Spring Festivals and Celebrations

Pre-Lenthen Festivals Pre-Lenthen Festivals Sirni Zagovezni,or Shrove Sunday, is also known as the day of forgiveness ("Proshka"). Sirni Zagovezni,or Shrove Sunday, is also known as the day of forgiveness ("Proshka"). In the Christian orthodox tradition it is the day after which starts the fasting before Easter. It is also a day connected with the pagan celebrations of the ending of the winter and beginning of the spring. Fires are lit and mummers dance in the streets to scare the devil. It is also the day of forgiveness. In the Christian orthodox tradition it is the day after which starts the fasting before Easter. It is also a day connected with the pagan celebrations of the ending of the winter and beginning of the spring. Fires are lit and mummers dance in the streets to scare the devil. It is also the day of forgiveness. Originally a custom for young members of the family to ask for forgiveness their parents and grandparents, nowadays it has turned into a day for everyone to ask their closest people to forgive them for anything they might have done wrong during the past year. Originally a custom for young members of the family to ask for forgiveness their parents and grandparents, nowadays it has turned into a day for everyone to ask their closest people to forgive them for anything they might have done wrong during the past year.

Building a fire In old days, one of the most typical features of Sirni Zagovezni was the building of large bonfires in the hills surrounding towns and villages Young and old would gather around the bonfire where they apologize to each other, forgive and forget the small wrongs and old quarrels in the name of friendship and mutual understanding The young men would jump over the fire "for health". It was believed that the one who jumped farthest would be the first to get married in the forthcoming autumn.

At Shrove Sunday, right from the very dawn, a Koukeri band starts its walk around everybody’s home. By means of various symbolic and ritual-magic actions, they are wishing health, land fertility and prosperity to the hosts. The dance of those masked men sends away evil forces by the ringing of the Koukeri bells.

Arrow Fling and “Hamkane” In some parts of the country the young men would fling burning wooden arrows. This was done from the surrounding hilltops, for the arrows had to fall exactly in the yards they were directed at. Each arrow was dedicated to someone, mostly to young ladies because the arrows were a sign of love. The girl who collected the largest number of arrows was considered to be the most beautiful and desirable in the village.

 The popular ritual of “hamkane” is performed that night – a peeled boiled egg, a piece of halva or a coal is tied to a piece of thread hanging from a long pole. Then the thread is moved around in large circles and everyone around the feast table (especially the younger kids) is trying to catch it with mouth only (no use of hands is allowed)  The one who catches the first will care for home, the second one will be lucky throughout the year, the third one will live longest. Then the hostess burns the thread, naming and divining which harvest will be richest.

Forgiveness Day –”Sirni Zagovezni” The last day of Cheesefare Week is called "Forgiveness Sunday", indicating the desire for God's forgiveness that lies at the heart of Great Lent. ***** The day following Cheesefare Sunday is called Clean Monday, because everyone has confessed their sins, asked for forgiveness, and begin Great Lent “clean”!

Todor’s Day – Horse Easter  The most interesting element of the holiday is the horse racing - a custom in which the whole village participates. The men clean their horses, adorn their reins with colorful beads  The winner in the race is awarded – the horse receives new reins and its owner a new shirt or towel. Then the rider mounts his horse again and visits all houses in the village to greet the hosts for the holiday. He is received with joy and his horse is offered water.

The Annunciation Blagovets In folk beliefs on this day cuckoos and swallows come flying and notify summer's coming. On this day everybody wants to be satisfied and to be in cash because in folk beliefs if you hear cuckoo's singing and if you have money, the whole year will be successful to you. People believe that if weather is good on the Annunciation, then the year will be fertile. The Name Day of everyone named Blagovest, Blagovestà, Blagovesta, Blagoy, Blaga, Vangel, Evangelina, Bonka.

Lazarovden Saturday is Lazarovden (Lazar's Day) - a festival devoted to young girls, pastures, fields and woods. It is celebrated each year on the 8 th day (last Saturday) before Easter with typical ceremonies called Lazaruvane. Only young girls can take part in the ritual. The girls gather in groups of about ten at the house of the prettiest one and start from there with their songs to go around the village. Legend says that health, wealth and love will reign in the house that the girls visit. It remains one of the best-loved and known traditions in Bulgaria.

Tsvetnitsa / Vrabnitsa  Palm Sunday is called Tsventisa or Vrabnitsa in Bulgaria.  The Bulgarian Orthodox tradition is to carry flowers and willow branches, rather than palm leaves. People wind them into small crowns and put on the heads of the children for health and blessing.  The day is also regarded as the holiday of the flowers and trees. On Tsvetnitsa-Vrabnitsa all those named after flowers, plants or trees celebrate their name day. On Tsvetnitsa-Vrabnitsa all those named after flowers, plants or trees celebrate their name day.  Early in the morning the young girls who have been ‘lazarki’ on the previous day go to the nearest river and floats a wreath made of willow branches or spring flowers. The girl whose wreath outsails those of the others is pronounced for ‘kumitsa  Early in the morning the young girls who have been ‘lazarki’ on the previous day go to the nearest river and floats a wreath made of willow branches or spring flowers. The girl whose wreath outsails those of the others is pronounced for ‘kumitsa’.

Easter  Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Bulgarian calendar. Starting with Palm Sunday, the holy week leads up to the Great Day.  In the country, the festival is popularly known as "Velikden", which literally means “the faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

Bulgarian Easter Traditions Bright red colored eggs and Easter breads known as "kolache" or "kozunak" are the prominent symbols of Easter in Bulgaria. The top of the Bulgarian Easter bread is embedded with red and white eggs, odd in number. The eggs are cracked after the midnight service and during the next days. This ritual takes place before the Easter lunch. People take turns tapping the eggs together and the person who ends up with the last unbroken egg is believed to have a year of good luck, full of happiness and success!

What do decorated eggs symbolize? The tradition of egg decorating for Easter goes back to centuries. They symbolize spring, renewal, fertility, and eternity. They are a sign of new life!

Bulgarian Easter Bread - Kozunak This Bulgarian Easter bread, known as kozunak, is also served at Christmas and for other special occasions. It's a slightly sweet yeast- raised bread with raisins that crosses the line between bread and coffee cake.

“Ivan Vazov” Primary School Vidin, Bulgaria