AFP for Bulgaria: The oligarchs have privileges, the population is melting, but they are proud of the rose oil
Traditionally, Agence France-Presse publishes typical characteristics of the current election. Here are the five things that you think are emblematic of Bulgaria.
A declining population
The population of Bulgaria is one of the fastest decreasing in the world. At the fall of communism in 1989, you had almost 9 million inhabitants, but now there are only 6.52 million people due to mass emigration, low birth rates and high death rates. Life expectancy is one of the lowest in the lower union – 73.6 years. The lack of a significant enough labor force, especially the brain drain of educated professionals, affects economic growth.
Endemic corruption
Bulgaria is the worst rated country in the EU in the Corruption Perceptions Index obtained by the non-governmental organization Transparency International. The shadow economy represents just under 30 percent of economic activity, according to one estimate published by the International Monetary Fund. Bribery is common in many areas of public life, including medicine, education, the police and the media. Stories about the opulent life of the political elite are common – apartments acquired at low prices, villas built with European funds and privileges for oligarchs. Most Bulgarians have an average monthly salary of only 870 euros ($853), which is 2.5 times less than the EU average. For the elderly, pensions of just €342 ($335) mean they too are struggling to make ends meet.
Russophilism and Muslims
Historically, Bulgarians have often oriented themselves towards Russia and not towards the West. Both countries are predominantly Slavic and Orthodox and use the Cyrillic alphabet, which Bulgaria claims was created on its soil. Moscow also played a decisive role in the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878 and the country was the most loyal satellite of the Soviet Union during communism.
Since Ottoman times, Bulgaria has inherited a 13 percent Muslim minority of ethnic Turks, Pomaks (Bulgarians who converted to Islam under Ottoman rule) and some Roma.
Yogurt and roses
The country is proud of the discovery of yogurt – too, disputed by neighboring Turkey – and even gave its name to the bacterium that is indispensable in its production: Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LBB). The Bulgarian researcher, medical student Stamen Grigorov, discovered the bacteria in 1905 while studying food habits in the southern Rhodopes of Bulgaria.
Another national emblem is the damask rose, whose oil is a must in almost all high-end perfumes. Along with Turkey and Morocco, Bulgaria is traditionally one of the world’s leading producers of rose oil. The Bulgarians also make rose jam and even pink brandy from the delicate pink listeners, BGNES recalls.
Pagan roots
Bulgaria’s holiday calendar includes many traces of its pre-Christian pagan past. One example is the tradition of “Kookers” who parade in elaborate monster costumes, to ward off bad winter spirits at the end of the season. Another one that is intertwined with the world’s religious dates is the “nestinari” who dance on the embers of the feast of Saints Constantine and Helena.
Photos: BGNES
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