Bulgaria

Located in southeast Europe, bordering Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey, people in the Republic of Bulgaria have been influenced by all of their neighbors, and also by Russia. Great sporting events took place in medieval times, with competitors from some other countries participating. In 1980, in a bid to win the 1992 Olympics, these events were detailed by Bozhidar Peichev in a booklet highlighting these games, lousts and other tournaments were also held, testing battle skills.

Under the rule of the Ottomans, a number of Turkish games were introduced, such as Tavla, a version of Backgammon. Chess also became popular, as did card games. Bulgaria gained its independence in 1878, and a move to Westernize the country followed. Games from Western Europe were introduced, including bowling and skittles. The poverty of much of the population meant that most children had to play far simpler games such as Hide-and-Seek, skipping and Marbles. The increase in education during the 1930s led to more children participating in recreational sports, such as soccer, basketball, and netball. There was also interest in cycling and hiking, with some foreign tourists visiting the country. The British-born Elizabeth Mincoff, who married a Bulgarian diplomat while living in Sofia from the 1900s until the mid-1940s, wrote about Bulgarian lace, folksongs, and other elements of local lore.

After World War II, the Communists took over Bulgaria, and it was largely cut off from Western Europe. Much money was spent on sporting facilities, and many playgrounds, adventure playgrounds, and the like were built around the country, including ice skating rinks. Children were heavily involved in the Young Pioneers movement, taking part in annual camps and hikes. Some foreign visitors to Bulgaria were involved in speleological activities such as caving and potholing (exploring vertical caves), and a local interest in this began. Chess became a very popular pastime, with the establishment of the Federation Bulgare des Echecs. After the end of Communism in 1990, there was a revival of many pre-World War II folk customs following the return of many exiles. There was also an increase in tourism to the country, and there are now amusement arcades and bowling alleys in Sofia, the capital, and other cities. Wargaming has changed to reflect the different political climates promoted by governments.

During the late 1920s and 1930s wealthier Bulgarians tended to use games and scenes from the Balkan Wars of the late 19th and early 20th century, and the birth of modern Bulgarian nationalism. In the period of Communist rule, Wargaming focused on the medieval period, with interest in Byzantium and medieval Bulgaria; and from the 1990s on, the Wargames groups have covered all periods, including the politically sensitive ones such as World War I and World War II. However, the popularity of Wargaming among teenage boys has largely given way to playing computer simulation games.