On January 1, the church celebrates the great Christian thinker, philosopher and writer St. Basil the Great (c. 330-379). He gives realization to the /christian law of love and forgiveness by preaching kindness and charity. He is the organizer of the first charitable monastic center in Caesarea, where the sick and suffering receive free aid. That is why Basil was called "great" and after ...
Free soul and free spirit
St. Stephen's Day – December 27
The day of St. Stefan closes the circle of the old year, because with this day the Christmas holidays end. On this day, the family gathers around a common table with meat dishes. You can read more about national holidays and customs here Folklore collection "Once upon a time - customs and worldview of the Bulgarians" Saint Stephen is the founder of the first ...
Christmas carolers
Christmas Eve and Christmas, in addition to family holidays, are also generally village holidays. Even a week before the holiday, the carol groups gather to remember the old songs and learn new ones. The leader of a squad was the oldest and was called Stanenik. Not everyone and not always could carol. But a guy who wasn't a caroler...
Christmas – December 25
The day after Christmas Eve is Christmas Day. Here again Christian and old folk beliefs are intertwined. At Christmas, the 40-day fast ends. The Church celebrates the birth of the Savior, and the people - the birth of the new Sun. The main symbolism of Christmas is eternal nature, dying and being reborn again and again. The Christmas table is rich and mostly with...
Christmas Eve – December 24
Christmas Eve is one of the most important days of the year for a Bulgarian. The holiday is not movable and is also called Little Christmas. In our native folklore, the rituals and rites with which the birth of the son of God is welcomed are rich. There are many symbols that accompany the holiday. In the holiday-ritual system of Christmas Eve and Christmas, the biblical ...
IGNAZHDAY – December 20
According to the proto-Bulgarian calendar, this is the single day, which is not included in any of the months. It is considered the beginning of the new year. The day marks the winter solstice, when the day is shortest and the night is longest. In the distant past, this astronomical phenomenon occurred around December 20. In 2023, the winter solstice falls on …
The absurdities of a society
From how the world lights up, absurdities in people's lives are a daily occurrence. The more civilized a society becomes, the more non-bivalical things happen. And it is assumed that with time we become more cultured, more human, wiser. Absurdities in Bulgaria are well known. Between people, between institutions... We live in a civilized world, or so it is supposed to. A world where unclear clauses in…
Two short visits to the neighborhood and a spa to take a break from the vacation
A bit of a disappointing start I had passed through Romania three times only transiting by car on the way to the airport. In early 2023, I found a day trip to Grabo, a destination of Constanta and Mamaia, with a visit to the Casino, a panoramic tour of Mamaia, several museums and churches, an aquarium and a MALL. I was with my husband and overall we were disappointed. …
Прочети цялата публикация →„Две кратки визити по съседски и СПА за почивка от почивката“
Winter holidays between Nicholas Day and Ignazhden
WINTER ST. ANNA - December 9 Saint Anna, according to the Bible, is the mother of the Holy Virgin and grandmother of Jesus. On this day, the conception of St. Mary. Anna is a descendant of the famous Aaron family. She is the patroness of women in labor, pregnant women and the family. The people call the holiday Janino or Annino's conception, New Year's Day, Annino's introduction, ...
Прочети цялата публикация →„Зимни празници между Никулден и Игнажден“
CHRISTMAS – December 6
The holiday is Christian and folk. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker of Mirlikia or Saint Nicholas, patron of the seas and of sailors and fishermen. Nicholas was born in 280 in Lycia, a province in Asia Minor into a rich and famous family. He is known as an opponent of paganism and Arianism. Nikolay is the Russian form of the name Nikola. …