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Folk customs and feasts
Bulgaria is a country with centuries-long history and culture. Its geographic location - at the crossroads of two continents, is conducive to its role as a place for cultural exchanges of different people and nationalities. Here Christianity interlaces with the ancient pagan rituals left by the people that lived on these lands. Bulgaria is the motherland of some legendary heroes, well known throughout Europe. The mythical king Rhesus as described in Homer's works, participant in the Troyan war, was thracian king. The cult of Dyonisus, the Greek god of wine, vineyards and merriment comes from Asia Minor in Thrace. It was adopted from Greeks and later on from Romans too (under the name of Bachhus). Thrace is the native land of Orpheus, the greatest singer and poet of the ancient world, as well as the famous gladiator Spartacus, leader of the greatest slave rebellion in the Great Roman Empire (73 - 71 B.C.). Of Bulgarian descent are also the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, who gave to all Slav people their alphabet (Cyrilic alphabet) and who in 1980 were promulgated as co-patrons of Europe (along with St.Benedict) by pope John Paul II. To get acquainted with the Bulgarians and their way of life, you have to know their traditions and customs. To better understand how their society is organized, you have to look through their calendar of living.
The folk calendar is a system of organizing and identifying time within the year. It is usually made of several cycles, depending on the natural and economic circulation. Such scheme is also specific of the traditional economic calendar of the Bulgarians. Following the official adoption of the Christian religion and calendar, the division of the year in two seasons was determined by the feasts in honour of St. Demetrius and St. George. Thus the St. Demetrius’ Day (celebrated on October 26th) and St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6th) divide the year in two quite closed seasonal and labour cycles - winter/spring and summer/fall cycles. A famous saying in this regard is "St. George brings the summer and St. Demetrius the winter”.
Customs and feasts in different regions of Bulgaria have their specific details, but all of them worship fertility, health and the eternal life cycle.
JANUARY
The New Year, called also Survaki or Saint Basil’s Day, is celebrated on January 1st. On the Eve of December 31st the housewife prepares a banitsa (made of filo pastry, with cheese and egg filling) with fortune slips in it - cornel buds, symbolizing health and fertility and a coin symbolizing welfare.
The New Year table is abundant and various. The main dish is turkey or pork served with pickled cabbage. The arranged table is incensed and then the oldest person in the house rotates the pan with the banitsa three times and then gives a piece of it to everyone around the table.
 On the next day early in the morning survakari go out – these are the little boys from the village. Every family waits for them eagerly. They bring decorated cornel twigs (called survachki) with many-coloured threads and garlands from popcorn and go from house to house wishing people a Happy New Year by tapping the master of the house on his back with the cornel twig singing songs for health and fertility. In fact the act of sourvakane i.e. tapping the master of the house and the other family members on their back by a cornel twig, is a wish for health and prosperity for all year round. And people show their gratitude to the boys by giving them bagels, bread, sweets, dried fruits and coins.
 On January 6th the Bulgarian village celebrates the Saint Jordan's Day. The feast is also known as Epiphany. On that day it is believed that the water acquires purifying powers. Therefore several days before that day, the priest goes from house to house and sprinkles with holy water. Early in the morning the festal procession starts, all villagers take part in it with the priest at the head; they all go to the nearest water basin - a river, a lake, a dam or the sea if the settlement is at the coast. The priest throws a silver cross in the water and young men jumps in the water to find it. The belief is that the man who finds the cross will be lucky and healthy all year round. It should be noted that young men who rush in the water are really brave as these are the coldest days of the year and the air temperature often goes far below zero Celsius.
On January 7th is Ivanovden – the day of St. Joan the Baptist. On that day everyone named Ivan, Ivanka or similar celebrates and having into mind that those are the most popular names in Bulgaria it wont be wrong to say that all Bulgarians are celebrating.
On January 8th we celebrate Babinden – a feast dedicated to the midwife or the woman that helps for taking care of babies. Because in most cases the women who help the young mother with the baby are her mother and mother-in-law i.e. baby's grandmothers that is why that day is called Babinden (Grandmother's day). This is the day of the petticoat government and men should stay at home. In villages there are parades usually headed by the mother with most children and to all midwifes and women who help young mothers with their babies, soap and towels are given as a gift (as a symbol of the fact that this woman gives the baby its first bath). Of course all ends up around the table where among all traditional dishes you will find again the famous banitsa.
FEBRUARY
 On February 14th is the Saint Tryphon’s Day or Tryphon Zarezan, the feast of vinegrowers. The village priest, together with all villagers, goes to the vineyards to give them his blessings. Everibody is celebrating, drinking wine and eating meatballs. On this day vines are trimmed. In recent times, probably as a consequence of the globalization and the mixing of cultures on that day more and more Bulgarians start celebrating the Catholic Saint Valentine’s day.
Other important day in the folk calendar is Shrovetide day (or Forgiveness day celebrated every Sunday that precedes the first Sunday of Lent and is about 50 days before Easter) and depending on the Easter are celebrated on different dates but always on Sunday. There are the second Sunday before Lent and the first Sunday before Lent which are celebrated.
 Saturday, before Shrovetide day (the second Sunady before Lent) is the Great All Souls’ Day, when people visit their late relatives' graves, clean them, decorate them with flowers, light candles and pray for their souls. The custom is to give away bread, boiled eggs and wine to pacify the souls of the dead. On Saturday, before the end of that week is Todorovden or Saint Theodore’s Day, also called the horse Easter, because on this day horse races are organized. That Sunday for last time it is allowed to eat dairy products and eggs, before the Lent, which continues fourty days and is a reminder of fourty days long starvation of Jesus Christ in the desert. On the table one will find again the famous banitsa, yoghurt and boiled eggs, and for dessert - khalva is served. After that Lent starts and lasts for fourty days.
The first Sunday before Lent is also known as the Forgiveness Day. This is one of the most interesting traditions of them all, reflecting the common wisdom of the people. On this day everyone asks for forgiveness his relatives and friends for the unintended offences he might have done to them during the preceding year. Young families visit the old members of the family (today being practically impossible to visit everyone you can call on the phone) and after the greeting “Good Afternoon” they say “Please, forgive me” and the approached person replies "I forgive you and I ask you to forgive me, too". Forgiveness is asked without questions or making analyses of what is to be forgiven. This is a very wise tradition, which comes from the presumption that all people are sinful and that they could have offended their relatives and friends even unintentionally. Thus Bulgarians have one day in the year in which they ask forgiveness of all by visiting them or by phone too, and they get it. Thus they are purified and happy that they do not keep grim thoughts and bad intentions for those around them. Like that after cleansing their souls people can start the Lent in attempt to clean their bodies as well. We must note the fact, that although there are not so many people who keep the Lent today, almost everyone performs the ritual of asking and receiving forgiveness. That is a clear indication that today's society is in need of purification of the soul and in fact old Bulgarian tradition still has a place in our strenuous and hectic lives.
MARCH
 According to the folk calendar the real spring starts on March 1st. Nature wakes up for a new life and rituals are carried out for health and fertility. The first day of the month is also named Baba Marta (Grandma March). The oldest woman in the family braids white and red yarn and makes martenitsi, by which people and animals are adorned for health. The fruit-trees in the yard of the house are also decorated with martenitsi. One should wear his martenitsa until he sees the first stork coming from south and then the martenitsa is hung on a flowering tree. You should not be surprised if you visit Bulgaria in March and see everybody decorated with brooches, bracelets and medallions in red and white. Today March 1st has turned into a festival of the designers of martenitsi, who every year create more and more new and interesting models of these decorations, which every Bulgarian carries on as a symbol of health. And if at any place in the world you see someone who in March discretely carries one of those on his wrist as a bracelet, then be sure that this man is Bulgarian or he has Bulgarian friends that have decorated him by wishing him health.
The feast Annunciation is celebrated on March 25th. Annunciation is a feast of all Christians and it celebrates one of the greatest sacraments in Christianity. According to the Bible on this day the angel Gabriel reveals to Virgin Mary that she would conceive a child, to become our Saviour and the Son of God - Jesus Christ. It is believed that on this day all wounds heal faster and easier and for this reason the ears of small girls are pierced on this day and decorated with earrings.
APRIL
The last Sunday before Easter is the Palm Sunday or Lazarovden. The feast is a reference to the spring and the awakening of nature and youth. On this day young girls who want to get married dress their best clothes, stick spring flowers in their hair, sing and dance in circle. On this day young and old together go to church. After the service, the priest gives blessed willow branches bringing health and good luck and people put them on their doorways.
 The week after the Palm Sunday is called the Holy Week and ends with the great Christian feast – Easter – on this day our savior Jesus Christ was resurrected after three days on the cross. Easter puts an end to the Long Lent.
The preparations for the feast begin on Thursday when eggs are painted for. The first red egg, which has the magic power to protect from the evil, is kept until the next Easter. On Thursday – kozunatsi are prepared (Easter bread) –a kind of ritual sweet bread. In the late evening on Saturday, before Sunday, Paschal service is held and it must be attended by all. Exactly at midnight the priest announces the Resurrection by saying the words “Christ has risen“, and the crowd replies "Truly! He has risen!”. Then a procession is formed with the priest at its head and all go round the church three times. Upon announcement of the Resurrection, the priest brings out a lighted candle - a symbol of the divine flame and all light their candles from it and take those candles at home. Thus everyone takes home the divine flame. The Easter day is full of joy and hi spirits.
MAY
 The day of Saint George the Victorious or St George's Day, is always celebrated on May 6th and along with Easter it is considered to be the most significant spring feast. It is celebrated in three different ways: Shepherd’s day, the day of bravery and the solders' heroism (i.e. the Day of the Bulgarian Army) and the day of Wisdom and Revival.
Before sunrise on St George’s Day doors should be decora
ted with crane's bill, a blooming branch from a fruit-tree and lilac for health. That greenery hung’s on doors until it withers. A lamb is slaughtered in honour of the saint. The feast ends with the evening Easter round dance. Today St.George's day is also considered as an official day of the Bulgarian army. In the capital city big military parade is held.
Compared to winter and spring customs and rituals, those in the summer are fewer, as people are busy working in the fields. In the different regions of Bulgaria there are different rituals that aim to protect from hailstorm and drought.
JUNE
 Every first week of June, in Kazanlak, takes place the Rose Festival. The rose is the symbol of Bulgaria. The Bulgarian rose oil is the best in the world and it is used mainly in the luxury French perfumery. Rose oil is extracted from roses that are picked in the period between the end of May and the beginning of June, early in the morning before the morning dew falls. For the manufacturing of about 1 kg. of rose oil 3000 kg. of rose petals must be processed. Therefore rose oil is even more expensive than gold, but that's not so important. What is important however, is that rose oil is one of the symbols of Bulgaria, it does not exist nowhere else except Bulgaria, nor is manufactured elsewhere. Roses could be found everywhere and they are always beautiful, but Bulgarian rose, that magical rose, which every woman carries with her parfum, without even knowing it, exists only in Bulgaria and not everywhere in the country, but only in Kazanlak and Karlovo region, where climate conditions are very specific. The festivals refer mainly to the traditional rituals of rose picking and rose boiling, recreated in authentic environment with many songs, dances and carnival parades. The festival continues two or three days. Young men and women, dressed in national costumes, welcome the guests of the festival and decorate them with garlands of rose blossoms. The most beautiful girl on the festival is nominated and crowned as the Queen of Roses. Guests are treated with the traditional banitsa, rose jam and rose liquor.
On June 24th is Enyovden (the Midsummer Day), which is the day of the summer equinox. Enyovden is considered to be the most magical day of the year, when spells and charms for love are made. Early in the morning herbs are picked as it is believed that they have best healing properties.
On Saint Peter’s Day (29 June) is the end of Peter’s Lent which lasts for two weeks. Chicken dishes are served on this day.
JULY
Saint Elijah’s Day or Ilinden
In Bulgaria that is the day (20th of July) we pay our respect to the great prophet St Elijah (St Iliya). By tradition on that day no one works to avoid infuriating St Elijah who as the word goes was master of summer storms, hailstorms and thunders.
On that day different fairs and festivities are organized paying tribute to the saint.
AUGUST
The Dormition of the Theotokos or Assumption of Mary – On August 15th is the second day dedicated to the Mother of God, the one that marks the day of Her death. The holy day is preceded by 14 days of strict fast. That is the biggest summer church holiday and everibody bearing the name of Maria, Mario, Mariela, Mariana etc. celebrate their nameday. According to the popular notion Virgin Mary is ordinary woman who stays close to people, protects present and future mothers and their children. It is also believed that She acts as a mediator between Earth and Heaven for the souls of the dead and because of the great compassion She carries into her heart, She is able to decrease the punishment of repentant sinners. According to many ancient scripts She was also able to prevent natural disasters and keep away evil spirits and plagues. On that day people gather in churches and monasteries that bear Her name and pray for Her.
SEPTEMBER
All autumn feasts and customs hover around the preparations for the long winter knocking on the door. Sowing for the next year and gathering the present crops take place and all family members participate.
On 14 September is the Day of the Holy Cross, connected mainly with grape-gathering. On this day the Holy Cross is taken out of the church, a service is performed over it and then the priest sprinkles the worshippers with holy water.
OCTOBER
October feasts start with St Petka's Day (14 October) and St Demetrius’ Day (26 October). St. Petka is one of the most loved and worshiped Bulgarian saints, protectress of the people. On that day usually the preparation of domestic animals and agricultural lands starts, so they could be ready to meet the upcoming cold winter.
On 26 October the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the memory of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki. It is believed that winter comes on this day and therefore the saint is connected with the world of the late; close after Saint Demetrius’ day comes one of the most significant All Souls' Day - when people go to the graves of their late relatives and pay tribute to their souls by giving out food and drinks. In iconography St. Demetrius is depicted as a man riding a red horse. He is a master of the winter and according to the traditional belief the first snowflakes fall down from the grey beard of the saint.
NOVEMBER
Michaelmas (8th November). According to the traditional beliefs, when someone dies, St Michael the Archangel lean's over him and with the help of a sword or a knife takes his soul out of his body i.e. frees his soul. Saint Michael the Archangel's Day is also a day for paying respect to the dead. People go to the graves of their late relatives or in a church to pray for their souls.
DECEMBER
Winter feasts start with St Nicholas’ Day, celebrated on 6th December. Fish meal is cooked on this day (usually stuffed carp). The next feast after St Nicholas's Day is St. Ignatius’ Day. On that day predictions are made, for example the first guest who enters the house on that day is very important because if he is a good person so the following year will be good year, but if the guest is a bad person the following year will be bad too.
 Christmas is celebrated three days in succession – on 24, 25 and 26 December. Six weeks before that day, true believers should start keeping the fast – full abstention from meat and dairy products is expected. Christmas Eve is on 24th December. The table on the Christmas Eve must be teeming with food and should include at least 7, 9 or 12 vegetable dishes as this is the last day of Long Lent so that the coming year is abundant. The master of the house puts „yule-log" (special firewood) in the fire, which burns in the fireplace all night to drive the Evil spirits away from that house. After midnight the Koledari (Carol-singers) go out carrying the good news for the birth of Christ. They wear their best clothes and from midnight until dawn carol-singers go from door to door and sing Christmas carols. Hosts present their guests with a ritual ring-shaped bun. Finally carol-singers gather together and hold a copious feast and part of the food that has being collected is distributed among the poor.
 On 25 December during the day, the pig that has been fattened throughout the year is slaughtered and the festive dinner is prepared. The most popular dish on the table that night is roast pork with pickled cabbage or roast turkey with pickled cabbage.
Christmas marks the beginning of the so called Dirty Days, which continue twelve days, until Saint Jordan's Day. People believe that during those days the forces of evil go out. To drive evil forces away special rituals are carried out called Kukeri (Mummers games). They are performed mainly by men wearing special costumes and masks, representing a ram, a billy-goat or a bull. Masks often have two faces symbolizing good and evil. These games are most expressive and sumptuous in Pernik, Petrich and the southern part of the coast. Such mummers carnivals are carried out during the spring cycle too, around Easter with the most spectacular games being held in the village of Shiroka Laka. The mummer games originate from the ancient heathen rituals dedicated to the underground and natural forces. The visual effect of those costumes is also increased by the sound of copper and bronze bells hanging on them. Such customs exist also in some parts of Italy and Spain and there are many similarities in the rituals and the costumes of the participants.
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