St. Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria are revered by the church, but according to popular legends, St. Athanasius is the lord of ice and snow. Dressed in a silk shirt, he goes to the mountains on his white horse and utters the words: "Go away, winter, come, summer!". That is why the holiday is also known as Midwinter. More about the holidays and...
Antonovden – January 17
St. Antony the Great is also the patron of basket makers, because during his lifetime he wove baskets from palm branches and thus earned his living. He was born about 251 in Egypt. 20 years of his life the saint spent in complete seclusion in the desert. He was also a healer, he talked for hours with the sick and...
Folk instruments - BAGGAGE
The bagpipe is a brass and wind instrument. It is found in almost all folklore areas. After the kavala and gudukulka, the bagpipe occupies a worthy place in terms of popularity. It is known even in the ancient culture of Asian countries. Today it is found in almost all European nations. There are three types of bagpipes in Bulgaria - kaba, dzura and Macedonian. The Kaba bagpipe is characteristic...
The cookers
Kukeri are Bulgarian ritual carnival figures, men predestined as beasts or as the typical characters: the grandmother, the grandfather, the publican, the king). Their main purpose is to ward off evil forces. They are also called chaushis, babugers, stanchinaris, dervishes, old men, saturs or jamalars. The games are performed only by men, mostly bachelors. These evil chasers perform their New Year's rituals...
Genoa, Perugia and Umbria - Genova, Perugia e Umbria
Genoa - Genova Genoa is an Italian city located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea with a large port. It is the largest port not only on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, but also in the whole of Italy. Raw materials needed for industry are unloaded here from all over the world. Genoa was a maritime republic. In the 14th century, the Republic of Genoa extended its dominion...
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La Befana and Epifania - La Befana e l'Epifania
Today in Italy they celebrate Befana. Oggi in Itaia e'la festa della Befana. At the end of the calendar year, the holiday cycle ends on January 6 - Epiphany, and the people say that after that date the holidays go away. The term "Epiphany" is of Greek origin and means "manifestation"; it is used by the Christian tradition to indicate the first manifestation of...
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Midsummer - January 7
Christianity dedicates this holiday to one of the greatest prophets, who zealously preached the coming of Jesus Christ to the people - namely, John the Baptist or the Forerunner. He is revered as the protector of brotherhood and godfatherism. Therefore, on this holiday at noon, the newlyweds visit the house of their brother-in-law and best men and bring them brandy, ...
Epiphany or Jordan Day - January 6
Epiphany is one of the most ancient Christian holidays. This is the day that John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. After the sacrament, people saw with their own eyes the Christian trinity of Father (voice), Spirit (dove perched on Christ's shoulder) and Son (earthly man) and began to believe. That is why the day is also called Epiphany. With the baptism of water, the world…
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Survaki – January 1
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 ...
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 ...