During live centuries of Ottoman rule,
Bulgarian national traditions were kept alive by its
monasteries, which had been centers of Bulgarian-language learning since the Middle Ages. Often hidden away in mountain valleys -both lot defensive reasons, and because old the tranquility thereby offered to hermits -the
monasteries in Bulgaria went on to provide the populace with both spiritual and political leadership during the nineteenth-century upsurge of patriotic feeling known as the National Revival. For today's visitor, the
monasteries in Bulgaria offer a unique atmosphere of sanctity and peace, as well as the chance to peer inside some wonderfully decorated churches.
Rila,
Troyan and
Bachkovo are the three most-visited foundations, welcoming a steady stream of pilgrims all year round and attracting crowds of celebrants on major saints' days.
Much of Bulgaria is like an open-air museum of Balkan culture
Today, while undoubtedly more open to the outside world and more visitor-friendly than ever before. Bulgaria remains a country in transition. Back in the momentous winter of 1989, it looked as if it was dragging its feet on the road to democracy while others forged ahead. The Communist Party-ditched a few of the old guard, changed its name to the Socialist Party and promptly won the first multiparty elections for more than forty years, remain¬ing the country's most coherent political force until the elections of April 1997. when the SDS took over. Despite stabilizing the economy, the SDS failed to stamp out corruption, and were swept aside four years later by a new movement, the NDSV, centred around (the former Tsar of Bulgaria, Simeon of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. With the Tsar installed as Prime Minister, and a Socialist (ie former Communist) occupying the post of President. Bulgaria is in for some interesting times.
Since 1989. market economics have been introduced more cautiously than in the more developed former Communist states, but the steady growth of private enterprise is making its mark nonetheless. Locals are quick to point out that the move towards capitalism has meant poor conditions for many. Full employment and job security arc things of the past, and the new business culture is riddled with corruption and organized crime. While these problems shouldn't affect your enjoyment of an invigorating and little-experienced culture, it's a good idea to remain sensitive towards such issues.
