Traditions

The fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule,at the end of the fourteenth century, resulted in increased the efforts of our neighbors to the south to preserve traditional cultural values. One of the most popular holidays in Bulgarian communities is Martisor, similar in fact to the Romanian tradition . Legend of Martisor is very old, dating from the period Asparuh Khan, who led the Bulgarians within their current countries in 681. By the time his sister Huba and brother Bojan were in captivity, Asparuh sent them a hawk who had tied a white thread to let them know that will help them escape. The two managed to escape, but near the Danube, Bojan was killed by pursuers, Huba he let footing hawk that had linked the thread of white blood reddened his brother to give him the news about his brother Khan . On hearing the news, Asparuh ordered soldiers to wear a white woolen thread and one red wool to keep out of trouble, an event which took place on 1 March 681. The Martisor bicolor or multicolor loaded with magical connotations, is a talisman especially in the ancient civilizations . Cord is a white woman, symbolizing long life, and the man is red, symbolizing physical force. The two wires twisted together clinging coins in ponytail hair, beads, garlic, snails and other enclosures, made into an amulet protecting ("marten") against evil spirits. As in Moldova and Bucovina, in some communities there wont Bulgarian girls to give loved a simple ribbon in two colors. Bulgarians wear the martisor the entire month of March, either lapel or by the wrist, there are social features: unmarried girls in the left side of the dress, peasant girls little finger of his left hand and right sock married men. Removing the martisor was related to weather forecasting practices, which will be hung in trees to bloom. Is thus marked the transition between winter and spring and each faith that all will be better in the beginning. Regarding the Bulgarian customs they relate almost entirely of Roman Catholic rites and feasts and correspond almost entirely. Most spectacular celebration of Bulgarian folk calendar is Baba Marta, who, like Baba Dochia personify spring. In late February, Bulgarians do general cleaning houses because Baba Marta not only visit homes neat! Old people must not leave the house too early for that old just wants to meet young girls and women. On the last day of February, rural children burn a big fire. They cry out? Baba Marta, I'll warm you today and you warm me tomorrow!? and gather around the fire, with various shouts, and when the fire goes out, jump over it. Fire must burn as much and as high as her warm Baba Marta, who personify the sun that can burn people's faces. Bulgarian Dochia is an old powerless, it being always carrying an iron stick that supports. Bulgarians believe that the old lady is very unstable temperament: when Marta smile the sun shines in the sky, and when is mad, bad weather makes its presence felt. It is believed that you will be healthy all year if you wear "Marten" basic adage is: "If you do not wear martisor, Baba Marta will bring evil spirits into your home." Also,

Bulgarians have a cult following for roses, and probably older generations remember the scent of Bulgarian rose with sweet flavor. Bulgaria means and roses, is the place where, in the ninth century, the brothers Chiril and Metodiu founded Chirillic alphabet while being masked homeland "sourvakari" Christmas and many festivals that combine ancient traditions, Thracian, with the Orthodox , Christian. "Ladouvane" is just one example. This usually takes the day before New Year, the day of Saint George or Saint Lazar, means "song of the Rings' and requires that you perform a ritual girls willing to marry. In the morning, they put their rings in a bucket of fresh water, along with a bunch of oats and other symbolic plants: ivy, basil, etc.. Bucket left overnight in the open, like to see the stars and the girls dance around them singing chants. Trifon Zarezan is itself a local tradition, an ancient festival of wine. Take on 14 February each year and is meant to bring blessing vineyards, which, for this purpose, are sprinkled with wine and cleaned.

Winter traditions in Bulgaria

Unlike Orthodox community in the former Yugoslav republics, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania celebrate Christmas on December 25. For Bulgarian Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve (Budni Vecher), when the whole family gathers around the table for dinner. December 24 marks the end of 40 days and nights of fasting period beginning on November 15. Bulgarians still comply with the condition that none of the dishes on Christmas Eve meal contains no meat or animal products. The ritual meal that has a candle in the center, must be seven, nine or eleven dishes. Nuts and honey, and garlic - a powerful weapon against evil spirits that might lurch - are required. Traditional menu includes a round slice of bread with a coin inside cabbage leaf stuffed with rice, white beans, dried red peppers stuffed with beans, stewed dried fruit and pumpkin pie as called tikvenik. After the appearance of the first star in the sky, the oldest member of the family will sprinkle incense on the table and in all rooms of the house. Family members receive pieces of bread ripped from the same slice. The one who finds the coin will have good luck in the coming year. Today, in addition to money, the woman who baked bread for carp include a small branch, which symbolizes health and fortune lucky one for each family member. Projections of these Messages can have one or two words like "love" or "prosperity", but can reach a size and short line. In the early hours of Christmas in a tradition mainly observed in the country, young singles in traditional dress called koledari, going from house to house, singing carols and sending wishes for health and prosperity. At Christmas lunch there are no restrictions. It is usually abundant and includes roast pork, turkey or chicken and pastry products.

The interval between Christmas and the Epiphany, January 6, is called "dirty days" as nights in this transitional period dominated by evil creatures such as werewolves, vampires, demons and dragons. Superstitions say that it is risky to leave the house after sunset or to marry. Bulgarians celebrate the New Year's Eve with great food and drink. They bring back a coin or lucky Messages homemade bread or Banitsa - a pastry typical Bulgarian - they eat that night.

Strange tradition in Bulgaria: Dancing on hot coals

Dancing on hot coals. So it banishes evil spirits in southern Bulgaria. For centuries Bulgarians comply ritual dance on hot coals. Hundreds of people come to be witnesses the moment that they say will bring prosperity and ward off evil spirtele the region.

Traditions in Bulgaria-the day of Saint Parascheva Petkovden

Orthodox Bulgarians celebrate St. Parascheva Day Petkovden. Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Petkovden Day Saint Parascheva Tarnovski. Patron saint of Romania is named by the Bulgarian state because his relics have long been in Tarnovo, Bulgaria, the Romanian-Bulgarian creeping time, between 1238 and 1393. Petkodven is well known and popular holiday in Bulgaria and is considered the beginning of winter. These days, people honor the Holy Parascheva Church but there are many folk traditions, followed by Bulgarians.

Petkovden is considered day on which engagements and weddings can be determined for next year because St. Parascheva gives young people happiness and insight . Harvest on this day must be over, for families thinking having children. People gather at their homes. Women make bread, and young people gather to dance in the middle of the village. From Petkovden (October 14) to Dimitrovden (October 26) women stops spin wool and weave. Popular beliefs say that people who wear clothes made between these two holidays will gets ill. Bulgarian Orthodox believers bring bread with honey (Pitka) high priest who sanctifies them. A well-known tradition in Bulgaria is to prepare mutton grilled one day before October 14 to be eaten in the holy day (if this day falls on Wednesday or Friday).

What we celebrate in Bulgaria?

Although Bulgaria is located further south than Romania, and the minimum winter temperatures are usually higher than on us neighbors winters are quite cold and snowing in the mountains usually. Bulgarian winter holidays are particularly interesting, especially viewed against our own celebrations and customs. Neighbors traditions focus on the interesting mix Slavonic-Turkic cultural history of this area. You can find authentic Bulgarian folklore elements or mixed with the Turkish or Greek. According to local ethnologists, the rich Bulgarian ethnos can see remnants of the Thracian culture and civilization, remnants that have survived until today in songs, ballads, dances and customs. Among the Bulgarian winter is spent primarily in direct contact with religious holidays, carols and even Christian holidays pagan origins still rich culture of this

nation. Bulgarian folk traditions are celebrated among many winter festivals taking place from December to February. And if you cinephiles must necessarily go Kinemania Film Festival in Sofia. Takes place annually in November, just before winter. The event is hosted by the National Palace of Culture and is the largest festival of its kind in the neighboring country. On December 4, Bulgarians celebrate it on St. Barbara, patron of children illnesses, sorrow and poverty. This day is given particular importance neighbors prepare for memory of the holy ritual foods that are consumed on this day only. Children eating a specific soup of beans, made by a unique recipe, soup prepared that the only holy day. Women, especially in rural areas, prepare various sweets cook, then go on street and offers free lucky clouds. Christmas neighbors, or Koledouvane, as it is known, is a celebration marked for every Bulgarian. Carolers, called here koledari, going from house to house wearing one koledarka on shoulders, long sticks of oak, richly decorated and carved with figures in Bulgarian mythology. Bulgarian New Year is the most awaited celebration of winter, marked by numerous ancient customs. Ladouvane is such a tradition still followed by women and girls looking to marry next year. Ladouvane still practiced in the west and central Balkans. Custom requires Ladouvane (or Kumichene) is marked by dances and rituals of divination in water unstarted where they were made overnight of basil. On New Year's Eve, Bulgarians follows local traditions, tightening it all in the oven on and the table filled symbols of safety, sustainability and abundance. Bake a cake ritual, and dominates the middle bowl with Banitza, Bulgarian cheese pie. Honor the fire of the furnace is the oldest member of the family. Is on at dusk and they burn up in late winter as a light dedicated fertility and prosperity.

New Year's morning, children go to Survakari. Exactly! It is a carol our sorcova identical. Survacika called flowering branch, and is an indispensable attribute children's carol on older people, wishing them health, long life and good luck.

On January 1st is celebrated St. Basil, or Vasiliovden, as it is called ... great holiday on Bulgaria, evidenced by the abundance of names like Vasil, Vasilka, Veselin, Veselina.

In Pernik takes place The Surva Carnival , an ancient feast awaited culminating race consists of masks and costumes. Christmas celebration ends with the day of St. Trifon, celebrated on February 1. Dragobete is just Bulgarian, or Valentine's Day south of the Danube. On this day they drink a lot of wine in honor of the holy and most appreciated wine tasters is then awarded in a national festival.