READING ROOM: IT'S CHRISTMAS: Chocolate connoisseurs create Christmas cheer

When I first arrived in Bulgaria, one of the first things I noticed was how much Bulgarians love chocolate. They love to give it, they love to receive it and they love to eat it. Boxes of chocolates are presented on birthdays, name days and conference meeting days. It is shared to celebrate the birth of a new baby, the arrival of a new neighbour, the purchase of a new house, a new car or even a new haircut. Chestito!

Putting the zest back into Zlatitsa

Located about 80km east of Sofia, along the Bourgas road and around the mountain townships of Sarantsi, Dolno Kamartsi and Chelopech lies the village of Zlatitsa. With a population of some 6000 people, this sleepy-looking town is anything but. Especially if your name is Tanya Petrova. As one of two children and the only daughter of Dilyan Petrov and Ivanka Petrova, Tanya was born, raised and has lived most of her

Getting ready to succeed in Bulgaria

When one hears the words orphans and orphanages, most people think of babies and children, probably at about the age of five and under. Images are conjured up of poor living conditions, large overcrowded and run-down buildings, institutions where people are taken to but never leave. In Bulgaria, once children turn 18, they are no longer permitted to stay in the institutions, and they are forced to find work

This curse is a mixed blessing

Film Review

If, for no other reason, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion is a cinematic event because it's the latest Woody Allen film. His excursions into labyrinthine plotting and slyly wise ironic exchanges are getting ever more rare and even more unwelcome on the distant shores of Bulgarian theatres.