St. George's Day, and the Bulgarian Army’s Day

📣 Traveler notes

Bulgaria is a Balkan European country located west of the Black Sea and south of the Danube River.

• The holiday is a recognized Bulgarian national holiday.
• St. George's Day commemorations are often linked to the Day of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.
• Celebrations frequently include a military parade, usually held in the capital.
• The country is generally considered conservative.
• State-recognized holidays include March 3rd, May 1st, May 6th, and May 24th.
• Travellers should be mindful of local political sensitivities and avoid discussing potentially controversial national or historical topics.
• Use greetings such as "dobar den" (good day) in smaller towns. While Bulgarians are generally friendly, avoid initiating small talk with service staff to prevent misinterpretation. Note that in Bulgaria, nodding often means 'no' and shaking the head means 'yes'.