Willamette World News

Just two decades ago, Bulgaria’s politicians praised it as the Soviet Union’s closest ally and American commentators condemned it as a slavish communist satellite. Now, the Cold War era of poisoned umbrella assassinations is over and pragmatism is the common denominator of foreign policy. Bulgaria, a transitioning country, places its faith in a trinity of [...]

Just two decades ago, Bulgaria’s politicians praised it as the Soviet Union’s closest ally and American commentators condemned it as a slavish communist satellite. Now, the Cold War era of poisoned umbrella assassinations is over and pragmatism is the common denominator of foreign policy. Bulgaria, a transitioning country, places its faith in a trinity of [...]

In Bulgaria, Christmas (Koleda or more formally Rozhdestvo Hristovo, “Nativity of Jesus”) is celebrated on 25 December (unlike in some other Eastern Orthodox countries) and is preceded by Christmas Eve (Badni vecher).
This is a quick photo-entry in which I recount how my family spent Christmas Eve. If you are interested in Bulgarian Christmas cuisine and [...]

On November 19, the ancient town of Kuystendil was shaken by controversy. A large billboard of two bare-chested men, in an erotic embrace, greeted some 50,000 citizens. The ad showed one of the participants biting his muscular partner on the chin, their naked bodies set against a black background. Was this a protest for gay [...]

On the 5th of November, Bulgarians honored the male St. Archangel’s “All Souls’ Day” (Архангелова мъжка задушница). The day is commemorated the Saturday before St. Archangel’s Day, thus the name.
The religious festival is one of the three Major All Souls’ Days (Големи Задушници), which orthodox Christians mark annually. On this day, Bulgarians pay their [...]

A few weeks ago, a piece of news concerning the newly independent country of Montenegro surfaced. Bulgaria had threatened to refuse signing their “Stabilisation and Association Agreement” (SAA), which was one of the fundamental steps for Montenegro’s EU application to advance. Why? Because of a letter.

On Friday, Bulgaria’s parliament adopted an amendment of the Criminal Code, which provides for strict punishment for everybody who tries to bribe in any way the voters on all upcoming elections in the country.
The penalty for receiving payment for a vote stands at a maximum of 1000 Bulgarian levs ($724) or a minimum of six [...]