Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Spreading tourism myths is not a new thing, thracologist Prof. Vanya Lozanova says

Image of the mythical Thracian bard and musician Orpheus on an ancient Greek vase.
Photo: library

In the search for scientific facts, researchers of ancient civilizations and cultures also come across fake news created by people in the past. The most interesting thing is that the ancient people often did it in the name of cultural tourism.

One of these fake news was discovered by thracologist Prof. Vanya Lozanova, who is a researcher of Orpheus and Orphism. The information is related to the so-called oracle of Orpheus on the island of Lesbos, mentioned only by one ancient author - Philostratus. He wrote that the head of Orpheus reached the island by sea and gave rise to prophecies.

"This is a fiction created by Philostratus. The head of Orpheus and its sacred space is in Thrace. By creating his legends, Philostratus tried to attract the attention of tourists who would visit his island," Lozanova told BNR. "We should not demythologize myths. They exist on another plane. It is good to construct the information that could intrigue tourists," the specialist said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The Bulgarian stand at CMT Stuttgart 2025

Bulgaria with an expanded presence at the tourism exhibition CMT Stuttgart 2025

Bulgaria participates in the international tourism exhibition CMT Stuttgart . The forum is held from January 18 to 26, 2025 , and the main highlights are camping and caravanning, motorcycles, cycling, golf, SPA, cruises and others, reports bgtourism.bg...

published on 1/25/25 10:35 AM

The Rhodope Caterpillar - the train that crosses mountains and time

"The Rhodope Caterpillar" - that's what they call the train that winds along the slopes of the Rhodope Mountains on the route Dimitrovgrad - Haskovo - Kardzhali - Podkova village. And no, this is not the legendary narrow-gauge railway - it runs in a..

published on 1/24/25 7:27 PM

Enhanced fire fafety inspections to take place in tourist facilities across Bulgaria

Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh and Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov agreed to begin enhanced fire safety inspections of tourist facilities across the country due to the busy winter season. The tragic incident at the Turkish resort of..

published on 1/22/25 6:13 PM