Bulgaria News 3
5 March 2009, Thursday Investment Agency Head: Bulgaria No Less Competitive than China's East Coast 
Photo by Assya FilipovaThe Director of the InvestBulgaria Agency, Stoyan Stalev, said Thursday that Bulgaria was not less attractive for foreign investors than the world's top investment destination, the East Coast of China. Stalev spoke at the Invest in Bulgaria 2009 Summit, which took place in the Sheraton Hotel in Sofia, elaborating on Bulgaria's investment advantages. The InvestBulgaria Agency head pointed out that Bulgaria was mostly attractive for foreign investors because of its potential as an export location close to markets with some 800 million inhabitants in the EU, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Stalev pointed out that the main investment strategy of the Bulgarian government, which his agency supported, was to put forth Bulgaria's combination of advantages, which included the macroeconomic and political stability, the really favorable taxation policy, the qualified labor force, the general low production costs, and the improving bureaucracy. Data presented by Stalev showed that foreign companies invested EUR 30 B in Bulgaria since 1990, and EUR 19 B of these were invested only in the 2006-2008, i.e. after Bulgaria completed its EU accession negotiations in 2004. Most of Bulgaria's Foreign Direct Investments in 1996-2008 came from Austria (15% or EUR 4,6 B), the Netherlands (12% or EUR 3,6 B), Greece (9% or EUR 2,8 B), the UK (9% or EUR 2,7 B), Germany (6% or EUR 1,8 B), Cyprus (5% or EUR 1,5 B), Belgium (4% or EUR 1,3 B), Hungary (4% or EUR 1,2 B), USA (4% or EUR 1,1 B), and Switzerland (3% or EUR 1,05 B). Stalev pointed out the InvestBulgaria Agency was trying as a priority to attract investors from France within the EU, and from China, Japan, and Korea from the potential non-EU investors. According to the data presented by Stalev, 22% of Bulgaria's total foreign investments in 1998-2008 were in the real estate sector (or EUR 6,7 B), 20% in finance (or EUR 6,04 B), 18% in manufacturing (EUR 5,4 B), 16% in trade (EUR 4,94 B), and 7% in construction. The Invest in Bulgaria 2009 Summit is organized by the Brussels-based European Finance Convention. Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) is official media partner of the event.
4 March 2009, Wednesday Bulgarian Consul in Dubai Announces UAE Tourist and Investment Plan 
Mina al Salam and Burj al Arab in DubaiPotho by themoderatevoice.com Zdravelin Georgiev, Consul General of Bulgaria in Dubai, has announced that Bulgaria is planning to launch a campaign to boost two-way investment and tourist traffic with the UAE, Zawya, a business information company in Dubai, reported late Tuesday. Georgiev stated that the campaign, to be launched within weeks, was aimed at creating greater awareness in the UAE and the Gulf of Bulgaria's "immense tourism and investment prospects." "The investment climate in Bulgaria remains good despite the current global meltdown. One of our goals is to promote two-way investment and tourist traffic with the Gulf region," Georgiev told the UAE newspaper Khaleej Times. He said by the middle of this year, Bulgarian Airlines would launch direct flights between Sofia and Dubai as part of the government's effort to encourage tourists and businessmen to the country. Georgiev said tourist flow from the Gulf region to Bulgaria remained low, partly because there were no direct flights. Last year, the Bulgarian Consulate General issued 2 000 visit visas in the UAE. "This is a very small number given the myriad of tourist attractions of a country like Bulgaria of 7.5 million people" he said. In June 2007, Bulgaria and the UAE signed a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation and restriction of income and capital tax evasion. There are more than 7 000 Bulgarians living the UAE, Georgiev concluded.
3 March 2009, Tuesday Bulgaria Celebrates National Liberation Day Bulgaria celebrates Tuesday the country's National Holiday, March 3rd and the 131st anniversary of its Liberation from five centuries of Ottoman dominance. A solemn ceremony, including hoisting of the national flag in front of the Unknown Soldier Monument in Sofia is held at 11:00 with the participation of Bulgaria's President, Georgi Parvanov, the Speaker of the Parliament, Georgi Pirinski, and the Russian Ambassador to Sofia, Yuri Isakov. Parvanov, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, will attend planned ceremonies throughout the day. He will take the salute of the representative units of the Bulgarian Army, which will be held Tuesday evening at the "Narodno Subranie" (National Assembly) square in the capital. The President and First Lady, Zorka Parvanova, will host the traditional reception at the historical museum at the Presidential Residence "Boyana." The 131st anniversary of Bulgaria's Liberation will also be honored with a solemn meeting on the square beneath the historical "Shipka" mountain top in Stara Planina (the Balkan Range). The metropolitan of Veliko Turnovo, Grigorii, will perform a memorial service for all Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian and Finish soldiers, who gave their lives for the country's freedom. Wreaths and flowers will be laid at the Liberty Monument at "Shipka" Ceremonies, celebrating Bulgaria's National Holiday, are traditionally held throughout the country, particularly solemn in towns and cities boasting victorious battles of Russian and Bulgarian soldiers in the 1877-1878 Liberation War. This March 3rd such ceremonies will be held in Pleven, Gabrovo, Sevlievo, Dryanovo, Tryavna, Karlovo, Sliven, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Chepelare, Hisar, Nova Zagora, Straldzha, Tundzha, Pernik, Varna, among many. The Bulgarian Economy Minister, Petra Dimitrov will take part in the celebration in Varna. Monuments in honor of those who contributed to Bulgaria's freedom are erected all over Bulgaria, including Sofia's Doctors' Monument (engraved with the names of 531 Bulgarian and foreign medics who died during the war), the Shipka Monument (on one of the most precipitous areas of the Balkans Range), the Tsar Osvoboditel Monument in downtown Sofia, in front of the Parliament building, portraying the Russian Emperor Alexander the Second on horseback. On 3 March 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano (a tiny town near Istanbul) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed, bringing Bulgaria back to the political map. March 3 was honored for the first time in 1880, in the occasion of the Enthronement of Russian Emperor Alexander the Second. Since 1888, March 3 has become Bulgaria's Day of Liberation, but it was not declared National Holiday until 1978. With a Parliamentary Decree from 1990, March 3 was included in the list of Bulgaria's official holiday. The Peace Treaty of San Stefano marks the revival of the Bulgarian State, dominated by the Ottoman rule since the end of 14th century. Bulgaria, however, became a truly independent country after the Congress of Berlin, which took place a couple of months later in 1878, despite the fact that it ended with the redistribution back to the Ottoman Empire of certain Bulgarian territories that the previous treaty had given to the Principality of Bulgaria, most notably Macedonia. The Congress of Berlin (June 13 - July 13, 1878) was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen. In the wake of the Russian-Turkish War, 1877-78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans. Otto von Bismarck, who led the Congress, undertook to balance the distinct interests of Britain, Russia and Austria-Hungary. The congress was aimed at the revision of the Treaty of San Stefano and at keeping Constantinople in Ottoman hands.
1 March 2009, Sunday Baba Marta Brings Spring to Bulgarians All Bulgarians celebrated Sunday a centuries-old tradition - exchanging martenitsas on the day of Baba Marta, and the shining sun spelled nice and warm weather ahead. Eagerly followed on March 1 every single year, the tradition of giving your friends red-and-white interwoven strings brings health and happiness during the year and is a reminder that spring is near. Celebrated on March 1, Baba Marta (Grandma March), a feisty lady who always seems to be grudging at her two brothers, and the sun only comes out when she smiles. As folklore often goes there are different versions of the Baba Marta tale. One says that on that day she does her pre-spring cleaning and shakes her mattress for the last time before the next winter - all the feathers that come out of it pour on Earth like snow - the last snow of the year. The martenitsa tradition is thought to have been inspired by Bulgaria's first Khan Asparuh, who sent a white string to his wife to tell her he survived a battle. People are supposed to take off their martenitsas when they see the first signs that spring has already come - a blooming tree, a stork, or a sparrow. When the martenitsa is taken off some tie it to a tree - one that they'd like to be especially fruitful. Others place it under a rock and based on what they find there the next morning guess what kind of a year this one would be. The martenitsa now comes in all shapes and sizes - from Guiness-worth giant building packages to two tiny simple strings gently placed on a newborn's arm. Children usually compete who will get the most and often walk around more ornate than a Christmas tree. However, it always bears the same meaning - a lucky charm against the evil spirits of the world, a token for health and a sign of appreciation.
24 February 2009, Tuesday Bulgarian Wine Voted Best in Eastern Europe by Chicago Institute Photo by flickr.com The Bulgarian wine VINI, a 2006 Thracian Valley Merlot, has earned the distinction of "Best Eastern European Red Wine" at the World Value Wine Challenge held by the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, an official PRWeb press release reported Tuesday. VINI is produced by Sonoma-based Bulgarian Master Vintners, America's leading importer of Bulgarian wines. During a challenging economic period for the wine industry, VINI and a few other Bulgarian brands continue to gain notoriety and market share in America. Many internationally acclaimed wine producers are looking to Bulgaria as the "next big thing," as Bulgarian wines represent extremely reasonable pricing. VINI is produced in Bulgaria under the guidance of winemaker Miro Tcholakov, a Bulgarian expatriate who is also the winemaker for California's Trentadue Winery.
23 February 2009, Monday Bulgaria Prophet Baba Vanga Causes Closure of Afghan Newspaper Photo by bulgarianjourney.com Bulgaria's famous clairvoyant, Baba Vanga, has inadvertently lead to the closure of one of Afghanistan's most respected and well known newspapers, Payman, after threats were made against the editor following an article on the Bulgarian prophet, the UK Guardian newspaper reported late Sunday. According to Payman staff, the rumor trail points to the Afghan president as the main driver behind the threats that ultimately led to its closure. The shutdown came after Payman mistakenly published a "blasphemous" article called "Prediction of the Third World War" - the story of Bulgarian visionary Baba Vanga, her dramatic life and her dystopian vision of a nuclear war. The cause of the problems for the Afghan newspaper was a blasphemous paragraph introducing the article. It said world religions have no evidence to prove their vision of the afterlife, leaving the question of humanity's origins and the hereafter an unsolved mystery. Immediately after publication, Payman said the article's content was unacceptable and apologized for its mistake - but to no avail. According to the paper, a rumor is making the rounds, pointing the finger of blame at President Karzai. Allegedly the President had had enough of Payman's constant criticism of his administration and in the mistaken publication of the article, he saw a convenient opportunity to silence it for good. The UK Guardian reported that the likeable Baba Vanga believed that in 2111 mankind would become robots. And yet it was the mistaken publication of Baba Vanga's story that led to the closure of Afghanistan's most intellectually open-minded and unbiased newspaper. According to the newspaper in this incidental clash of Afghan rationalism versus Bulgarian super naturalism, Afghans are very much the losers.
18 February 2009, Wednesday Bulgarian Chess Star Topalov Beats America's Champion Kamsky at 32nd Move Photo by BGNES Bulgaria's chess star, Veselin Topalov defeated Wednesday the US chess champion, Gata Kamsky, in the second match of the World Chess Challenge in Sofia, the Bulgarian news agency BGNES reported. Topalov, who played black, beat his American opponent at the 32nd move. During the first match on Tuesday, the two finished with a tie. There are at least six more matches to go, and if their points are even then, Kamsky and Topalov will meet in a tie-break. Topalov, currently ranked number 1 in the world, is a former world champion and a fiery competitor. He has been among the world's best players for years, but it was only after the retirement of Garry Kasparov in 2005 that he broke through to the top. Kamsky, No. 17 in the world, was a prodigy. He rose as high as No. 4 by the time he was 21, played a match for the title in 1996 and then abruptly quit for eight years. The World Chess Challenge Sofia 2009 will continue until 28 February in the National Palace of Culture. The winner will compete for the World title against the current World chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India
16 February 2009, Monday Bulgarian Bank Advisor: Bulgaria Lev Strongest Currency in Eastern Europe Kalin Hristov, an advisor to the Bulgarian National Bank's (BNB) Governor, has stated that he believes that the Bulgarian Lev (BGN) is the most stable currency in Eastern Europe due to the Bulgarian economy being the most flexible and competitive in the region, the German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported Monday. Hristov said "The currencies of countries with currency board arrangements, like Bulgaria, are more stable in times of crisis when floating courses start rapidly devaluating and create problems for banks." "Bulgaria has pursued balanced macroeconomic and fiscal policy, structural and tax reforms, during the last 12 years, which makes Bulgarian economy more flexible and competitive." continued Hristov. After taking into account that Bulgaria's banking system has considerable reserves to fall back on in times of trouble, Hristov believes that Bulgaria's banks will remain more stable than the banks in other countries in Central and Eastern Europe in 2009, despite the fact that they will probably show a slower growth than in previous years.
14 February 2009, Saturday Bulgaria Commemorates 1140 Years since Death of Saint Cyril 
Photos by ancient-bulgariaSaturday, February 14 marks the 1140 anniversary of the death of Saint Cyril in Rome in 869. The two brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius were born in Thessaloniki in the 9th century. They became missionaries of Christianity among the Slavs and influenced the cultural development of all Slavic people. Cyril and Methodius are known as the creators of the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe the Old Church Slavonic language. The Cyrillic alphabet, which was based on the Glagolitic alphabet, is used in a number of languages, including Bulgarian. After their death, their pupils continued their missionary work among other Slavic peoples. Both brothers are venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as saints with the title of "Equals to the Apostles." In 1880, Pope Leo XIII introduced their feast into the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1980, Pope John Paul II declared them Co-patrons of Europe, together with Saint Benedict of Nursia. The two brothers had some early missions, but in 862, they were to enter upon the work which gives them their historical importance. That year the Prince Rastislav of Great Moravia, who sought to assert his independence from the Franks, expelled missionaries of the Roman Church and instead turned to Constantinople for ecclesiastical assistance and political support. Rastislav requested that the Emperor Michael III and the Patriarch Photius send missionaries to evangelize his Slavic subjects. The task was entrusted to Cyril and Methodius, who began translating the Bible into the language now known as Old Church Slavonic and travelled to Great Moravia to promote it. For the purpose of this mission, they then devised the Glagolitic alphabet and wrote the first Slavic Civil Code, which was used in Great Moravia. In 867, Pope Nicholas I invited the brothers to Rome. Their evangelizing mission in Moravia had by this time become the focus of a dispute with Theotmar, the Archbishop of Salzburg and bishop of Passau, who claimed ecclesiastical control of the same territory and wished to see it use the Latin liturgy exclusively. They arrived in Rome in 868 where they were warmly received, partly because they brought with them the relics of Saint Clement and despite the rivalry with Constantinople. The brothers were praised for their knowledge and respected for their influence in Constantinople. Their project in Moravia found support from Pope Adrian II, who formally authorized the use of the new Slavic liturgy. The ordination of the brothers' Slav disciples was performed by Formosus and Gauderic, two prominent bishops, and the newly made priests officiated in their own tongue at the altars of some of the principal churches. Feeling his end approaching, Cyril put on the monastic habit and died fifty days later, on February 14, 2009.
14 February 2009, Saturday Bulgaria Joins EU University System to Allow Students to Succeed Abroad 
Bulgaria has joined the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), a university network of 14 countries that will make it easier for Bulgarian students to transfer academic credits from one educational institution to another, both within Bulgaria and from Bulgaria across the European Union, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported late Friday.This system has already been joined by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. It is a part of the Central European Exchange Program for University Studies. Currently, the system means that an academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits, which itself would correspond to 1500-1800 hours of academic courses. The system will be standardized for all EU member states and it will be used to facilitate transfer of credits from one academic institution to another, thus easing academic progression through the European Union. ECTS has been designated as a standard for comparing the study attainments and performance of students of higher education establishments in the EU and participating non-EU countries. Upon successfully completed academic courses, students can choose to be rewarded with a European-accredited ECTS report. ECTS also includes a standard grading scale, intended to be shown in addition to local or national standard grades. 
Wednesday, Feb 11 2009 Madonna's Bulgaria concert scheduled for August 29 
Madonna's concert in Bulgaria will be held in Sofia on Saturday August 29 2009, Sofia Music Enterprises, a local promotion company, said on February 11.The venue will be Vassil Levski National Stadium, with a start at 8pm. The most expensive tickets, for those seeking to stay inside the Golden Circle just meters from Madonna, will cost 200 leva. People satisfied to stand in front of the stage will pay 150 leva. The cheapest tickets, in the pit, cost 100 leva. Seat prices will vary between 110, 135 and 165 leva depending on location. Tickets will be sold from February 19 2009 at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) as well as at shops of Ticketpro, on ticketpro.bg and at the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Centre, among other venues. In the Black Sea city of Bourgas, tickets will be sold at the Sound Garden shop. In Veliko Turnovo, buy them at Medouza. Madonna's first-ever concert in Bulgaria is part of her Sticky & Sweet Tour in Europe. She will reportedly arrive with a crew of 250 people, and enough equipment to make her concert the largest show that Bulgarian fans have ever seen.
9 February 2009, Monday Bulgaria's Competition Watchdog OKs Bank Acquisition by Oman's Sultan 
Photo by BGNESBulgaria's Competition Protection Agency approved Monday the purchase of 30% of the capital of the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank Jsc by the State Joint Reserve Fund of the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos ibn Sa'id. Thus, the Sultan's off-shore company registered in Luxembourg, Bulgarian Acquisition Company II S.a.r.L. (BulAC), and the bank's present owner, Bromak Single Member Ltd, will have joint control of the bank. The owner of BulAC, the Sultan's Fund, has no direct investments in Bulgarian banks, it only has investments in real estate projects in Bulgaria. The deal in which BulAC purchases 1 800 000 shares, or 30% of the Corporate Commercial Bank's capital, was announced at the end of January. The State Fund of the Sultan of Oman is one of the main investment institutions of the government of His Highness. It has already realized a number of investments in Bulgaria, and sees the acquisition of part of the shareholding capital of the Corporate Commercial Bank as furthering its investment strategy in the country. In 2008, the Corporate Commercial Bank had a net profit of BGN 40,3 M, which is a 74% growth compared to 2007. The total worth of the Bank's assets is BGN 2,1 B.
6 February 2009, Friday Bulgarian Chukanova Wins Prestigious US Beauty Contest 
Laura Chukanova Miss Utah USA 2009. Photo by Justin GrantBulgarian, Laura Chukanova, has become Miss Utah USA 2009 and will now go on to represent the Beehive state in the prestigious Miss USA pageant on April 19, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday. Miss Utah USA 2009 wasn't Chukanova's first pageant. She also participated last year and finished as third runner-up. When she was 17, she took part in Miss Sandy pageant. "It's not about being skinny at all," Chukanova said, adding that her size 8 was good enough to win the title. "... It's about being healthy." Chukanova said she is not nervous about the upcoming Miss USA pageant, but she most likely will be as the date approaches. She doesn't do anything special to prepare herself for the competition, except working out every day and staying healthy. "Don't think about what judges might want," she said. "Say and do what you really want, and it'll come off better, so that's my strategy: just to be myself." Chukanova, 22, is currently a senior majoring in international studies and minoring in leadership studies and art history. She works at U's Career Services as a peer adviser and helps students write resumes, cover letters and get involved with extracurricular activities to build their resumes. "She has taken the initiative to really help us develop some programming to let students know leadership roles are important to employees," said Stan Inman, Career Services director. Chukanova came to the Salt Lake City, United States from Sofia, Bulgaria, when she was a 5-year-old girl. Her father is a scientist who was invited to California for research purposes. His work then brought him and his family to Utah in the early 1990s. "For the people that come here and follow their path, it's possible to improve their life and become better," said Chukanova.
1 February 2009, Sunday Bulgaria Orthodox Church Honors Trifon Zarezan Day 
Photo by villalyubimets.com The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors Sunday, February 1, the Day of Saint Trifon, patron of vine-growers, wine-producers and tavern-keepers. The holiday is widely known in Bulgaria as Trifon Zarezan - from the Bulgarian verb "zariazvam" meaning to prune vines. Saint Trifon was born in 225 AD in the village of Kossada in Phrygia in Asia Minor. His parents were righteous people, who, from very early age, thought him love and devotion to God. Their efforts soon proved successful because Trifon began accomplishing miracles since childhood. He became famous at the age of 17 when he cured the daughter of the Roman Emperor Gordian. Unfortunately, Gordian was succeeded by Decius, who prosecuted Christians, and in 250 AD Trifon was arrested, tortured and decapitated. In Bulgaria, the day of Saint Trifon was initially celebrated on February 14. Under the Communist regime, the Holiday was largely known as the "Day of the Vine-Grower". In 1968, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church introduced the Gregorian calendar, the Church began honoring Saint Trifon on February 1, while February 14 remained the vine-growers' Day. Many Bulgarians still continue to celebrate Trifon Zarezan on February 14 - one of the very few holidays to be still honored according to the old calendar. In recent years, Trifon Zarezan coincides with Saint Valentine's Day - a holiday largely unknown in Bulgaria during the Communism, but acquiring greater and greater popularity. Bulgarians celebrate Trifon Zarezan with folkloric rituals in vineyard villages throughout the country. The men set out to prune the vines while the women bake festive bread loaves and prepare roast chicken stuffed with rice. Each vine-grower leaves for the vineyard with the bread and the chicken in a new, colorful woven bag and with a vessel (buklitsa) filled with red wine. Before the pruning begins, men turn to the sun and make the sign of the cross three times. After the first three twigs are cut, they wash them with the red wine, holy water and wood ashes that they had kept since Christmas Eve. At the end of the day, everyone gathers together to eat, drink wine, sing and dance. The man who harvested most grapes in the year is appointed "King". He and his subjects must traditionally get drunk to ensure a good harvest the following year. There are many different folklore versions of the way this Day is celebrated in different parts of the country as well as many different legends about who Trifon was. However, ethnographers are unanimous that the celebrations are rooted in the ancient Dionysus festivities, celebrating Dionysus - the God of Wine, who was known to have thought people everywhere he went how to grow vines and make wine. The celebrations were accompanied by rampant outdoor games and parties. Return from Bulgaria News 3 to Home Bulgaria News 2 Bulgaria News 1 Previous News
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