The report from the visit to Bulgaria

..Feelings of long awaited holiday...
The authentic Bulgarian qualities impressed me so deeply that I am under this impression still today. Before the visit I knew that . Bulgaria is known as The Land of Roses and the country where people shake their heads to say „ Yes“ and nod their heads to say „No“
Thanks to project „Europe in a ...Museum“ I found out that Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country, small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality. We were welcomed and helped to understand the Bulgarian soul.
The third project meeting was held by Sts. Cyril and Methodius primary school in Dolna Oriahovitsa, a town in Gorna Oriahovitsa municipality, Veliko Tarnovo region, the period 2nd - 6th June, 2014.

MONDAY, the 1st Project meeting day
Early in the morningt we got on a bus and headed to Sts. Cyril and Methodius primary school in Dolna Oriahovitsa which is situadted at the distance of 10 km from Veliko Tarnovo. At the premise of the school we were met by the mayor of Dolna Oriahovitsa, the headmaster Mr. Valentin Harlov and students , dressed in national costumes, who welcomed us with bread and salt. It is a Bulgarian tradition to welcome guests with home made bread - "pogacha" and salt or a typical local mix of herbs called "chubritsa". Each of us was given a small bunch of local flower which symbolises good health and prosperity. Nektaria couldn‘t stop repeating that in Crete it‘s called “tuberoza“.
Later we were guided around the building by Nina and Marusia, we went into the classrooms, met pupils ,visited the project museum . There we were offered local snacks and soft drinks prepared by the school.
At 12 o‘clock we visited Dolna Oriahovitsa’s ethnographic museum - the former house of Kozlevi family - exhibition items connected to history and folklore . We also saw unique items connected to gardening in the 19th and 20th centuries since the local gardeners were and are still known as some of the best in Bulgaria. They have got “green fingers“.
Here we got acquainted with Bulgarian folk traditions. We even tried to sing „Edna Bulgarska roza“ together with Nina‘s students. A welcoming surprise – a fresh Bulgarian rose –was given to each of us.


TUESDAY, the 2nd Project meeting day
On that day we headed to the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo where the ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum are located. Nicopolis ad Istrum , which means a Town of the Victory on the Danube river , was a Roman and Early Byzantine town founded by Emperor Trajan around 101–106. The ruins are quite impressive! It is an interesting archaeological and historical place to be seen.
Two hours later we visited the Historical Museum in Gorna Oriahovitsa. There we got acquainted with Neolithic ceramics dishes, ancient coins, folklore costumes, icons, revival period documents and photographs from Gorna Oriahovitsa. The region where the town of Gorna Oriahovitsa is situated today has been populated in the distant past. . A settlement was created in the area in the fifth millennium BC. Archaeologists found utensils and richly decorated pottery showing that ancient people were involved in agriculture and breeding.
In the afternoon we visited Ivan Vazov primary school. The headmaster introduced briefly the institution itself and later we had our lunch prepared by parents and teachers


WEDNESDAY, the3rd Project meeting day
Since early morning the Real hotel lobby was turned into the Project Office. A special workshop to evaluate work of the previous period and to plan project activities to be carried out in June and September was held.
On the third day we explored Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital and one of the most remarkable towns in Bulgaria. The most significant monument of culture in Veliko Tarnovo is the medieval fortress Tsarevets, situated on Tsarevets Hill in the old part of the town, surrounded on three sides by the river Yantra. The guide told us that although Tsarevets is surrounded by a fortified wall, it was not a closed fortress, but a real medieval town, in the center of which the palace, the church “St. Petka”, multiple residential and economic buildings, water reservoirs and battle towers were rising. On the very top of Tsarevets Hill is the Patriarchate, Patriarchal Church on top of the hill. Its scale and architecture are impressive, with striking iconography depicting the rise and fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
The views from the top of the fortress are beautiful!
By the hosting school we were provided with the opportunity to visit Multimedia visitor centre “Tsarevgrad Tarnov” located near Tsarevets hill. The exposition recreates lives of different social layer in medieval bulgarian society – monarchs, clergy, boyars and warriors, craftsmen.
After lunch at Hadji Nikoli Inn , which is tucked on a narrow street in a very nice part of old Veliko Tarnovo, ( by the way, there we were given the opportunity to taste Bulgarian yoghurt (Bulgarsko kiselo mlyako). It was so thick that if you put a fork in it, the fork stands up by itself. It‘s said that Bulgarian yoghurt is known for its wonderful flavor and medicinal benefits..Truly speaking, I didn‘t like it), we had free time for a pleasant walk along Samovodska Carshia. It was a great opportunity to learn how people worked and lived back in the old days. We could watch craftsmen while they worked in the authentic surroundings. We bought souvenirs and had a cup of coffee at the old time cafe.

THURSDAY, the 4th Project meeting day
Another exciting day with unforgettable experience was waiting for us. We drove to The Dryanovo Monastery that is situated at a distance of about 6 km from the town of Dryanovo on the road to the town of Gabrovo. First of all we visited the Bacho Kiro cave – the first electified cave in Bulgaria which is situated in the picturesque canyon of Andaka river and Dryanovska river. It is 300 meters from the monastery. In the course of time the rivers formed the unique cave galleries and halls. The researches are sure that the formation continued for about 1800 000 years.
Dryanovo Monastery "St.Arhangel Michael" was established in the 12th century and still nowadays continues to attract worshipers and tourists. There we visited the museum exposition “Archaeology and Revival” containing domestic objects, tools, coins, ceramics from the early sotne age and the sone –copper age (4000-3000 years BC).
Our journey continued through a number of picturesque small villages till we arrived to the Architectural and Ethnographic complex Etar which is situated on the outskirts of the town of Gabrovo. In a lovely traditional restaurant we tasted traditional dishes, prepared according to old local recipes.
We also walked along the crafts bazaar (the central commercial street) in the Etar where we not only watched in real time the work of the craftsmen, the authentic technology which the craftsmen are using crafts, but bought some handmade souvenirs too.
On or way back the guide toalus that Gabrovonians are described as the ones having a sense of humor about themselves.
Did you hear the one about the people who cut off the tails of their cats? Why would anyone do such a thing? So the door closes faster when they let the cat out.

FRIDAY, the 5th Project meeting day
We started our tour with the visit to one of the most important historic monuments in Veliko Turnovo - St. Forty Martyrs church. Tsar Ivan Assen II constructed the church, after his soldiers won the battle of Klokotnitsa in 1230. It safeguards three important columns, Omourtagova, Assenova and Granichna. The writings on these columns tell of Bulgaria’s past.
We visited a pretty, picture-postcard village Arbanasi is located on a high plateau 4 km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It is known that the village existed during the time of the Second Bulgarian State (1185 - 1393). At that time the Bolyari living in the capital Tarnovo used it as a summer residence. According to legend, the Tsar of Tarnovo minted coins here.
The houses of wealthy traders from this period resembled small fortresses. The entire interior was decorated with doors, windows, closets, floors with exceptionally ornate woodworking and plaster elements. The Konstantsaliev house , which we visited, is among the largest of the richly decorated houses that have been preserved. It dates from the 17th century. Nowadays inside the house there is an exhibition of artifacts from the 19th century.
Nativity church was the most impressive site we visited. This is an incredible little church in Arbanasi with more than 2000 frescos all over walls and ceilings - a testimony of the orthodox religious art from past centuries (400 years ago).I recommend you to pay attention to the Wheel of Life painting.

Farewell party turned up to be one of the best things we experienced ! While enjoying the meal which was simply “forget-nots” - cuisine prepared in a typical style, we watched and listened to the band playing the traditional instruments, singing traditional songs, and 2 guys and 2 girls dancing traditional dances.Tthey were fantastic! They were doing it with so much pleasure that made us want to know how to dance these dances!
Bulgaria is not only the land of roses but of beautiful voices, dances, mountains, rivers .
Bulgaria is a country that has something for everybody..