Bulgaria – Finding My Roots

София, България – Sofia, Bulgaria

History and DNA Cousins  –  9-11 May 2019

One should question who we are even if we think we know the answer. We soon become part of the globe and its history. Unraveling a shared past brings us closer together. 

I last visited Bulgaria in September of 2016. I fell in love with Sofia and Plovdiv, all of Bulgaria for that matter. I did not know at the time that one of my closest DNA cousins is Bulgarian. Primal Instinct, subconscious reaction? It is exciting to be revisiting Bulgaria and meeting my cousins. (more…)

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

6 September 2016 – Unification Day

Plovdiv’s unique architecture of Bulgarian Revival Period.

Plovdiv’s unique architecture of Bulgarian Revival Period.

Bulgarian Unification Day commemorates the unification of Eastern Rumelia (Southern Bulgaria) and Bulgaria in 1885. Bulgaria was never pleased with the terms of the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, when they lost parts of southern Bulgaria to the Ottoman Empire. Bulgarians gave up hopes for Macedonia and the rest of Thrace and concentrated on regaining East Roumelia. In 1885, a group of former revolutionaries organized in Plovdiv (the capital of Eastern Roumelia) and on 6 September the palace in Plovdiv was surrounded. Prince Alexander prepared for war with the Ottoman Empire and agreed to become the leader of a Unified Bulgaria. Bulgaria successfully defended its interests on the battlefield in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. Thus, today we celebrate Unification Day.    (more…)