"They count to 12 - as the years spent in school. Moving around the streets of Sofia in shiny limousines, wearing expensive clothes. In doing so they not care whether their parents can afford such expense. "
With these words, the German television ZDF started its report from Sofia dedicated to the Bulgarian proms.
Watch the video in German here.
"A strange event which by its flamboyance and extravagance is more like a big wedding", says Deutsche Welle.
But what a prom actually means in Bulgaria?
SimpliC☺ investigates
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SimpliC☺ investigates
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Imagine a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Add a lot of belly dancing music. Now multiply this thousand times.
That's not even close...
Bulgaria is one of the poorest countries in the EU. One in five Bulgarians live with less than €100 a month, ie below the poverty line. But when it comes to prom, money is not important.
You'd think that proms are all the same. Fancy dressed kids, families taking lots of "they are so grown up" photos, ballroom, music, dancing all night...
Well, in Bulgaria that's not the case.
May is the month to be merry in this country as high school leavers celebrate their graduation luxuriously and loudly. ForStreets, squares and parks are packed with people - school leavers are many and they are everywhere. They celebrate the start of adulthood with a Bang.
Parents not only buy whatever their kids wish for, but they also give their children the most expensive gifts - anything from golden jewelry to silicone breasts and cars.
The graduates gather in the central square, where half the town is already waiting to inspect and comment on their appearance and cars. And the outfits... Well they make even Paris Hilton look overdressed.
-"This day will never come again, so I will spare no expenses or effort on it."
-"When they grow up, they may get married 2 or 3 times, but the prom happens just once in a lifetime."
-"I don't want my kid to feel deprived from anything."
These are the rules for every parent in Bulgaria. And for most of them the frenzy starts many months before the "Big Day" in May. For the girls dress hunting usually starts well back in December.
But for most families everything depends on the mercy of the banks, because the parents can't afford the expensive dress/suit or a Ferrari on their salaries. And the prom costs run into thousands - all spent on home refurbishment (so everything looks perfect for the relatives and family friends arriving from all over the country for the special occasion), outfits (2 or 3 at least), accessories, hair, make-up, car, hotel, professional photographer, musicians, "pocket" money and so on...
♪♪♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♪♪
And if they can't afford the dream dress, they hire someone to make it. Or if they don't have a Bentley (99.9999% don't), they get creative. But the rule is one: You have to make it better than the neighbors.
The logic behind the craziness remains unknown, but the financial dimensions of a prom a huge.
With limos, Hammers, Ferraries, Maybachs... the Bulgarian proms are more grand the Tokyo Motor Show and the Oscars together.
The graduates gather in the central square, where half the town is already waiting to inspect and comment on their appearance and cars. And the outfits... Well they make even Paris Hilton look overdressed.
And before they even get to the restaurants, they have already had a few drinks and cigarettes. At 18 they can legally drink and smoke. Which they do. A lot. And most of them from a lot younger age.
Once the official dinner is over, it's time for the after party. Every table in the "chalga" clubs (that's another topic) is pre-booked months ahead and only the most prestigious spirits are served. Alcohol, cigarettes, music, dancing... they stay out all night, doing all sort of things that parents pretend/hope they wouldn't.
It's all over for this year, but next year high school graduates will leave with an even bigger Bang. More expensive clothes, cars and parties...Money is irrelevant to the children's happiness.
Once the official dinner is over, it's time for the after party. Every table in the "chalga" clubs (that's another topic) is pre-booked months ahead and only the most prestigious spirits are served. Alcohol, cigarettes, music, dancing... they stay out all night, doing all sort of things that parents pretend/hope they wouldn't.
For a few hours and at a huge price - the dreams of thousands teenagers come true. And for many this would really be there "most amazing day", because the reality that awaits them is harsh. With an average monthly salary around €350, many will leave their homeland in search for a better life. Some will "make" it, some will not...
But who thinks for the future on a prom night?
And so the Bulgarian high school graduates enter the adult world inebriated, wearing expensive clothes and jewelry and heavily in debt.
It's all over for this year, but next year high school graduates will leave with an even bigger Bang. More expensive clothes, cars and parties...Money is irrelevant to the children's happiness.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Mae West
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