A celebration of winegrowers and wine in older times, and today a celebration of love. In the old style, it is celebrated on February 1, but most people celebrate Tryphon Zarezan on 1February 4. Since the time of the Thracians, viticulture and winemaking have been developing in our lands. The Thracians called the patron god of wine and winegrowers Sabazius or Dionysus. He is the predecessor of the Christian St. Tryphon.

The legends of Tryphon and Dionysus are very similar. Tryphon mocked the Holy Virgin Mary and God punished him by cutting off his nose with a vinedresser. Since then, his nose has been chipped, but people cherish and honor it. The legend of Dionysus tells that King Lycurgus was annoyed by Dionysus' cheerful retinue and expelled them. The god became angry and confused the king's mind. He thought he was cutting down the vine, but in fact he killed his son.

How they celebrate the wine festival in Germany

Early in the morning of the holiday, the housewife kneads the bread, decorated with various symbols of fertility: birds, grapes. She bakes a hen stuffed with bulgur or rice. When everything is ready, she gives the feast to her husband and sends him to the vineyard with a new, colorful bag. She also gives him a jug of wine. All the men of the village head to the vineyards, carrying bags of wine and food. They stand facing the sunrise and cross themselves three times. Then they cut the first three rods from the vines and water the place with holy water, ashes and red wine. The ashes are of course saved from Christmas Eve. And because the owners know that the vineyard will not only need prayer, but also a hoe, they immediately get to work, albeit dressed in festive clothes. Thus begins the spring pruning of the vineyards, and from there the holiday is called Zarezan. And like every holiday, there are a number of rituals that are performed to make the vine bear fruit and the wine become rich and red.

You can read more about the holidays and customs in the collection

Folklore collection "Once upon a time - manners and worldview of the Bulgarians"

The vine growers choose a “king”. This is usually the most knowledgeable vine grower or the one who has the best vineyards. They make a crown for him from the already cut vine branches and decorate him with wreaths. In some villages, the vine growers cut whole bundles of branches and then distribute them in the village for blessings. The more you give, the more you will get back. In some places, the owner brings the first cut branch of the vine into his home and places it in front of the icon. The “king” cuts it first and pours wine over it. After him, the others. Then the men indulge in celebration and merriment. The more wine they drink, the richer the harvest will be.

But the celebration does not end at the vineyard. The men return to the village and the festivities continue. As a group, they move together and go around the houses. And the hosts compete to welcome them and treat them so that the "king" blesses their home and farm. When they have gone around everywhere and pronounced their blessings, the winegrowers gather at the "king's" house and continue the celebration. The fun continues until the evening. Although the day is dedicated primarily to viticulture, if the fruit trees in a garden do not bear fruit, the owner of that day performs a ritual intimidation. Even before sunrise, the man swings an axe as if to cut down the tree and says so in words. There is another person with him, usually one of the sons, who restrains him and assures him that this year the tree will definitely bear fruit.

The wine festival also marks the beginning of agricultural activity, which will not end until autumn, when it is time to harvest the grapes.

© 2023 Iliana Dechkova