Celebrating Bulgaria's Independence in Yambol

Saturday 3rd April Bulgaria celebrated 140 years of independence from the Ottoman rule. Yambol was in good spirit and proudly showing off their allegiance flying the Bulgarian flag. The stall seeliung them had some good business that day. Even bought on myself.

The Kukeri Festival Continues to Climax in Yambol

Kukeri is firmly well into the third day and reached its climax in Yambol this weekend. Bulgaria is famed for this cultural festival and it all happens in Yambol.

The Martenitsa Stall in Yambol

The 1st of March is Baba Marta Day in Bulgaria. Up and running is a Martenitsa Stall in Yambol selling the traditional red and white adornments presented to family and friend on that day.

Yambol Preparing for the Famous Kukeri Event

Bulgaria is steeped in tradition that goes back thousands of years. In Yambol each year the Kukeri Event takes place with preparations well under way. A feast of colour and scary dressings to send the evil spirits away.

One of Many Vilton Supermarket in Yambol (Ямбол)

There are many branches of Vilton in Yambol, (Ямбол), this is one of them. You know where you stand with this supermarket with reliable home grown service and product. It is nice to know that is is a Bulgarian firm serving Bulgarian people which is refreshing with the domination of German superstores trying to strangle out Vilton any way they can.

Yambol's Newest Church

This is Yambol's newest church and was awarded the Building of the Year in Bulgaria in 2016. I must admit walking around the site the design and layout was fantastic. Inside is typical style Bulgarian Orthodox style used by many locals of all ages. 

42C in Yambol's Kaufland Car Park Today

 

Felt quite hot today which was confirm by the reading seen in this pictures. this was in Yambol's Kaufland Supermarket Car Park under the shade of a tree I might add. It is forecast even hotter tomorrow with a Code Red weather warning for Yambol and various other parts of Bulgaria.

Simple Treasures in Bulgaria - Out on Kindle October 1st!

Simple Treasures in Bulgaria - By Martin Miller-Yianni

Paperback: £11.95 - Download: £3.75

Most, if not all travel books about Bulgaria cover well-trodden tourist resorts and understandingly ignoring lesser-known parts of Bulgaria. These 'fortunate' neglected areas, where tourism hasn't affected, remain in my and many others' opinion the most treasured parts of Bulgaria. The writing contains a variety of titles ranging from an epitaph of a simple Bulgarian village farmer to a traditional Bulgarian recipe with a local twist; articles giving humorous moments to more serious issues that Bulgarians have to contend with. It is seen with a clear view of how Bulgarians live and work both in towns and villages remaining firmly family and community bound.

This is also available from October 1st in Kindle format!!!!

You can pre-order now!

Just click on this link:
Simple-Treasures In Bulgaria

A Boiler Factory in Yambol

This Boiler Factory is situated just opposite the ABC Builders' Merchant about 2 km Southwest of Yambol town centre. They make wood burning shower units and supply the Bulgarian domestic market with exports to Romania and Greece. In recession hit time, people still need stand alone hot water showers and of course in many places electric and gas supplies are not connected so these wood burning systems fit the bill.

Log Laden Van in Yambol

One does wonder whether this van would make it to its destination with such a load. With the weight of logs and the state of the roads in Yambol some serious under carriage damage is inevitable it seems. This however is Yambol, Bulgaria and such things happen without any worry for some reason.

Block 63 In Yambol

Block 63 now has its turn. Nothing too spectacular with this one, a small block that is tidy enough and comfortable inside. They used to be affordable but prices have risen beyond the means of most  Bulgarians over the last 10 years due to demand from foreigners like me.

A Rust Stained White Gate In Yambol

Yet another unique gate in Yambol, this time a distinctive white rust stained feature. Why hasn't it been given a new coat? Simple, this is Bulgaria and if you know anything about this country then you will know the answer to that. If you don't then you should look at a few more posts on this blog.

Young Buck Needed In Yambol And Bulgaria

With the population fo Bulgaria the lowest since the 1950s, it is indeed a good sign that there is young buck raring to go as advertised here. The trouble is we need young does as well. the Gypsy population is in a boom but many Bulgarians are off working abroad and many knowing they can't afford to have children don't!

A View Of The Balkan Mountains from Yambol

Yambol is situated on the Thracian Plain therefore is relatively flat although there are some big hillls scattered in and around the City. Looking to the north from one of these hills you can clearly see the Balkan mountains in the distance just beyond the town of Sliven. These are snowcapped in the winter and also have ski resorts there.

Yambol's Army's Emblem

This emblem is fixed the wall on the offices of Yambol's army barracks therefore I presume is the emblem of the Bulgarian army. 1886 is of course the year of Bulgaria's independence from the Ottoman Turks and the picture is of the Bulgarian version of St George slaying the dragon. By the way St George's Day (George Name Day) is on the 6th May and St George is the patron Saint of the Bulgarian Army.

The Old Entrance To The Yambol Army Barracks

This is the old entrance gates to the Yambol Army base and is as far as I can work out only used by a skeleton staff now. Under NATO cover looking inside the ground it is like a ghost town with derelict building and weed-covered grounds. The gate however seems to be kept in prime condition with the Bulgarian and NATO emblems complimenting each other. Bulgaria became a NATO member in 2004 by the way.

A Sign Of Death In Yambol

This is often seen on gates of Yambol houses. The black material is a sign of death in the family of that house or household. I still feel quite sombre seeing these on a regular basis but it is part of an openness of mourning and celebrating their life in Yambol and Bulgaria

Looking Down Georgi C Rakovski Street In Yambol

This is a view of a pedestrian way named after Georgi C Rakovski and runs right through the centre of Yambol City. Thousands use this path to get to and from work and the shops many living in the apartment blocks that run alongside and at either end of the path. It is such a pleasure to have a place where no vehicles other than prams, bicycles, skates, skateboard and battery powered children's cars roam.

Note:
Georgi C. Rakovski was a 19th-century Bulgarian revolutionary and writer and an important figure of the Bulgarian National Revival and the resistance against Ottoman rule.

A Yambol Fence Repaired

This is part of the fencing surround of the main Yambol hospital toward the north of the City. For some reason the fence has been blocked up with stones and bricks. I can only assume that this is to stop the stray dogs that go around in packs from entering the grounds. Typical Bulgarian workmanship as you can see. 

Kukeri In Yambol

It was a rainy Yambol for the Kukeri festival that took place today. This didn't put of the contestants in this unique Bulgarian event. A day of colour, movement, music and to insistent clanging belts of bells that formed a cacophony of sound throughout the city centre. There are 1700 visitor that were forecast to watch the bad spirits of winter being driven away and welcome in spring.