Bulgaria is a country that usually goes unnoticed, but has played an important role in the history of Southeastern Europe. There are entries about the – then still future – Bulgarian lands in Thracian and Roman antiquity, about the Bulgarian medieval state (618-1393) with its impressive cultural influence and special relationship with Byzantium, about the long period of Ottoman dominance (1393-1878), closed with the Bulgarian national awakening the nineteenth century, the Bulgarian kingdom with its accelerated social development and territorial ambitions and frustrations (1878-1944), the period of stagnation under Soviet-Russian dominance (1944-1989) and finally the period of integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures with the cumbersome establishment of democratic institutions and a free market, finally crowned by Bulgaria's accession to the European Union. In addition, the dictionary also pays attention to the relations with neighboring countries and the great powers, as well as to developments in Bulgarian literature, architecture, cinema, and arts.


Historical Dictionary of Bulgaria, Fourth Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section contains cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country's politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Bulgaria.