National identity remains key unifying factor for Bulgarians

According to a survey by the Trend Research Centre polling agency, commissioned by The 24 Chasa, national identity remains the strongest unifying factor among Bulgarians. Traditions, history and language continue to play a central role.

In terms of self-identification, 83% of respondents said they consider themselves Bulgarian, while 9% identified as European, 4% as Balkan and 3% as citizens of the world.

Asked which community they feel most closely connected to, 47% chose Bulgaria as a whole, while 30% pointed to their town or village, 12% to their wider region, and 7% to Europe.

Traditions were cited as the strongest unifying factor (71%), followed by shared history (69%) and the Bulgarian language (57%).

Around 60% of respondents believe that Bulgarian identity and culture are under threat. Of these, 42% said national culture is 'rather threatened', while 18% consider it to be seriously endangered.

The survey found that two-thirds of Bulgarians said they feel most connected to their national culture during national holidays.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov