It is safest to exchange currency in banks. Some exchange bureaus temp clients with more profitable exchange rates but foreigners could easily fall into trap. Though laws regulate clearly currency exchange some exchange bureaus find ways of tricking customers. Never exchange money on the street. Examine carefully exchange charts before you choose the bureau to use.
- It is advisable to exchange money in a bank. Currency exchange rates in banks are sometimes lower than the ones exchange bureaus offer but you would be certain of the amount you would receive and avoid chances of being tricked.
- The Bulgarian currency is the lev. When exchanging money, look for places that offer exchange rates of approximately 1.95 leva for one euro. The Bulgarian lev to euro rate is fixed to 1.95583 so you can use this value as the best estimate of the acceptability of exchange rates that currency bureaus offer.
- It is recommended to bring US dollars or euro as this is the currency that most exchange bureaus can convert to leva. You might have difficulty converting some less popular and not so widely used currencies.
- Some exchange bureaus offer different rates for smaller and larger sums, with the ones for small amounts being somehow unprofitable. Study carefully the exchange rate tables if you decide to use the services of an exchange bureau.
- Examine tables for commission percentages, as some bureaus withhold part of the sum. This may be noted in small letters or in the bottom of the exchange rate table so examine it carefully before you decide to use the services of the respective bureau.
- According to regulations, exchange bureaus are obliged to give you exactly the same sum that is listed on their exchange rate tables. A deal is not finalised until the customer has signed the receipt. Request one and examine it carefully before concluding the transaction.
- Never accept to exchange money on the street. Even if you are offered what seems to be a good deal, chances are you would be ripped off. Don't trust street currency sellers and resort to exchange bureaus, or more preferably bank offices.
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What`s on in Bulgaria
Theatre
Short Play for a Child’s Room What: The play resulted from a fortunate – and unlikely – encounter between director Galin Stoev and playwright Yana Borissova’s debut text. When: May 24 and 29 Where: Theatre 199
Valentine’s Day What: One of the most popular contemporary Russian playwrights, Ivan Vyrypaev has chosen for his play’s motto the words of an Arabian philosopher: “There are only two things – love and love.” When: May 22 Where: Little City Theatre off the Channel
Three Sisters What: Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is a play about the things that never happen and the sophisticated sadness and despair of the characters. When: May 21 and 30 Where: Nikolai Binev Youth Theatre
Lazarus and Jesus What: Based on Emilian Stanev’s apocrypha, Lazarus and Jesus aims to excite interest in the “damned questions” raised by the author and to argue against the assertion that Bulgarian literature is limited mostly to the regional and the untranslatably Bulgarian. When: May 18 Where: Sfumato Theatre-Workshop
16th International Istanbul Theatre Festival What: two weeks of theatre and dance performances from around the globe When: May 15 to June 4 Where: Istanbul
The Taming of the Shrew (premiere) What: Director Marius Kurkinski returns to the stage of the Satirical Theatre with this Shakespearean comedy, which was one of the master’s earlier plays. When: May 10, 19 and 26 Where: Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre, Sofia
Cultural Institutes
Salon of the Arts What: The annual Salon of the Arts features tens of exhibitions, concerts and performances. For a complete programme, stop by the Ticket centre at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) When: May 11 to June 30 Where: National Palace of Culture, Sofia
Art
Sofia, Paris, Strasbourg What: A joint project by the National Academy of Arts in Sofia, the Ecole Superieure d’arts graphiques – Penninghen and the Ecole superieure des arts decoratifs, Strasbourg, focusing on the Cyrillic alphabet with a newspaper theme. When: Opens May 8 Where: Akademia, 1 Shipka Str, Sofia
ART POSITIVE 2008: FRAGMENT What: exhibition with the participation of 14 Plovdiv artists When: Until May 25 Where: Centre for Contemporary Art - Plovdiv arttoday.org
Live Music
KYLIE MINOGUE What: Indisputably, one of the major concerts in Bulgaria in 2008 will be that of pop icon Kylie Minogue. Ticket prices vary from 40 to 50 leva. When: May 18 Where: Lokomotiv Stadium
JAZZ PLUS FESTIVAL 2008 What: Jan Garbarek Group featuring Manu Katche, Alboran Trio, Roberto Fonseca, Luisito Quintero. Tickets at 20 and 25 leva, available from Dyukyan Meloman, Bulgaria Hall, NDK box office, eventim.bg and ticketstream.bg. When: May 15, 17, 18 and 29 Where: NDK, Bulgaria Hall and 4km Party Center
After Business Club What: weekly mixers When: Wednesdays, 8pm Where: Chillout Bar & Dinner, 5 Triaditsa Str
RONI SIZE DJ SET What: The Sofia gig of the world-famous drum ’n’ bass DJ Roni Size will be the first in a series of events presenting legendary performers from the global drum ’n’ bass scene. When: May 17 Where: Hristo Botev Hall in Studentski Grad
WORLD BEAT NIGHTS – DANCING AROUND THE GLOBE What: Three more World Beat Nights – Dancing Around The Globe parties will be held in May. When: May 16, 23 and 30. May 16: African Night, May 23: The Latino Friday and May 30: Arabian Night. Where: Club Pulse
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