======Bulgarian Wizards and Witches======
=====Introduction=====
Bulgarian wizards and witches are a nationality of magic-users originating from the country of [[Bulgaria]]. In the wizarding world, they are most renowned for their prowess in [[Quidditch]] and their association with the [[Durmstrang Institute]]. Their most prominent appearance is during the 1994 [[Quidditch World Cup]] and the subsequent [[Triwizard Tournament]], with [[Seeker]] [[Viktor Krum]] being the most famous Bulgarian wizard in the series. They are often depicted as proud and highly skilled, with a culture that seems to tolerate or even embrace a more pragmatic approach to magic, including the [[Dark Arts]].
=====Biography=====
The primary involvement of Bulgarian wizards in the main narrative is concentrated in //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//.
In 1994, the [[Bulgarian National Quidditch Team]] reached the final of the 422nd [[Quidditch World Cup]], playing against the [[Irish National Quidditch Team]]. The team, supported by their [[Veela]] mascots, put up a strong fight. Despite a brilliant performance from their world-class [[Seeker]], [[Viktor Krum]], who successfully performed a [[Wronski Feint]], they ultimately lost the match 160 to 170 after [[Krum]] caught the [[Golden Snitch]]. This strategic move was seen as ending the game on his own terms before the Irish [[Chaser]]s could further widen the score gap.
Following the [[World Cup]], [[Viktor Krum]] arrived at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] as the champion for the [[Durmstrang Institute]] in the [[Triwizard Tournament]]. Throughout the school year, [[Krum]] represented his school and, by extension, his country. He developed a romantic relationship with [[Hermione Granger]], inviting her to the [[Yule Ball]] and maintaining correspondence with her after the tournament.
Years later, in 1997, [[Viktor Krum]] attended the wedding of [[Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]. There, he expressed his disgust upon seeing [[Xenophilius Lovegood]] wearing the symbol of the [[Deathly Hallows]], which he mistook for the mark of the [[Dark Wizard]] [[Gellert Grindelwald]]. [[Krum]] revealed that [[Grindelwald]], who had attended [[Durmstrang]], had murdered his grandfather.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
The members of the [[Bulgarian National Quidditch Team]] were described as having a "surly" appearance.
[[Viktor Krum]] is depicted as tall, thin, and dark, with a large curved nose and thick black eyebrows. He has a duck-footed, round-shouldered gait on the ground but moves with exceptional grace in the air on a [[broomstick]]. His personality is generally reserved, sullen, and gruff. He speaks little and often appears moody. However, he shows a softer, more genuine side in his interactions with [[Hermione Granger]] and displays respect for [[Harry Potter]] as a fellow champion. He also possesses a strong sense of justice and a deep-seated hatred for [[Gellert Grindelwald]] and his followers.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
  * **Quidditch:** The Bulgarians are presented as exceptionally talented [[Quidditch]] players. Their national team was one of the two best in the world in 1994. [[Viktor Krum]] is widely regarded as a genius [[Seeker]].
  * **Dark Arts:** Students from [[Durmstrang Institute]], including [[Krum]], were taught the [[Dark Arts]] as part of their curriculum, unlike students at [[Hogwarts]].
  * **Transfiguration:** [[Viktor Krum]] demonstrated an aptitude for [[Transfiguration]] by attempting a difficult partial human-to-animal transformation. During the Second Task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]], he transfigured his head into that of a shark, though the spell was imperfect.
  * **Dueling:** [[Krum]] was a capable duelist, selected as his school's champion. He was skilled enough to fight [[Harry Potter]] in the [[Triwizard Maze]], though he was under the influence of the [[Imperius Curse]] at the time.
=====Possessions=====
  * **Brooms:** The [[Bulgarian National Quidditch Team]] all flew on [[Firebolt]] racing brooms during the 1994 [[World Cup]], noted as being the state-of-the-art racing broom of the time.
  * **Wands:** [[Viktor Krum]]'s wand was made by [[Gregorovitch]]. It was ten and a quarter inches long, made of hornbeam wood with a [[dragon heartstring]] core, and described as being thicker and more rigid than most wands.
=====Relationships=====
  * **Rivalries:** The [[Bulgarian National Quidditch Team]] had a significant rivalry with the [[Irish National Quidditch Team]] during the [[Quidditch World Cup]].
  * **[[Viktor Krum]] and [[Hermione Granger]]:** They shared a brief but genuine romance during the [[Triwizard Tournament]] and remained friends via owl post for some time afterward.
  * **[[Viktor Krum]] and [[Igor Karkaroff]]:** [[Karkaroff]], the Headmaster of [[Durmstrang]], was [[Krum]]'s mentor. He was intensely proud of [[Krum]]'s status but fled his post when [[Lord Voldemort]] returned, abandoning his student.
  * **[[Viktor Krum]] and [[Harry Potter]]:** Their relationship was one of mutual respect between competitors. [[Krum]] treated [[Harry]] as an equal, a contrast to how many others viewed [[Harry]]'s controversial entry into the tournament.
=====Etymology=====
The term "Bulgarian" refers to the people and language of [[Bulgaria]], a real country located in Southeastern Europe. The name is derived from the Bulgars, a semi-nomadic Turkic people who were instrumental in the formation of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 7th century.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, the Bulgarian wizards, particularly the students of [[Durmstrang]], are given a distinct Eastern European, militaristic aesthetic, often wearing heavy fur cloaks and hats. This look is not described in the novels. [[Viktor Krum]] was portrayed by Bulgarian actor Stanislav Ianevski.
J.K. Rowling has stated that [[Durmstrang Institute]] is located in the far north of Europe, possibly Scandinavia. The fact that a Bulgarian student like [[Viktor Krum]] is its champion indicates that the school accepts students from a wide range of countries, not just its immediate geographical vicinity (Pottermore).