Bulgaria is a colorful and vibrant state in Southeastern Europe, covering almost a quarter of the Balkan Peninsula. The country is characterized by an impressive, distinctive ancient culture and magnificent nature, and the Bulgarians themselves are hospitality and friendliness.
Holidays in Bulgaria
Residents of Bulgaria are very fond of beautifully and cheerfully celebrating a variety of holidays, for this some of them made the weekend.
The majority of the population, approximately 85%, profess Orthodoxy, therefore in Bulgaria it is customary to celebrate many Christian holidays.
Orthodox holidays
- Epiphany - 06.01. This is one of the most significant Orthodox holidays, which is very loved and revered in Bulgaria. On this day, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, therefore, at the festival it is customary to perform the rite of blessing the water, and also after the service, priests, parishioners and all comers go to the reservoir. He is consecrated by immersing a cross in water and reading prayers, and then all comers are immersed in water three times and overshadow themselves with the sign of the Cross. Voditsy - this is the name of Baptism among the people. On this day, all water is considered sanctified. Many people try to collect it early in the morning from a well or spring, then they use this water in the morning on an empty stomach, it does not deteriorate for a year or even several.
- John the Baptist - 01/07.
- Trifon Zarezan - 02/14.
- Annunciation - March 25. The day when the Archangel Gabriel brought the Virgin Mary the good news, announcing that she would give birth to a Son. If the Annunciation falls during the Easter fast, then it is allowed to eat fish dishes on the holiday.
- Palm Sunday.
The main Christian holidays
- Easter. The biggest Christian holiday is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Every year Easter falls on different dates - it depends on the phases of the moon, after the first spring solstice. Before the holiday, believers hold the longest fasting of the year - the Great, lasting 40 days. In Bulgaria, it is customary to call the Great Day, that is, Great Day. Holy Week - the week before Easter, days in which different periods of Christ's earthly life are remembered. On Maundy Thursday, it is customary to bake Easter cakes and paint boiled eggs, Friday - strict fasting (this is the day when Christ was crucified). On Great Saturday, those who wish to attend the night service, at the end of which everyone exclaims "Christ is Risen" and "Truly Risen" - Easter has come! Then they celebrate Easter cakes and go home to celebrate this great event with family and friends. A few weeks after the holiday, instead of the usual greetings, it is customary to say "Christ is Risen" - "Truly Risen."
- Day of St. George the Victorious - 06.06. Feast of veneration of St. George, the patron saint of warriors. The holiday begins with a ceremonial military parade on the main square of Sofia, near the monument to the Unknown Soldier, and the Bulgarian patriarch consecrates battle flags. This is one of the most beautiful spring holidays.
- Cyril and Methodius - 06/27.
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 08.15.
Holidays in Bulgaria in December:
- Day of St. Nicholas - 06.12.
- Christmas Eve - 12.24.
- Christmas - 12.25.
National and state holidays
- The day of the liberation of Bulgaria - 03.03. One of the most important national holidays is dedicated to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke, which enslaved the country for six centuries - from the XIV to XIX centuries. The liberation was due to the victory of Russia in the war against the Turks. At the end of the XIX century. between Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire, a peace treaty was signed. Citizens solemnly celebrate the holiday by raising flags and laying wreaths at the monument to the Unknown Warrior, installed in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. The memorial was erected in memory of the dead soldiers of Russia, Finland and Romania, who fought for the liberation of their Fatherland. Also, flowers are carried to the monument to Tsar Alexander II, whom the Bulgarians consider their liberator.
- Unification Day of Bulgaria - 06.09. The holiday is celebrated on September 6 - on this day in 1885, under the leadership of Chardafon, an uprising began in one of the parts of Bulgaria - Eastern Rumelia. Under pressure from the rebels who broke into the capital of the principality - Plovdiv, the ruler was forced to transfer his authority to the interim government, as a result of which Rumelia was annexed to the principality of Bulgaria. At that time, the country was divided into several parts: Rumelia, Macedonia (the region remaining under the rule of the Ottomans) and the Bulgarian Principality itself. The decree on the reunification of the Bulgarian lands was signed by Prince Batenberg, the latter violating the Berlin Treaty, which caused condemnation and indignation of the rulers of Europe, as a result of which the prince was deprived of the crown. The Bulgarians themselves consider it the unifier of the Bulgarian lands.
Unification Day is one of the most revered national holidays, as the country's political and economic unity is a very important factor in the development and prosperity of the state.
National holidays in Bulgaria are distinguished by the scale and grandeur of the event.
Independence Day - 09/22.
It belongs to the youngest national holidays, it has been celebrated since 1998.
On September 22, a manifesto was issued testifying to the independence of Bulgaria, after which the country, previously considered a princedom, passed into the status of a kingdom. Until that time, it was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which had the last word in the adoption of any political, state and external issues.
The manifesto of independence was read in Veliko Tarnovo by Prince Ferdinand, the main festivities are held in this city.
At the beginning of the celebration, the Manifesto is read out, after which the light performance and the concert begin.
After independence, Bulgaria began an active cultural and economic expansion.
Art Holidays
- Perperikon. Festival held on the summer solstice in the Rhodope Mountains. Initially, it was devoted only to theatrical skills, but later representatives of other forms of art - musicians and dancers - began to participate in it, as a result of which the event received the status of an "art festival". Since 2003, Perperikon entered the National Culture Calendar. This is a very bright and entertaining event, it occupies a significant place in the cultural life of the country, which Bulgarians are very fond of and waiting for, and everyone who is involved in music, ballet or theater art wants to participate in it. The date coincides with the Christian holiday - Day of John the Baptist.
- Jazz festival. It takes place in the city of Bansko, from August 8 to 13, in the open air. Musicians perform in the evenings, and everyone can come to listen to quality music. Also at this time, jazz is performed in several cafes and restaurants of the city. Every evening, eminent jazzmen from around the world improvise and conduct master classes. This is a very significant and prestigious event in the musical world of Bulgaria, in which performers from all over the country are eager to take part.
- Plovdiv fair. Significant business event in which many foreign traders participate. It combines elements of ancient traditions and modern market trends. The first such fair took place in 1892. It is one of the largest exhibition markets in Eastern Europe, covering an area of more than 35 thousand square meters. Here they advertise and sell agricultural products, wines, school supplies, various devices for fishing, hunting, camping, books, building materials, boats, yachts, clothes, equipment, etc. During the fair, many business meetings are held, various trade deals.
Folk holidays
Bulgarians love these holidays no less than others. These include:
- Martenitsa - 01.03.
- March 8.
