In Bulgaria, there is a tradition of name days (immen den in Bulgarian). These name days are different than your birthday. Based on what I understand, you can celebrate both your birthday and your name day. Your name day you celebrate with everyone else who shares your name–usually a name related to a Saint of the Orthodox Christian Church.
I’ve been invited to my first name day party and I’ll be going tomorrow afternoon. It’s for the wife of my landlord. Her name is Anne for short but her full name is Ivanka. Technically January 7th was her name day but she’s celebrating it on Sunday. I have a hunch it will be like most Bulgarian dinners/parties that I’ve been to–lots of food, lots to drink and me trying to use some Bulgarian.
It should be a lot of fun. I’ve got a little gift for her and something for my landlord’s family from Vienna. So hopefully I’ve got my bases covered. These people have been so nice to me which makes me feel like I want to be the best guest possible.
I am running out to meet friends for coffee right now and then there’s a party tonight to send off one of my new Bulgarian friends to the states. She’s moving to Washington to work and study for a semester through a joint program with Georgetown University and the Center for American Studies (or something like that).
I’ll aim for a longer post tomorrow.
Name days in Bulgaria is a very ancient tradition, but it is used as an excuse to party not only in Bulgaria
However the main idea is to Honor the saint that you are actually named after or the saint who is the guarding of you. It’s kind of strange because some people have 2 name day during the year, but anyway we Bulgarians never reject any chance of having a party or gather with friends or drink someting. It is also interesting that it Bulgaria there is a saying that people should not invite any guests on their name days, but rather the guest must remember their names days and go in their house uninvited… 
Thanks for your comment! You’ve really helped to clarify this tradition for my American readers. I think that name days are a great tradition and I wish that I had to two chances in a year to gather my friends around and to celebrate. Good thing I am in Bulgaria this year!