Taking a closer look at Bulgarian Beauty standards

The 90’s marked the birth of the Bulgarian beauty standards and our interviewee, Teodora
Zlateva, she explains to us how these standards developed and what they are comprised of.
Tune in to understand how these standards affect Teodora’s perception of beauty and
herself.

Teodora: “Hello, my name is Teodora Zlateva and I am from Sofia, Bulgaria. I am 20

years old”

Teodora is a student at the American University In Bulgaria and is passionate about writing

Teodora: “it is one of my greatest passions and one of the reasons why I am currently
studying journalism and mass communications.”

Zeina: What are things that you consider to be beauty standards in Bulgaria? How
would you call a woman beautiful?

Teodora: there there's this thing here in Bulgaria, it's kind of a culture that started in the
90s and it started right after communism in Bulgaria fell. And it is something
considered the Chalga culture. So Chalga is a type of music that is very popular here in
Bulgaria and especially in the 90s. That's when it was born and where it came kind of
the standards of beauty, which were that all women should have like long hair, like
plump lips, very, very big boobs that I mean those are kind of beauty standards

The beauty standards soon develop to also include plastic surgery such as liposuction,
silicone implants, and Botox

And also dictates what women in Bulgaria wear and how they choose to present themselves

Teodora: “you should, like, wear revealing clothing and all of the short dresses. So
long, very deep necklines and all of that”

“And what is interesting about it is that most of the performers and musical performers
of this genre, they look alike. I mean, it's hard for me to tell which one is which,
honestly. I mean, I have a really hard time distinguishing one from another”

Growing up in a world defined by these standards will surely have an effect, but what is the
nature of that effect?

Zeina: “Would you describe yourself as beautiful?”

Teodora: “I'm always anxious about the way I look and I mean, I don't know.
I don't know. I mean. Maybe, I don't know

While Teodora obviously doubts her beauty, she still tries to defy the beauty standards that
she is constantly exposed to and construct and accept her own idea of beauty
Teodora: “Even though there's things that I don't like. But I guess it's not all I mean I'm
trying to live with that. Trying to love parts of myself that I don't.”