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I wanted to visit this museum since its very opening last year and now when I had the chance I regret that I haven’t done this earlier. The museum does not occupy the whole building – only the first floor but has a very modern appearance inside, despite the old building that belongs to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The exposition displays the many-sided nature of our predecessors – not only the way they are buried with all the ceremonies, but it also reveals their cultural and historical background through their physique.

Arranged in a chronological order from the Neolithic until the National Revival, one can experience the change of traditions during the centuries. There is so much history in so many bones and skeletons – distinctive traits, diseases, traumas, fashion even. Also, a number of skulls that once belonged to our great leaders have been rendered visual by the method of plastic anthropological reconstruction. You will be able to see how, for example, our Tzar Kaloyan and Tzar Samuil once looked.

I strongly recommend visiting it because you will definitely learn a lot about the way people perceived the world.

There is only one strong disadvantage – all the signs are in Bulgarian but the kind guide will help you to figure out what is what.

Address: 73 Tzarigradsko Shose Bul.

Open from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The long and rich history of Bulgaria deserves one of the largest historical museums on the Balkans.  Its collection of more than 650,000 items scrutinizes the political, military, religious and cultural development of our nation. In other words, from the Paleolithic era up to the present-day events, or from lots of coins, crowns, and clothes up to swords, shields and skeletons, making it the only place where one can gain a complete and overall picture of our dynamic history.
The huge building and the garden that surrounds it are part of the complex of Boyana residency – where our president lives. This fact additionally contributes to the grandeur and the magnificence of the place, inviting tourists to pay attention to every single detail, to take a walk in the garden and to enjoy the beautiful mountain view in a calm and pleasant atmosphere.

The biggest disadvantage of the museum, however, is its location since it is situated in the outskirts of Sofia. It is not an easy task to reach it, especially if you don’t have a car. Taking a taxi is an option and from the center to there it will cost you around 10 Leva (5 Euro). The other option is with the public transport, in particular trolley number 2 which goes along Patriarch Evtimii boulevard. When you get on it be patient because you have to reach its final station – where the circular road is. Then, following the signs it won’t be difficult to see it, as it is very close.

The entrance is 10 Leva but every last Sunday of the month you can enjoy the whole collection for free!

The address is 16 Vitoshko Lale str.
Find more information on the official site of the Museum.

We are witnessing a change in the way this magnum opus looks!

I like the iron cell surrounding the leftovers of the massive construction – it lends a very futuristic appearance. It can be used as a final scene of an apocalyptic movie where the protagonist fights the evil powers to save the world.

It also signals for transition from one state to another. As far as my experience shows, however, this process of transformation won’t be that fast having in mind how many years it took the decision-makers to start the initiative for renewing it.

Only time will unfold whether the monument would be given its original image or a new one. I am so impatient to see!

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!

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.

Usually they spend their time in the garden or at least they claim to do so. However, I believe that in the winter, they usually spend their time in the hostel’s bar, inside the building, really downstairs, where the stairs are over – in the basement.
This space, the one below the ground level, is very cleverly assimilated as it has several rooms with unusual interiors, all of which with its own distinctive furniture, paintings, even floor. It is obvious that artistic thinking reigns there and after some time one feels pretty much a part of the setting. Actually, the hostel’s bar reflects the whole atmosphere of the house – from the underground to the very top – the selected colorful mixture of interesting items creates a homely atmosphere.

Back to the bar, however, it is important to know that one of the two possible ways to reach it is through the main entrance of the hostel, pass by the kitchen and then you take the tiny spiral stairs that lead to the very end. The other entrance is a secret passageway that almost no one knows. Except me and a bunch of privileged people. Anyways, when you finally get in, the friendly and polite staff would help you to choose a drink, to choose a room, a seat or whatever you need. They all know English since the hostel itself is very popular among the guests of our capital and not only among them – lots of young Sofians seem to be attracted too.

It is really fun to spend time in the bar and in the summer – the garden is like a green island among the buildings. No wonder that they usually hang out there.

The address is 21A Angel Kanchev str and before trying to enter the gate, you have to ring on the bell first.
On Art Hostel’s web site exhaustive information of any kind is being offered.

Right from the very entrance, one understands that the place is saturated with tradition and history. Though that the building was not meant to be an opera house but the head office of the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union, its architecture gives you a sense of respect – built in the years of the early Communism, the building is influenced by the European Classicism but at the same time, it expresses the symbols of the Stalinist architecture in Bulgaria of the late 1950s, so don’t wonder anymore why the monument of Alexander Stamboliiski – one of the founders of the Agrarian party and a prime-minister of Bulgaria in the period 1919-1923 - is in front of the building. Quite eclectic, indeed but the overall effect is achieved – monumentality, greatness and magnificence. In short, all the qualities that an opera should possess fit perfectly both inside and outside this venue which confirms my theory that Bulgarians have always been practical people.

Nevertheless, its glory would be nothing without the artists that this place has fostered. People such as Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ghena Dimitrova, Nicola Ghiuselev and Anna Tomowa-Sintowa started their careers there and have brought to our country international fame and success.

Every season, the permanent troupe of soloists, orchestral musicians, ballet dancers, set design artists and producers present premieres of classical and modern works, thus preserving the established traditions and developing long-term artistic strategies.

The national opera is on 30 Dondukov blvd.

This monument is a popular place for hanging out and lots of skateboarders, skaters and people with other interests could be spotted. One of the reasons is maybe because there is space to move around and a monument to climb on. But this wasn’t so fifty four years ago, when the place, burdened with symbols, expressed the Socialist power, progress and determination.

A similar message carries the NDK Monument too, which is now hard to decode bearing in mind its crumbling state.

The 34-metre high statue is actually part of a bigger complex that starts from Alexander Osvoboditel Boulevard, thus we have a variety of scenes, representing the glory of the Soviet Army. At first, you see bronze human statues on their way to the war front and at the end, a Russian soldier, followed by Bulgarian woman and man, are elevated above all.

Presently, you won’t be able to take a walk around the statues, since the construction of the subway has overtaken the whole area, still you could enjoy the view while sitting on the stairs of the monument that is in praise of the Russian soldiers.

On the other side of the boulevard, Sofia University is situated.

No doubt that dancing is an universal language that brings people together.

Obviously, this is the ambitious project of Sofia Dance Week, organized by 1 Magazine. The festival is international and is made for a first time, so at the end of September, our capital will be trembling under the movements of professional dancers from all over Europe.

They will perform the latest and the most modern tendencies in the art of dancing, expressing different symbols and philosophies so that all we can understand their meaning. Or maybe not…
The event is so big that one stage would be not enough and various theaters and halls, including the National Palace of Culture, have been arranged for the purpose. The idea is clear – less talking and more action, inspiring even the toughest hearts.

Full information about the event and a program of the performances you will find on the official site of the festival which has an English version too:

http://sofiadanceweek.com/