CulturalFest Preview: Explore Bulgaria
An interview with Ana-Maria, the leader of the Bulgaria booth at the upcoming CulturalFest International Expo.
The Bulgaria booth at CulturalFest 2013
Visiting the CulturalFest International Expo on February 7 is a way to travel the world in just one day - and to do it for free! The Expo features booths led by University of Washington international students from all over the world who are eager to teach others about their home communities and cultures.
As the event gets closer, we're featuring interviews with some of these students to give a sneak peek into what visitors to the Expo can see and learn. Here's an interview with booth captain Ana-Maria Georgieva about the Bulgaria booth.
What will CulturalFest visitors be able to see and do at your booth to learn about Bulgaria?
Ana-Maria and her mother, a professional folk dancing instructor and researcher, dressed in traditional costumes, while representing Bulgaria during a Cultural evening in Stockton Dance Camp, 2008
This year we would like to invite the visitors as guests to a Bulgarian traditional “room.” They can sit down and enjoy singing, listening to music, and playing instruments. We will introduce our guests to Bulgarian crafts such as BG style knitting and martenizi, embroidery and will invite them to try some dances with us. They will have the opportunity to learn how to write their name in Cyrillic alphabet.
What do you most want people to know about Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is a country that is both ancient and modern. It remains picturesque and exciting to visit due to its very rich cultural and historic life. It dates back as early as 681 BC and for ages Bulgaria stood as one of the post powerful and culturally developed countries in Ancient Europe. Its current location, in the Eastern parts of the continent, forms the marks of a lion. It marks a land that has always been centered at the crossroads of the Balkans, thus inheriting, exchanging, adopting and preserving a varying range of traditions and customs.
Bulgaria today may be much smaller in magnitude but she is still parenting within her borders thousands of historic monuments, objects and remarkable pure natural wonders. Visitors may have heard of our Valley of Roses, the intact Roman amphitheater in Plovdiv city or her inviting Black Seacoast. Moreover, our folk life and traditions are another much-cherished part of our heritage which we deliver to public through our dances and songs. No one that has ever listened to Bulgarian “gaida”, for example (a traditional pipe instrument), cannot be moved by its mystical, enchanting voice.
Have a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elOkNCu9Zbs and give us your impressions!
If someone was going to travel to Bulgaria, where would you recommend they visit?
Traditional dancing by Bulgarian children. Photo credit: Charlie Jiro
There are too many places to be mentioned here but I always encourage foreign visitors to start their trip with couple of days and nights in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capitol, then travel to Plovdiv – our so-called artistic and second largest city - place of merchandise and trade dating back into the Middle Ages; after that, taking a modern train to the seaside and walk through the beautiful sea gardens of Burgas or Varna (big resorts), as well as resting in the all-perfect-for-vacations smaller ones like Nesebar, Sozopol or Balchik. For camping on the beach, try the beauty of Irakli beach; for intense party life, instead, go to Sunny Beach (a.k.a the Bulgarian “Ibiza”).
Speaking of parties, we Bulgarians are famous for the knack we have to throw memorable party events. Not only this, but we particularly favor folk, film or art festivals, which you may see everywhere in the country during the entire year. Be sure to pay a visit to the vast choice of quaint villages and ancient cities spread all over Rodopes, Pirin and Stara Planina mountains.
Images from the weekly Bulgarian folk dancing meetings in Seattle
No matter where you explore Bulgaria you will leave with journey to remember!
I recommend indulging yourselves not just with the scenic and visual travel that you will experience in the local museums but also spending a time to test the gourmet side of the regions. Given the fact that cuisine is a recognized trait of the culture, you must have a bite of our domestic cheese or bread, then try our celebrated Bulgarian Yogurt and finally sip a gulp from our traditional drink “rakia” (imagine the taste of whisky but with fruit cover). Our most famous meals are our “Shop Salad” (feta cheese, cucumber and fresh tomatoes), our “banitza”, the cold soup called “tarator” and also many others!
Who are the other members of your booth and where are they from?
All of them are Bulgarians that live in Seattle for a long time and are more or less affiliated with the Bulgarian Heritage Center and its projects. Special courtesy to Mariya Apostolova who is the gifted designer and manager of our corner and the traditional decorum you will find there, so make sure to visit our booth!
In your experience, what’s the biggest difference between Seattle and your home country/city/community?
The Bulgaria booth at CulturalFest 2013
I came to Seattle last spring and since then working my way to become part of UW from the upcoming fall; Coming from a different Educational system (very profiled one opposite to the more broad-based fund here) I had to take additional credits (which I do at Bellevue College) in order to proceed with my BA studies. I am transferring from Sociology to Communications and taking dance classes in between. In short, I am not a stranger to new experiences and this is what indefinitely captures my interest and eagerness to be part of the multi-cultural environment in University of Washington. This CulturalFest is a rich example of this dive into-the-melting-pot experience!
Anything else you want to share?
Ethograpic style of Old Bulgarian Home. Photo credit: Bulgarian visual artist and director Bogdan Darev
Yes. Anyone who is interested in knowing more, please don’t hesitate to contact me; I will be more then eager to tell you more about Bulgaria. There is a large community of Bulgarians in the greater Seattle area and we seasonally organize several events to commemorate and celebrate our homeland’s culture. These are always open to the wide audience as well. I will be happy if I have tempted to you to visit these and to enjoy more our history and traditions, live and in person!
For more info check our Seattle website, http://seattle-bg.org/
Thanks to Ana-Maria and to all the students who are working hard to make this CulturalFest amazing! Learn more about the International Expo here.
CulturalFest is a two-day event which also features a Performance Showcase at Meany Hall and a Benefit Reception and Silent Auction where guests can bid on local and global items to support FIUTS. Get your tickets to the performances and auction here, or in the FIUTS office in HUB 206.
Hope to see you at CulturalFest!
More CulturalFest Previews: Explore Kuwait, Explore Sri Lanka, Explore Cambodia, Explore China