This aspect of Bulgarian life and culture is very rich. There are more than 70,000 folks songs at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Folklore Institute (from Bulgarian Folk Art, Published by the Tourist Promotion and Publicity Centre). Most of these songs are vocal, but there are instrumental pieces as well.
There are three basic groups of Bulgarian instruments: the wind family including the shepherd’s pipe and bagpipes, drums and strings. The latter group includes the gadoulka and this small cello-like is being played by the two middle musicians in the picture below.
In the city of Kotel there is a folk music school. At this central Bulgarian location, students are taught how to play traditional Bulgarian instruments (from Bulgaria, by Annie Kay, Bradt Travel Guides, 2008).
During the thirteen centuries of Bulgarian history, many folk songs have been created, changed by other musicians, and improvised. That is not unique to Bulgarian culture. But, according to Hristo Krotev in his 2011 book Bulgarian Folk Music for Foreigners, what is remarkable is that over one thousand of these pieces are masterpieces.
The above author also noted that composers of Bulgarian Folk Music were significantly influenced by Greek Music. That is not surprising considering how close the countries are geographically.
One way to categorize Bulgarian Folk Music is by the lyrics. Using such a classification, there are historical songs, those focusing on family, and love songs. The latter category is free of songs that have base or violent words. There are many labor songs with the majority centering on different aspects of the agricultural life. Harvesting is a popular theme but a few revolve around plowing and planting. There are also holiday pieces, those featuring humor, and folk ballads. This last group has humans talking with trees, the sun, animals, or other things that can’t converse with humans (Krotev, 2011). It would seem fitting to include some links to samples of Bulgarian Folk Music. But that I will leave to savvy readers!