Holidays are part of the culture of every nation. Some holidays, such as Halloween, New Year's Eve, and Christmas, are known almost all over the world.
However, different people have their own peculiarities and traditions when celebrating festive moments. In Bulgaria, there are holidays that are far from popular outside the country, but in fact, they are interesting, exciting, and unique in their essence.
And that's exactly what we'll talk about in the article.
BABA MARTA
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Baba Marta is celebrated on 1st of March every year and it represents the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People dress in traditional clothing and exchange Martenitsi - woven ornaments made of white and red threads, as gifts to wish one another good health, and happiness. Learn more about Baba Marta traditions in this article.
NESTINARI
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Nestinari is a traditional dance performed by fire-walking dancers on different special celebrations. The dancers walk barefoot on red-hot coals as a way of purifying themselves.
SURVA FESTIVAL
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Surva Festival - a three-day festival held in January, Surva celebrates the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Participants wear colorful masks and costumes, dance, and play musical instruments to drive away evil spirits. The masquerade games feature a variety of characters, such as the Kukeri, who wear massive fur coats, masks, and bells, and the Babugeri, who dress as women and perform a special dance. The performances are accompanied by traditional Bulgarian music, played on instruments such as the kaval, the gadulka, and the tambura. This holiday looks like the Bulgarian version of Halloween.
Held in the town of Kazanlak, the Rose Festival is a celebration of the Bulgarian rose, which is famous for its unique fragrance and is used to produce rose oil. The festival takes place in June and includes rose picking, music, dance, and food.
These unique celebrations offer a glimpse into the country's rich history and provide a way for its people to connect with their past and with each other.