Figure 1.--This portrait was taken in a Bulgarian city park, we think during the 1950s. We are guessing that a photographer had set up a spot to take portraits. That was very common in Europe before World War II. at the time not everyone had cameras. What is interesting is what happened to small propritors after the Communists seize power. Did they become state employees or were individual small scale operators allowed to continue their activities.

We see children in a range of family outings. This includes something as minor as visits to city parks. We know very little about the parks, but we have found images taken in the parks. There to seem to be some plesant well-tended parks. We are not sure when they first appeared. We do not have any 19th century images about the 19th century, but we do see 20th century images. Sofia in particular has many lovely parks and gardens. The most impressive park located in the central part of city is the Boris’s Garden Park named so in honor of King Boris III (1918–1943). In the park Ariana pond is located where one can go boating or water wheeling from spring to late autumn. In winter the pond turns to the biggest open-air skating-rink in the city. There are tennis-courts, swimming pools, bicycle racing tracks, the Bulgarian Army Stadium and Vasil Levski National Stadium. The beautiful water lilies pond is Sofia citizens’ most popular place of romantic walks. Parks are something that Communist regimes often give some atteton to, the idea being that they improved the life style of the working class. We do nte that the Communit regime which seized power after World War II (1945) established new parks and reserves. Some of the bet known parks are in the nountains of western Bulgaria. The economic failure of socialist economics of course seriouly affected the living standards of the population as well as the Governments ability to finance more than show case projects. We have no information on national parks in the country side. We do see a lot of family snapshots at beach vacations. Bulgaria has a Black Sea coast and a reatively warm climate, leading tomthe coat being called the Bulagrian Riviera. We also see family outings into the countryside. This was somewhat limited by the fact that so few Bugarians had family cars. Under Communist rule virtually no private citizens had a family car. We also see see families groups in rural areas. We think this was primarily visits to grandparents and the rural communities from which many city dwellers came. The Bulgarian Communist Party like other Communist regimes pursued a poliy of industrialization meaning urbanization. But like other Communist regimes, these industrial regimes rarelyp roved profitable meaning they could not pay workers reasonable salaries. We do not see a lot of walking trips into the countrside as was popular in coutries like Britain and Germany, but all we have to go on at this time is the photographic record.

Beach Vacations

We do see a lot of family snapshots at beach vacations. Bulgaria has a 378 kilometer (km) Black Sea coast and a relatively warm climate. We see references to the Bulgarian Riviera. We also see family outings into the countryside. This was somewhat limited by the fact that so few Bugarians had family cars. Under Communist rule virtually no private citizens had a family car. Bulgaria's eastern border is a Black Sea coast which has many attractive beaches, described in the travel magazines as 'golden sun-kissed beaches. Some of the most popular are: Bolata Beach, Balchik, Golden Sands Beach. Harmanite Beach, Irikali, Karadere Beach, Marina Dinevi (a yacht harbor and а resort complex at St Vlas village), Pomorie Beach, Saxa Beach, Sinemorets Veleka Beach, Smokinya Beach, and Sunny/Nessebar Beaches. Balchik is a charming town which boats small but charming beaches. Queen Mary built a palace here. Small beaches are alla long the 2 km seaside promenade, each with a popular beach bar. The largest beach is Central Beach on the city outskirts. Bolata Beach is located near Kaliakra Cape, part of a natural and archaeological reserve. This includes one of Bulgaria's few marine resrrves. This is the northern-most in the country. It is shaped like a minature bay, surrounded by a massive rock massif with cave openings-creating a near perfect semi-circle. Golden Sands (Zlotni Pyasatci) Beach is located at Varna, one of Bulgria's most important Black Sea resorts. Bulgarians call it th capital of the Black Sea for irs cultural and economic imprtance. The city has a black sand beach, but Golden Sands further from the city is more popular. Bulgarians insist it is the best neach in Europe. Haranite Beach is located at Sozopol, 35 km south of Burgas. The smallerbTown Beach is located nearby. Sozolpol is one of Bulgria's oldest cities. Irikali Beach is a rare still undeveloped beach along the Bulgarian coast. This is the beach for those seeking bsolitude, nature, and wildlife. Free camping is permitted. . Karadere Beach is located close to Byals and Goritsa. It is not a wild beach, but is undeveloped and remote. There are few tourists seeking facilities, but the beach attracts free spirits. Beach camping is permitted and one might here guitars and bongos late into the night. Saxa Beach is located at Burgas, the country's laegest port and an important cultural center. Saxa and Burgas are one of Bulgria's leading Black Sea resorts. Sinemorets is Bugaria's southern most beach located at a small village close to the Turkish border. The village is part of the Dtrandzha Nature Park and boats a small artistic community. Silistar Beach is located nearby. Sunny and Nessebar Beaches are located near together at Nessebar, a World Heritage Site because of iss Greek Byzantine, and Ottomman history is called the Pearl of the Black Sea. Summy Beachnis the most popular beach in Bilgaria and is located just a few km from Nessebar. it has some of the few remaining sand dunes in the country.

Hiking

We do not see a lot of walking/hiking trips into the countrside as was popular in coutries like Britain and Germany, but all we have to go on at this time is the photographic record.

Home Visits

We also see see families groups in rural areas. We think this was primarily visits to grandparents and the rural communities from which many city dwellers came. The Bulgarian Communist Party like other Communist regimes pursued a poliy of industrialization meaning urbanization. But like other Communist regimes, these industrial regimes rarely proved efficient or profitable meaning they could not pay workers reasonable salaries.

National Parks

We have no information on national parks in the country side. Bulgaria is a small country, but with many diverse terrain feature, including a Black Sea coastline, a mountainous interior, and rivers, including the Danube one of Europe's most kimportant rivrrs. .

Parks

This includes something as minor as visits to city parks. We know very little about the parks, but we have found images taken in the parks. There to seem to be some plesant well-tended parks. We are not sure when they first appeared. We do not have any 19th century images about the 19th century, but we do see 20th century images. Sofia in particular has many lovely parks and gardens. The most impressive park located in the central part of city is the Boris’s Garden Park named so in honor of King Boris III (1918–1943). In the park Ariana pond is located where one can go boating or water wheeling from spring to late autumn. In winter the pond turns to the biggest open-air skating-rink in the city. There are tennis-courts, swimming pools, bicycle racing tracks, the Bulgarian Army Stadium and Vasil Levski National Stadium. The beautiful water lilies pond is Sofia citizens’ most popular place of romantic walks. Parks are something that Communist regimes often give some attention to, the idea beung that they improved the life style of the working class. We do note that the Communist regime which seized power after World War II (1945) established new parks and reserves. Some of the bet known parks are in the nountains of western Bulgaria. The economic failure of socialist economics of course seriouly affected the living standards of the population as well as the Governments ability to finance more than show case projects.

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Created: 10:30 PM 2/23/2017
Last updated: 10:30 PM 2/23/2017