Associate Professor from Western Carolina University

visiting Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria

as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar

I saw the news about the German Christmas Market in Sofia that would run from Nov 19 to Dec 21 from 11 am to 10 pm every day this year in the city garden, right behind the “One Man” LCD display art structure. Since I was in town, I went there to take a look. The entrance required an EU Green Certificate, but a CDC vaccination card was also accepted and I was allowed admission. There was also news saying that quite a few Christmas Markets in Germany were cancelled due to the surging infections, while the rest opened with caution. After the college courses went online in Bulgaria a few weeks ago, the third wave was coming down, which was a good sign. However, we still need to be cautious and it was exactly the measures we took that would keep things in check in the long run.

The market was very lively with traditional German foods, drinks, crafts, and singing, etc. Outside the market, the town was also getting into the Christmas spirit with decorations. In the U.S., Nov 25 (Thu) would be the Thanksgiving holiday this year with Nov 26 (Fri) being Black Friday with sales in stores. Christmas decorations would be put on after Thanksgiving. There is no Thanksgiving in Bulgaria, although a few stores may still offer Black Friday as a fashionable thing to do.

When I walked by the “Ivan Vazov” National Theater, there was a group of people doing the traditional dancing. Many onlookers would sway their bodies with the music (apparently they all knew the dance, no matter their age) or simply join the dancing circle. It was such a joyous activity.