Bulgaria
Life’s little graces: Small Rain, by Garth Greenwell, reviewed
An unnamed narrator, confined to hospital with a torn aorta, reminisces about his past life in Bulgaria, his love of poetry and the happy domesticity he shared with his partner
The Karakachan sheepdog is a match for any bear – but not for modern society
The fearless breed, descended from the Molossus of Epirus described by Aristotle, may soon disappear from Central Europe, along with the flocks it guards
The assassination of Georgi Markov bore all the hallmarks of a Russian wet job
The Bulgarian dissident sailed too close to the wind with his revelations about Tudor Zhivkov in 1978, provoking the dictator to enlist Russian help in eliminating him
Bulgarian Tsar: why the West is not in decline
Bulgaria has rarely been the master of its own fate. Throughout history, neighbouring powers have often succeeded in imposing their…
Meet the punk comic taking on Bulgaria's elite
Inconclusive election results following a snap election; a politician at the helm who made his name on satirical TV shows;…
The joy of Japanese-style rugby
Proud son of Wexford he may be, and of doughty farming stock too, but the heart sinks at the prospect…
Sex behind the scenes at Sofia’s National Palace of Culture
Garth Greenwell’s debut novel is as dreary and oppressive as the Soviet-era apartment buildings among which it takes place. But…
The beautiful Balkans on horseback
There’s no better way to see Bulgaria’s mountains
Spectator letters: Press regulation, heroic Bulgarians and the case for Scotch on the rocks
Beyond the law Sir: In your leading article of 28 June you make the point that the hacking trial demonstrates…
Where I’m looking for the next great banking blow-up
A reader likens me to Dr Pangloss, the quack philosopher in Voltaire’s Candide who insisted that ‘all is for the…
Ed Miliband's immigration nightmare
Victor Spirescu came to Britain last week looking for work washing cars, but seems to have landed himself with a…
The long and winding story of the Danube
For much of its history the Danube has been a disappointment. It looks so tempting on the map but, far…
Portrait of the week
Home George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that average energy bills would be brought £50 lower through government…
