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Talking about exhibitions, the one in Shipka 6 gallery is interesting in that the Bulgarian Artists Association displays paintings from its collection. From the poster I understood that these works have been gathered to give tribute to little known authors or long forgotten works.

Most of the paintings are from the archive of the association and are there because no one has claimed them back. The periods they cover are from the 60s, 70s and 80s and it is obvious that they are profoundly influenced by the Communist culture, themes and techniques used at that time.

One shurely makes comparison between now and then, turning the visual experience into a cultural trip way back in time.

The exhibition is on the 3rd and the 4th floors of the gallery and continues up to 13th of March.

Shipka 6 Gallery is on 6 Shipka str.

Naster (a.k.a Nassimo) will open his first stand-alone exhibition this Saturday, February 28th at 19:00 o’clock at 1908 Gallery on 1 Angel Kunchev Street and will last until the 8th of March, 2009. He is one of the first and most prominent Bulgarian underground artists, who started making street graffiti in the early 90s and hasn’t stopped ever since. He has taken part in numerous projects around the country, and keeps pushing and developing his extraordinary abilities and style. His first solo exhibit in Sofia will include around 50 canvases, which are also to be shown in his first exhibition in Canada later this April. Respect!

The metal subculture is among the most expressive ones either in appearance or in ideology. And this tendency exists since its appearance in the world of music. Metal fans are immediately recognized in the way they look or behave, sometimes provoking negative reactions but I believe that this is part of the whole idea – to be distinctive from the crowd.
In this respect, О.Ч.З. takes care of all metal fans many years in a row, decades even. The abbreviation literary means Monsters and Villains Organization (inspired by the TV series “The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin”) and is quite suggestive, since this place is far beyond a mere shop for metal music and accessories of any kind. During the years, it has become an institution for the alternative styles by supporting and organizing prominent events, or organizing trips around Europe aiming at visiting huge metal concerts.
What is more important, however, is that in 1997 the people working behind the idea expand their activities by turning O.Ч.З. in an independent musical company, thus strengthening their position and presence in the Bulgarian underground. The coolest part is that they would never go commercial, as they claim it.
In the shop you can find all a metal fan needs, there is a tattoo & piercing studio as well, but  what I find most impressive are original drumsticks that once belonged to Lars Ulrich from Metallica which decorate the entrance. I have friends who kneel before them. Totally Cool!

О.Ч.З. is on 3 Tri Ushi str.

Sofia is wrapped with wires, as is any other place in the world.

Our wires, however, are just left exposed to various conditions and without any supervision. Obviously, interests prevail only to the point where a connection has to be established, and the rest are merely details.

The results are tragical – wires uncontrollably hang from everywhere, threatening to harm one’s life should you make the wrong move. For your own safety, just be careful and avoid hanging wires.

As for the last picture, I really wonder who dared to use tape to stick the wires together. It doesn’t seem very professional. Of course, there is a hanging wire and the protection panel is missing.

Faith Club is were Pulse Club was. This means that the latter does not exist anymore. I still haven’t visited it but it looks a little bit gothic to me.

Will we let ourselves be entertained there? This is something that is due to be checked.

Faith Club is located on 50 Samuil Str, which is а cross-street of Stamboliisky Blvd.

The qualities of this place are beyond doubt.

Starting from the simple fact that the way the beer is served is actually done by you. You pour it in the glass, you decide how much you want and how much to drink. Meanwhile, the whole process happens while you sit it your chair and have a nice chat. At the end of every table there is a spout and a little counter that points out the quantity you have drunk. Impressive, isn’t it? And the beer is made there! In fact you see the whole machinery at the very entrance of the pub – two big copper containers that produce live beer which generally refers to the presence of noble yeasts left over from the brewing process, if I am not wrong.

During the weekends, bands come to perform live, turning the calm atmosphere into a lively party.

The rest is an exemplary menu with exhaustive list of beverages and a stimulating setting. The waiters, however, were somehow aloof.

A dinner for two would about 40 Leva (20 Euro). The parking during the night won’t be a big problem, however during the day, there would be hardly any chance.

Ale House is on 42 Hristo Belchev str, between Slaveykov square and Vitosha blvd.

For the true fans of skiing and snowboarding, Bezbog remains a favorite destination. Literally meaning “without god” or “godless”, there are both a cabin and a nearby peak that carry the name. Normally, the drive from Sofia will take you about three hours (Sofia-Dobrinishte is about 150 kilometers), but on a Sunday we made the trip back in only a couple. It is worth it in any case. The way to get to Dobrinishte, which is the village in the foot of the mountains below Bezbog, follows the same road as to Bansko, but you pass it and keep on driving for another 6 kilometers. From Dobrinishte there is only one road up to the ticket desk.

A thirty-five minute ride on the open lift takes you from Goce Delchev cabin up to Bezbog cabin at 2236 meters above sea level. Even if you miss the winter sports season, only the view from up there is incredible and a must-see. When the snow and ice melt, there is the Bezbozhko lake just outside the cabin. If you do want to hit the powder after all, wear your warmest outfit, since the open-air ride can chill you quite a bit. This is one of the very few minuses I find about the place. On the positive side are the low lift card prices (20 leva for a whole day), long slopes and the friendly people there. When the high altitudes finally make you tired and hungry, you don’t need to be a millionaire (like in Bansko) in order to survive the rest of the afternoon. Bezbog cabin has a large dining room with a good enough variety of cooked meals at fair prices. You want to sleep over? Still won’t cost you much. A little tip for the enthusiasts – Dobrinishte has great public mineral water baths, with very healthy water and an entrance fee of only one lev. The perfect ending for a perfect winter adventure.

1. Sofia is at the foot of the mountain and whenever we need an escape from the noise, this is the closest destination to nature. The view from there is stunning, especially when it is dark – the smog cannot be seen. Instead, there are so many lights that unequally illuminate the area so you automatically start a guessing game trying to figure out where is the airport, where is Alexander Nevski Cathedral, where is the nearest bar.

Even if you have decided to stay over the night is fun. Vitosha has many cabins, just make a reservation, gather some friends and go.

2. Sofia, being the biggest and the most populated city, always offers interesting events, either  during the day or the night. Having good time is no longer something that needs a particular hour.

3.  You can drink beer in the parks. Officially – you cannot anymore.

4. Sofia at night is as if you are in another city – no noise, no people in a hurry, no cars that block your way on the sidewalk. In short, the city is perfect for a midnight walk with a bottle of champagne. You focus on the beautifully decorated and lighted buildings, and do not notice the ugly ones.

5. Cheap stuff for lasting memories. Indeed, you can find a lot of souvenirs and absurd presents for your friends at home. A traditional plate is always worth buying at the Women’s Market because it is beautiful, colourful and meaningful.

A monastery so big that could be seen from far away if the mountains of Rila weren’t blocking the view. In fact, it is the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Since its establishment in the 10th century, the place becomes an important cultural and ideological center for generations to come.
Its founder, St. John of Rila lived in a nearby cave and his students built the complex supported by influential people and rulers.

During the years, the monastery was damaged many times, either by fires or by the invasion of the Ottomans. Throughout their occupation that started in the 14th century until 1878, the cultural and social life of the Bulgarians was on decline. Nevertheless, the monastery never ceased to function, supporting and giving hope to the whole nation.
Nowadays, the monastery is one of the most famous touristic destinations on the Balkans. It is on 117 km south of Sofia, which makes it reachable within a day. The symbols it embodies and the hope it has preserved despite all the difficulties show the unity and the unbreakable spirit of our nation.

By going to Rila monastery, you can enjoy lots of traditional food! The mekitzi are simply a must – they are like beignets or donuts but not quite. Also, very typical for the region is the kachamak.