First Bulgarian Empire | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
First Bulgarian Empire
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written
language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
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while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using
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This video uses Google TTS en-US-Standard-D voice.
SUMMARY
=======
The First Bulgarian Empire (Old Bulgarian: ц︢рьство бл︢гарское, ts'rstvo bl'garskoe) was a medieval Bulgarian state that existed in southeastern Europe between the 7th and 11th centuries AD. It was founded in 681 when Bulgar tribes led by Asparuh moved to the north-eastern Balkans. There they secured Byzantine recognition of their right to settle south of the Danube by defeating – possibly with the help of local South Slavic tribes – the Byzantine army led by Constantine IV. At the height of its power, Bulgaria spread from the Danube Bend to the Black Sea and from the Dnieper River to the Adriatic Sea.
As the state solidified its position in the Balkans, it entered into a centuries-long interaction, sometimes friendly and sometimes hostile, with the Byzantine Empire. Bulgaria emerged as Byzantium's chief antagonist to its north, resulting in several wars. The two powers also enjoyed periods of peace and alliance, most notably during the Second Arab siege of Constantinople, where the Bulgarian army broke the siege and destroyed the Arab army, thus preventing an Arab invasion of Southeastern Europe. Byzantium had a strong cultural influence on Bulgaria, which also led to the eventual adoption of Christianity in 864. After the disintegration of the Avar Khaganate, the country expanded its territory northwest to the Pannonian Plain. Later the Bulgarians confronted the advance of the Pechenegs and Cumans, and achieved a decisive victory over the Magyars, forcing them to establish themselves permanently in Pannonia.
During the late 9th and early 10th centuries, Simeon I achieved a string of victories over the Byzantines. Thereafter, he was recognized with the title of Emperor, and proceeded to expand the state to its greatest extent. After the annihilation of the Byzantine army in the battle of Anchialus in 917, the Bulgarians laid siege to Constantinople in 923 and 924. The Byzantines, however, eventually recovered, and in 1014, under Basil II, inflicted a crushing defeat on the Bulgarians at the Battle of Kleidion. By 1018, the last Bulgarian strongholds had surrendered to the Byzantine Empire, and the First Bulgarian Empire had ceased to exist. It was succeeded by the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1185.
After the adoption of Christianity, Bulgaria became the cultural center of Slavic Europe. Its leading cultural position was further consolidated with the invention of the Glagolitic and Early Cyrillic alphabets shortly after in the capital Preslav, and literature produced in Old Bulgarian soon began spreading north. Old Bulgarian became the lingua franca of much of Eastern Europe and it came to be known as Old Church Slavonic. In 927, the fully independent Bulgarian Patriarchate was officially recognized.
The Bulgars and other non-Slavic tribes in the empire gradually adopted an essentially foreign Slavic language. Since the late 9th century, the names Bulgarians and Bulgarian gained prevalence and became permanent designations for the local population, both in literature and in common parlance. The development of Old Church Slavonic literacy had the effect of preventing the assimilation of the South Slavs into neighbouring cultures, while stimulating the formation of a distinct Bulgarian identity.
The Tsarichina Hole (First Human Found in Suspended Animation in Bulgaria)
For two years beginning in 1990, a corrupt government in Bulgaria used taxpayer money, to finance a private treasure hunt. Where X marked the spot, in a farmer's field outside the village of Tsarachina, units of the army were used to excavate the soil. What they found made national news, popularizing the village, as Bulgaria's Area 51. This is the inside story, of the Tsarachina Hole.
Treasure hunting is something of a national pastime in Bulgaria. Archeological maps are available in libraries and museums, revealing the locations, of ancient settlements and ancient graves. For more than 100 years, prospective treasures hunter have been required by the government, to register any find involving coins. One lucky hunter unearthed a cache of eight hundred pieces of gold.
The most elite of these prospectors, seek the hidden treasure, of one of two kings from Bulgaria's history, Czar Shishman, or Czar Samuil. King Shishman is said to have buried several tons of gold, immediately prior to his battle with the Turks, but it is the treasure of Samuil, which was supposedly buried at Tsarachina, a country village with a royal name, located 30 kilometers from the nation's capital, Sofia. At the urging of a prospector, who had a connection in the Politbureau, a military contingent was dispatched to the region, under the command of Colonel Tzvetko Kanev.
From Sofia one takes a train to the town of Kostinbrod, and then a road heading west, and then a very narrow path along the side of a mountain, before one reaches Tsarachina, a picturesque village typical of the Balkans, where pine trees formed a background, behind houses with tiled roofs. An amount equal to nine million US dollars, was spent on the military excavation. They called it, Operation Sun Ray.
Into earth and granite, they dug with hand tools as well as digging machines. Their first surprise, at a depth of six meters, was to encounter a smooth ceiling. This led to the excavation of a pre-existing passage, descending underground... not in a straight line, but in a spiral. At a depth of twelve meters they uncovered object number one'. It was a triangular stone tablet. It was covered in the strange hieroglyphics of an unknown language, which no one could translate, until the arrival of Baba Vanga.
Baba Vanga was the clairvoyant, who had predicted where the treasure would be found. Now she was brought in, to interpret the inscription. The tablet was a warning, Vanga said, warning of a biohazard to human life, for anyone digging further. The military dismissed her concerns, and resumed the removal of earth. When the tunnel reached a length of one hundred and eighty meters, they found the soil mixed with salt, and soon uncovered a circular barrier, a huge slab of rock in the shape of a concave lens. Using sledgehammers, they broke through, revealing a chamber, with walls as smooth as glass, and a floor apparently made of solid silver.
Although they could clearly see the chamber, they would not be permitted to enter. There was an invisible wall. Any soldier who attempted to cross the threshold, was thrown back with a force so violent, that he would be thrown to the dirt floor. A door could be seen at the far end of the chamber, on which was engraved the image of a giant. Those familiar hieroglyphics covered the walls. In the interpretation of Baba Vanga, this portal confined a primordial humanoid, a creature neither male nor female. She claimed that the hermaphrodite, waiting just beyond the door, was the first human being to walk the planet Earth, and that it was still alive. It was sealed here by its creators, genetic engineers from the stars, who were resposible for creating Homo Sapiens.
Vanga said the first human could not be killed, and to disturb it, or to make it angry, might well put in danger, all life on the planet. Whatever evidence convinced the military, to take one of her warnings seriously, has been classified by the Bulgarian government, but on November 19th, 1992, Colonel Tzvetko Kanev ordered that the tunnel be filled in with concrete, from the bottom to the top.
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Travel to Macedonia
Travel to Macedonia
kosmostrip.net
ITINERARY: SOFIA - SKOPJE - STRUGA - OHRID - BITOLA - STRUMITSA - MELNIK - SOFIA
DAY 1: Sofia
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Guided sightseeing tour of the city centre. Visit to Alexander Nevski Cathedral - one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction; the Parliament Square, Russian Church, St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by the Roman emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the National Theatre, former Royal Palace, the Presidency, etc. Free time in the city centre and main trade area around Vitosha Boulevard. Upon request - panoramic evening tour “Sofia by night” and dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 2: Sofia - Skopje - Ohrid
Breakfast. Departure for Macedonia. Arrival in the Skopje at noon. Walking tour in Skopje, including the old quarter Varosh, the Skopsko Kale Fortress, and the Church of St. Spas (the Savior). Departure to Ohrid. Arrival in Ohrid - the Pearl of Macedonia - a town with century-old history and traditions, combined with the incredible beauty of the Ohrid Lake and the warm hospitality of its residents. Accommodation in the area. Overnight at Ohrid Riviera.
DAY 3: Ohrid - St. Naum Monastery - Struga
Breakfast. In the morning - Walking tour in the old part of Ohrid, including the Tsar Samuil’s Fortress; St. Clement Church - a site under the protection of UNESCO, for its authentic architecture and frescoes; St. Pantheleimon Church; St. Sophia Church; the ancient theatre and the old town market. Free time. In the afternoon a tour to the St. Naum Monastery, situated on the southeastern bank of the Ohrid Lake. Visit to St. Archangels Church, where the tomb of the healer and miracle maker St. Naum is located. After that optional visit to the town of Struga. Overnight in Ohrid.
DAY 4: Ohrid - Bitola - Strumitsa - Melnik
Breakfast. Departure for Bulgaria. On the way – stop at the Biliana springs. After that - a sightseeing tour of Bitola, the second largest town of Macedonia, that has preserved the spirit of the traditional old architecture and old Macedonian crafts. Optional visit to the ruins of the ancient town Heraclea Lyncestis, founded by Phillip II. Arrival in Melnik in the evening. Accommodation and overnight in Melnik.
DAY 5: Melnik - Rila Monastery - Sofia
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Melnik with a visit to Kordopulova Museum House and wine tasting. Departure for Sofia. On the road visit to Rila Monastery - the most beautiful and the most important monastery in Bulgaria. Visit to the monastery church Nativity of the Virgin. One of its greatest valuables is the wooden iconostasis, some 14th and 15th century icons, wall paintings, made by the famous artist Zahari Zograph. Walk around the monastery - Hrelyo’s Tower, the old kitchen, and the history museum. Arrival in Sofia in the evening. Accommodation and overnight in Sofia.
DAY 6: Sofia (optional tours to Plovdiv or Sofia surroundings)
Breakfast. A free day in Sofia for visiting museums and tourist sites, or shopping. Optional tours from Sofia:
1) One day tour to Plovdiv - sightseeing tour of Plovdiv. A place of special interest is the old part of the town. Brilliant examples of the Bulgarian national revival period are preserved here. One can sit among the ruins of the ancient Roman theatre and feel the atmosphere of an extinct world. Free time. Drive back to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.
2) Half day tour to Boyana Church and the National History Museum. National Museum of History in Sofia is one of the largest history museums on the Balkans with 650.000 exhibits and the largest archaeological and historical archive. The Museum’s collections are its greatest treasure. They comprise materials from Prehistoric ages till nowadays. The National Museum of History was established on 1973. In 2000, the museum shifted to a new location in the former residence of Todor Zhivkov in Boyana. Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church situated in the Boyana Suburb, near Sofia. The monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This site is one of the most completely and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art. The frescoes in the church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. Overnight in Sofia.
7 DAY - Sofia (departure)
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and departure.
History of the Jews in Bulgaria | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
History of the Jews in Bulgaria
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Jews have had a continuous presence in historic Bulgarian lands since before the 2nd century CE, and have often played an important part in the history of Bulgaria.
Today, the majority of Bulgarian Jews live in Israel, while modern-day Bulgaria continues to host a modest Jewish population.
Holiday roadtrip on Balkans - Albania Makedonia Greece Bulgaria - Sunny Beach aquapark paradise
Everything you did not know about the Balkans!!!
Watch it, Read it, Share it!
music is Kungs - Don't You Know
Im not having any profits from views.
Geography: Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Slovakia
On this trip you’ll get to know a diversified and fascinating Balkan region where the weather is the beautiful and sunny. As one of Balkans most rugged coastlines, Albania is renowned the world over for its spectacular rock formations and secluded bays, alternating with beautiful sandy beaches, old villages, castles and historic amphitheater, alongside unique stone houses in quiet. Balkan region is the perfect for the family destination.
Duration: 3 weeks
Best travel time: july-September
Climate: Mediterranean
When it comes to travel by car takes its from the Serbia-Bulgaria border to the Black Sea to the Balkan Mountains.
Countries of balkan is not typical for a western European country. The importance of culture, language and identity is really strong there, thats what makes ours journey there so unique.
There are plenty of ATMs available, and credit cards are widely accepted.
Wi-Fi is available in hostels and hotels. If your accommodation doesn’t provide wi-fi, they’ll probably have some pcs you can access for a small fee. Also, local coffee shops and restaurants generally offer wi-fi, so everyone can easily stay connected.
WHAT TO SEE
Each coastal landscape and village has its own charm, of course, but you don’t need to travel along the entire Balkans – especially if you don’t have much time due to limited holidays available to you and your family. With the suggestions we make, you’ll get a good impression of what that beautiful peace this remarkable land has to offer. The following places give you an overview and information to special spots, walks etc. If you need more information, just ask us in comments.
Historic and medieval villages:
Bulgaria Nessebar
Nessebar is an old, historic city on the Black Sea coast in the province of Burgas. Often they are known as the pearl of the Black Sea or Dubrovnik Bulgaria. Due to its unique historical value, the city was in 1983 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Old, historic part is located on the peninsula, which is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land formed by the people.
The first inhabitants of the peninsula were the ancient Thracians.
Albania - Butrint
Butrint is an archaeological pearl of this country, very extensive ruins of the ancient city.
The city was formed in 12th century BCE and enrolled in the pages of history as a great and powerful, first Greek and then Roman city. The city was especially popular and visited by Julius Caesar.
The most important places to explore:
the ruins of the sanctuary of Asclepius with the IV in. BC
the ruins of the Greek Theatre (later processed into Roman) of III in. BC
great Christian basilica, early Christian church from the sixth century.
Roman baths from the II.
baptistery with mosaics from the sixth century. (place where baptisms took place, the second most important in his time, after Constantinople)
gates (including Lion's Gate, preserved in almost perfect condition)
acropolis, inhabited from the VIII in. BC
medieval Venetian castle from the fourteenth century.
Macedonia - Ohrid
Ohrid is situated on the site of two ancient cities.
It is a very tangible through the visible monuments, and those invisible, because almost every historic building stands on an even older. It is a magical city, full of still undiscovered places and secrets. For centuries, intermingled with a wide variety of culture. So the city has its own unique atmosphere. Ochrid together with the Lake Ohrid are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is worth to see the ancient amphitheater, numerous churches, medieval fortress of Tsar Samuel and the Old City.
What more? Attractions
Aqua Park „AQUA PARADISE” Nessebar
The beginning of the park is not so far in 2006 and since then they have made expansion, there are added new attractions, have increased and continue to diversify the pleasures and entertainments and our main goal is to make you feel in a real Water Paradise, no matter what ages you are.
Attractions
If you are looking for the beautiful women We are sure that you can find them in Aqua Paradise.
Bulgaria Nesebar live at night. There are a lot of bars, karaoke clubs and restaurants where you can eat something and dance.
If you are brave and like to discover a 100% culture. I suggest to try the delicacy Albanian (goat head with the brain), different kinds of cheeses from Serbia, drink Raki with the local Greeks and sing karaoke with the Bulgarians.
watch my other video from Mallorca here
Second Bulgarian Empire | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Second Bulgarian Empire
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Second Bulgarian Empire (Bulgarian: Второ българско царство, Vtorо Bălgarskо Tsarstvo) was a medieval Bulgarian state that existed between 1185 and 1396. A successor to the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Tsars Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. It was succeeded by the Principality and later Kingdom of Bulgaria in 1878.Until 1256, the Second Bulgarian Empire was the dominant power in the Balkans, defeating the Byzantine Empire in several major battles. In 1205 Emperor Kaloyan defeated the newly established Latin Empire in the Battle of Adrianople. His nephew Ivan Asen II defeated the Despotate of Epiros and made Bulgaria a regional power again. During his reign, Bulgaria spread from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and the economy flourished. In the late 13th century, however, the Empire declined under constant invasions by Mongols, Byzantines, Hungarians, and Serbs, as well as internal unrest and revolts. The 14th century saw a temporary recovery and stability, but also the peak of Balkan feudalism as central authorities gradually lost power in many regions. Bulgaria was divided into three parts on the eve of the Ottoman invasion.
Despite strong Byzantine influence, Bulgarian artists and architects created their own distinctive style. In the 14th century, during the period known as the Second Golden Age of Bulgarian culture, literature and art flourished. The capital city Tarnovo, which was considered a New Constantinople, became the country's main cultural hub and the centre of the Eastern Orthodox world for contemporary Bulgarians. After the Ottoman conquest, many Bulgarian clerics and scholars emigrated to Serbia, Wallachia, Moldavia, and Russian principalities, where they introduced Bulgarian culture, books, and hesychastic ideas.
Second Bulgarian Empire | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Second Bulgarian Empire
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Second Bulgarian Empire (Bulgarian: Второ българско царство, Vtorо Bălgarskо Tsarstvo) was a medieval Bulgarian state that existed between 1185 and 1396. A successor to the First Bulgarian Empire, it reached the peak of its power under Tsars Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II before gradually being conquered by the Ottomans in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. It was succeeded by the Principality and later Kingdom of Bulgaria in 1878.Until 1256, the Second Bulgarian Empire was the dominant power in the Balkans, defeating the Byzantine Empire in several major battles. In 1205 Emperor Kaloyan defeated the newly established Latin Empire in the Battle of Adrianople. His nephew Ivan Asen II defeated the Despotate of Epiros and made Bulgaria a regional power again. During his reign, Bulgaria spread from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and the economy flourished. In the late 13th century, however, the Empire declined under constant invasions by Mongols, Byzantines, Hungarians, and Serbs, as well as internal unrest and revolts. The 14th century saw a temporary recovery and stability, but also the peak of Balkan feudalism as central authorities gradually lost power in many regions. Bulgaria was divided into three parts on the eve of the Ottoman invasion.
Despite strong Byzantine influence, Bulgarian artists and architects created their own distinctive style. In the 14th century, during the period known as the Second Golden Age of Bulgarian culture, literature and art flourished. The capital city Tarnovo, which was considered a New Constantinople, became the country's main cultural hub and the centre of the Eastern Orthodox world for contemporary Bulgarians. After the Ottoman conquest, many Bulgarian clerics and scholars emigrated to Serbia, Wallachia, Moldavia, and Russian principalities, where they introduced Bulgarian culture, books, and hesychastic ideas.
Sofia | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
00:04:09 1 Names
00:07:15 2 Geography
00:09:21 2.1 Climate
00:12:04 2.2 Environment
00:14:28 3 History
00:14:38 3.1 Prehistory and antiquity
00:19:29 3.1.1 Archaeology
00:20:14 3.2 Middle Ages
00:21:36 3.3 Early modern history
00:24:20 3.4 Modern and contemporary history
00:28:17 4 Cityscape
00:32:07 4.1 Green areas
00:33:52 5 Government and law
00:34:02 5.1 Local government
00:35:41 5.2 National government
00:37:10 5.3 Crime
00:39:12 6 Culture
00:39:22 6.1 Arts and entertainment
00:45:01 6.2 Tourism
00:46:02 7 Sports
00:49:58 8 Demographics
00:56:53 9 Economy
01:00:15 10 Transport and infrastructure
01:05:37 11 Education and science
01:08:49 12 International relations
01:08:59 12.1 Twin and sister cities
01:09:12 12.2 Cooperation agreements
01:09:35 13 Honour
01:09:52 14 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
Listen on Google Assistant through Extra Audio:
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Speaking Rate: 0.7814356898716486
Voice name: en-GB-Wavenet-A
I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Sofia ( SOH-fee-ə, SOF-; Bulgarian: Со́фия, romanized: Sofiya, IPA: [ˈsɔfijə] (listen)) is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. The city is at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in the western part of the country. Being in the centre of the Balkan peninsula, it is midway between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, and closest to the Aegean Sea.Sofia has been an area of human habitation since at least 7000 BC. The recorded history of Sofia begins with the attestation of the conquest of Serdica by the Roman Republic in 29 BC from the Celtic tribe Serdi, raided by Huns in 343-347 AD and 447 AD, conquered by Visigoths in 376-382 AD, conquered by Avars and Slavs in 617 AD, and on 9 April 809 Serdica was surrendered to Krum of Bulgaria. In 1018, the Byzantines ended Bulgarian rule, while in 1040 it was shortly restored. The town was conquered by the Pechenegs in 1048 and 1078, by the Magyars and Serbs in 1183, and by the Crusaders in 1095 and 1190. The rule of the Second Bulgarian Empire lasted from 1194 until its conquest by the Ottomans in 1382.. From 1520 to 1836, Sofia was the regional capital of Rumelia Eyalet, the Ottoman Empire's key province in Europe. Bulgarian rule was restored in 1878. During World War II Sofia was bombarded by the UK and US Air Forces and at the end of the war, it was seized by the Soviet Army.
Being Bulgaria's primate city, Sofia is a hometown of many of the major local universities, cultural institutions and commercial companies. Sofia is one of the top 10 best places for start-up businesses in the world, especially in information technologies, according to Bulgarian National Television. Sofia was Europe's most affordable capital to visit in 2013.The population of Sofia declined down from 70,000 in the late 18th century, through 19,000 in 1870, to 11,649 in 1878 and began increasing. Sofia hosts some 1.23 million residents within a territory of 492 km2, a concentration of 17.5% of the country population within the 200th percentile of the country territory. The urban area of Sofia hosts some 1.54 million residents within 5723 km², which comprises Sofia City Province and parts of Sofia Province (Dragoman, Slivnitsa, Kostinbrod, Bozhurishte, Svoge, Elin Pelin, Gorna Malina, Ihtiman, Kostenets) and Pernik Province (Pernik, Radomir), representing 5.16% of the country territory. The metropolitan area of Sofia is based upon one hour of car travel time, stretches internationally and includes Dimitrovgrad in Serbia. Unlike most European metropolitan areas, it is not to be defined as a substantially functional metropolitan area, but is of the type with limited variety of functions. The metropolitan region of Sofia is inhabited by a population of 1.68 million and is made up of the whole provinces Sofia City, Sofia and Pernik, comprising more than 10,000 km².
Macedonian nationalism | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Macedonian nationalism
00:01:16 1 The designation Macedonian
00:05:31 2 Origins
00:10:30 3 History
00:10:38 3.1 Early and middle 19th century
00:12:07 3.2 Late 19th and early 20th century
00:13:26 3.3 Balkan Wars and First World War
00:14:23 3.4 Interwar period and WWII
00:16:26 3.5 Post-World War II
00:17:56 3.6 Post-Informbiro period and Bulgarophobia
00:20:57 3.7 Post-independence period and Antiquisation
00:27:50 4 Macedonism
00:29:33 4.1 Macedonism as an ethno-political conception
00:38:16 4.2 Early adherents
00:39:45 4.3 Contemporary ideas
00:43:05 5 See also
00:43:40 6 References and notes
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Macedonian nationalism is a general grouping of nationalist ideas and concepts among ethnic Macedonians that were first formed in the late 19th century among separatists seeking the autonomy of the region of Macedonia from the Ottoman Empire. The idea evolved during the early 20th century alongside the first expressions of ethnic nationalism among the Slavs of Macedonia. The separate Macedonian nation gained recognition after World War II when SR Macedonia was created as part of SFR Yugoslavia. Afterwards the Macedonian historiography has established historical links between the ethnic Macedonians and events and figures from the Middle Ages up to the 20th century. Following the independence of the Republic of Macedonia in the late 20th century, issues of Macedonian national identity have become contested by the country's neighbours, as some adherents to aggressive Macedonian nationalism, called Macedonism, hold more extreme beliefs such as an unbroken continuity between ancient Macedonians (an ancient Greek people), and modern ethnic Macedonians (a Slavic people), and views connected to the irredentist concept of a United Macedonia, which involves territorial claims on a large portion of Greece, along with smaller regions of Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
Историја на Византиската Империја
Saints Cyril and Methodius | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Saints Cyril and Methodius
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written
language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through
audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio
while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using
a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
In case you don't find one that you were looking for, put a comment.
This video uses Google TTS en-US-Standard-D voice.
SUMMARY
=======
Saints Cyril and Methodius (826–869, 815–885; Greek: Κύριλλος καὶ Μεθόδιος (Kýrillos kaí Methódios), Old Church Slavonic: Кѷриллъ и Меѳодїи) were two brothers who were Byzantine Christian theologians and Christian missionaries. Through their work they influenced the cultural development of all Slavs, for which they received the title Apostles to the Slavs. They are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe Old Church Slavonic. After their deaths, their pupils continued their missionary work among other Slavs. Both brothers are venerated in the Orthodox Church as saints with the title of equal-to-apostles. In 1880, Pope Leo XIII introduced their feast into the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1980, Pope John Paul II declared them co-patron saints of Europe, together with Benedict of Nursia.
Plovdiv | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Plovdiv
00:02:42 1 Name
00:06:44 2 Geography
00:08:09 2.1 Climate
00:10:24 3 History
00:10:33 3.1 Antiquity
00:14:30 3.2 Middle Ages
00:17:42 3.3 Ottoman rule
00:18:56 3.3.1 National revival
00:22:30 3.4 Eastern Rumelia
00:24:10 3.5 Recent history
00:26:31 4 Population
00:28:01 4.1 Ethnicity and religion
00:30:28 5 City government
00:31:35 6 Districts and neighbourhoods
00:32:07 7 Main sights
00:33:04 7.1 Roman City
00:36:23 7.2 Museums and protected sites
00:38:46 7.3 Churches, mosques and temples
00:40:38 8 Culture
00:40:47 8.1 Theatre and music
00:42:08 8.2 Literature
00:43:01 8.3 Arts
00:44:09 8.4 European Capital of Culture
00:45:25 9 Economy
00:47:15 9.1 Economic Indicators
00:47:27 9.2 Industry
00:48:24 9.3 Shopping and commerce
00:50:35 10 Transport
00:53:39 11 Education
00:55:29 12 Sports and recreation
00:57:55 13 Notable citizens
01:00:48 14 International relations
01:00:58 14.1 Twin towns – Sister cities
01:01:11 15 Honour
01:01:45 16 Gallery
01:01:54 17 See also
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The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
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Plovdiv (Bulgarian: Пловдив, pronounced [ˈpɫovdif]) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, with a city population of 345,213 as of 2017 and 675,000 in the greater metropolitan area. It is an important economic, transport, cultural, and educational center. There is evidence of habitation in Plovdiv dating back to the 6th millennium BCE, when the first Neolithic settlements were established; it is said to be one of the oldest cities in Europe.During most of its recorded history, Plovdiv was known in the West by the name Philippopolis (Greek: Φιλιππούπολις; Turkish: Filibe; Philip's Town) after Philip II of Macedon conquered the city in the 4th century BCE. The city was originally a Thracian settlement and subsequently was invaded by Persians, Greeks, Celts, Romans, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, Rus people, Crusaders, and Turks. On 4 January 1878, Plovdiv was liberated from Ottoman rule by the Russian army. It remained within the borders of Bulgaria until July of the same year, when it became the capital of the autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia. In 1885, Plovdiv and Eastern Rumelia joined Bulgaria.
Plovdiv is situated in a fertile region of south-central Bulgaria on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some of which are 250 metres (820 feet) high. Because of these hills, Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as The City of the Seven Hills.
Plovdiv is host to a huge variety of cultural events such as the International Fair Plovdiv, the international theatrical festival A stage on a crossroad, the TV festival The golden chest, and many more novel festivals, such as Night/Plovdiv in September, Kapana Fest, and Opera Open. There are many preserved ruins such as the ancient Plovdiv Roman theatre, a Roman odeon, a Roman aqueduct, the Plovdiv Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene, and others.
The oldest American educational institution outside the United States, the American College of Sofia, was founded in Plovdiv in 1860 and later moved to Sofia.
On 5 September 2014, Plovdiv was selected as the Bulgarian host of the European Capital of Culture 2019. This happened with the help of the Municipal Foundation Plovdiv 2019″, a non-government organization, which was established in 2011 by Plovdiv's City Council whose main objectives were to develop and to prepare Plovdiv's bid book for European Capital of Culture in 2019.