Politicians and artists have made the topic of untraditional weddings one of the most discussed in Bulgaria over the past few days.
Sculptor Vezhdi Rashidov proved that eccentricity is his middle name and twisted local traditions by marrying with five best men. The usual view at the altar in Bulgaria is the couple to be wed and a best man on one side together with a maid of honour on the other.
Rashidov, however, apparently couldn't chose between all his friends and him and long-time sweetheart Snezhana Baharova had five businessmen step to the altar with them as they exchanged vows. To top that Rashidov's outcry "goodbye freedom" and best man Borislav Dionisiev's decision to state he was the maid of honour by wearing a skirt over his pants gave gossipers enough to thrive on for a week.
In the meantime failed nationalist president runner Volen Siderov, who also failed to tie the knot on the day before elections, as he had promised, continue to spark controversy around his wedding. He is now said to marry in the predominantly Turks-populated city of Kardzhali, under the watchful eye of priest Boyan Saruev. The cleric is popular throughout Bulgaria for preaching in the Rhodope preaching priest Mountains.
But no Siderov-related issue is controversy free, and apparently this also applies to his wedding. Hearing of the event Ahmed Dogan, who heads the Ethnic Turkish party Movements for Rights and Freedoms that Siderov wanted to dub illegal, quickly offered to be the best man. The nationalist declined with some venom in his words and didn't seem interested in the honeymoon trip to Turkey that Dogan offered.