How Bulgaria Survived 500 Years Of Ottoman Rule | Ivana Nikolova & Philip Yanakiev | Sofia, Bulgaria

Connecting with Kenna · Oct 22, 2026 · 1h 28m · transcript

Send us Fan Mail

What does it really take for a culture to survive 500 years of foreign rule, communism and the chaos of the 1990s? Philip and Ivana, two friends from Sofia, take you inside Bulgaria: its turbulent history, deep-rooted faith, sacred family meals and the traditions that still shape daily life today.

Philip and Ivana were both born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria. From Roman ruins under Sofia’s streets to grandma’s breakfast table and homemade rakia, they give an honest, funny and personal insider’s view of a country many people know little about.

In this episode, they explain:

■…