The Bulgarian holidays
Bulgarians combine and celebrate the old Slavic and Pre-Bulgarian rituals together with the catholic and orthodox holidays. Here is a list of the most vivid Bulgarian holidays.
1st Jan - New Year
6st Jan - Jordanovden: on this day brave Bulgarians jump into ice-cold waters to catch a cross thrown by a priest. It's said that whoever catches the cross shall be strong and healthy through the whole year. On the other side spectaculars sprinkle water over their foreheads for health.
2nd Feb - Male mother's day: as the legend goes in order not to have her boy captured and killed by the Turks one Bulgarian mother slaughtered a cock and painted with his blood the front house door. When the Turks came they saw the blood and taught that the boys have been already captured and left the village. This way the mother saved her child.
14th of Feb - Trifon Zarezan, day of the wine-growers, wine-makers, pub-holders and gardeners. On this day every wine-grower cuts several branches or 3 roots and pours the earth ground with wine. This ritual is usually combined with blessings for a good yield.
1st of March - Martenica - on this day all the Bulgarians put red and white stripe laces on their hands, necks and/or threaded man and woman figures on their dresses. They symbolize and bring health through the upcoming year.
3rd of March - Official freedom for Bulgaria
8th of March - Woman's day - all kindness, respect and presents are given to women.
1st of May - International day of Labour
6th of May - Gergiovden: day of the Bulgarian army. On this day it's a common to eat a marvellous prepared lamb soup called "kurban" or a main dish with lamb liver and rice "drob sarma"
24th of May - Day of the Slavic culture and writing
6 Dec - Nikulden: feast of the fishermen. On this day preferred food is fish, with the most popular dish - stuffed carp.
8 Dec - students holiday
24 Dec - Christmas
1st Jan - New Year
6st Jan - Jordanovden: on this day brave Bulgarians jump into ice-cold waters to catch a cross thrown by a priest. It's said that whoever catches the cross shall be strong and healthy through the whole year. On the other side spectaculars sprinkle water over their foreheads for health.
2nd Feb - Male mother's day: as the legend goes in order not to have her boy captured and killed by the Turks one Bulgarian mother slaughtered a cock and painted with his blood the front house door. When the Turks came they saw the blood and taught that the boys have been already captured and left the village. This way the mother saved her child.
14th of Feb - Trifon Zarezan, day of the wine-growers, wine-makers, pub-holders and gardeners. On this day every wine-grower cuts several branches or 3 roots and pours the earth ground with wine. This ritual is usually combined with blessings for a good yield.
1st of March - Martenica - on this day all the Bulgarians put red and white stripe laces on their hands, necks and/or threaded man and woman figures on their dresses. They symbolize and bring health through the upcoming year.
3rd of March - Official freedom for Bulgaria
8th of March - Woman's day - all kindness, respect and presents are given to women.
1st of May - International day of Labour
6th of May - Gergiovden: day of the Bulgarian army. On this day it's a common to eat a marvellous prepared lamb soup called "kurban" or a main dish with lamb liver and rice "drob sarma"
24th of May - Day of the Slavic culture and writing
6 Dec - Nikulden: feast of the fishermen. On this day preferred food is fish, with the most popular dish - stuffed carp.
8 Dec - students holiday
24 Dec - Christmas
