 Traditional Bulgarian culture contains mainly Thracian , Slavic and Bulgar heritage , along with Greek , Roman , Ottoman , Persian and Celtic influences . Nine historical and natural objects have been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites : the Madara Rider , the Thracian tombs in <unk> and Kazanlak , the Boyana Church , the Rila Monastery , the Rock @-@ hewn Churches of Ivanovo , Pirin National Park , <unk> Nature Reserve and the ancient city of Nesebar . <unk> , a ritual fire @-@ dance of Thracian origin , is included in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage . Fire is an essential element of Bulgarian folklore , used to banish evil spirits and diseases . Bulgarian folklore personifies illnesses as witches and has a wide range of creatures , including <unk> , samodiva ( <unk> ) and <unk> . Some of the customs and rituals against these spirits have survived and are still practised , most notably the <unk> and <unk> . <unk> is also widely celebrated . 
