world lists, this "flying saucer" construction has sat on top of a Bulgarian mountain since its erection in 1981, when it was designed to celebrate the Communist Party's supposed eternity.

Sumptuous Old Town façades hide well-preserved treasures

"If the National Revenue agency did not offer e-services, there would be no personal data leaks." Vladislav Goranov, Finance Minister

Most spectacular ways to get from northern to southern Bulgaria, and vice versa