Authentic Bulgaria – spirit, culture and history combined in one
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Stunning nature, ancient history, and rich culture – this is Bulgaria. You have to discover it out of the big Black sea and mountain resorts, in the small settlements, where you will find golden towers of cathedrals and remains of Roman baths. In those places vanguard jazz musicians interpret the best of the folklore traditions and present it with Bulgarian rakia and sparkling wine. Bulgaria is a country of the old and the new. Thrace, ancient Greece, Rhome, Byzantium Empire, Ottoman Empire – all of them had left their own mark. The land of today’s Bulgaria meant for the ancient Greeks four things – a source of valuable gold from the oldest mines in Europe, strong horses from the Thracian fields, the home of Orpheus, who had brought the music, and the roots of Dionysus - god of wine and lover of peace and happiness. All these strange and at first sight conflicting influences impact the Bulgarian kitchen, music and hospitality. These are aspect of the culture, which you cannot feel from a picture or a short description. You have to try it yourselves! They outline the authenticity of our country.Authentic Bulgaria is the name of an independent trademark for quality in tourism, awarded to small hotels, private lodgings and catering outlets, complying with set regulations for authenticity and original tourist product. The VEGA Consortium (Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance), financed by USAID (US Agency for International Development) is in charge of the project which covers development and implementation of an independent trademark for tourist quality and a private system of certification. Kamelia Kaloyaqnova, head of the project, says: ”The quality trademark is a system used in many countries across the world and we use the best of foreign experience. The programme is designed to give an aid to small and medium tourist business and marketing high-quality tourism in Bulgaria. The term “authentic” means everything that is different, has its original character and is unique in being originally Bulgarian. In actual fact the quality trademark is an independent system, complementing the system of government categorization. It is a licensing committee that awards the quality trademark. Another good point is that the tourist objects are given a list of recommendations on doing a prosperous business.” The main purpose is boosting tourist entrepreneurship. Special attention is given to private lodgings and small hotels, offering comfort and typical Bulgarian hospitality. “There are seven areas under review. Further to accommodation facilities they include mostly what cannot be” touched”, but can be felt and appreciated. Here belong hospitality, standard of service, a variety of services and entertainment on offer, food, local trades and crafts, opportunities to communicate with locals. We regard all this as authentic. The sign of “ Authentic Bulgaria” is a Bulgarian rose, inscribed in an ancient Roman coin, symbolizing Bulgarian history and culture down the ages. The quality trademark has three grades- bronze, silver and golden”, specifies Kamelia Todorova. VEGA Consortium published a relevant guidebook, entitled “Authentic Bulgaria”. Entries have a rather special characteristic in at least one of the four areas- hospitality, cuisine, atmosphere and entertainment. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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