Presenting Bulgaria

On the first of March, Bulgarian people celebrate Baba Marta Day. "Baba Marta" means "Grandmother March" in Bulgarian. On this day, people give each other a Martenitsa. A Martenitsa is a small decoration made of red and white wool threads. Red is the colour of health and life. White is the colour of happiness and purity. People wear the Martenitsa on their clothes or on their wrists. They keep it until they see a stork or a tree with flowers. When they see one, they take off the Martenitsa and put it on a tree branch. This action brings good luck for the whole year. This tradition is very old — it goes back thousands of years. Today, young and old Bulgarians still follow this tradition every year.

Kukeri is one of the most spectacular traditions in Bulgaria. It takes place in January and February, at the start of the new year. Men dress in very large and colourful costumes. The costumes are made of animal skins, coloured fabric, and big heavy bells. The men also wear terrifying masks — they look like monsters or animals. They dance through the streets and make a lot of noise with their bells. The purpose of the Kukeri ritual is to scare away evil spirits and bring a good harvest and health for the year. People believe that the loud noise of the bells drives away bad energy. The tradition is especially popular in the towns of Pernik and Razlog, where there are big international festivals every year. The festival in Pernik is called "Surva" and attracts visitors from many countries.

Nestinari is one of the most unique and surprising traditions in Bulgaria. It comes from the Strandzha mountain region, near the Black Sea. In this tradition, specially trained dancers walk barefoot on burning hot coals — and they do not burn their feet. The dancers carry icons of Saint Constantine and Saint Elena. They enter a state of deep concentration before they walk on the fire. People who do this are called "nestinari". This tradition is a rare mixture of very old pagan beliefs and the Orthodox Christian religion. Scientists and doctors cannot fully explain why the fire does not hurt the nestinari. The tradition is recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Today, the ritual takes place every year on June 3rd, the feast day of Saint Constantine and Saint Elena.

Every June, the small town of Kazanlak in central Bulgaria holds a famous rose-picking festival. The area around Kazanlak is called the "Rose Valley" because it has millions of rose bushes. Bulgaria produces more than 80% of the world's rose oil. This oil is used in some of the most expensive and famous perfumes in the world. The roses must be picked very early in the morning — before the sun gets strong — because heat destroys the scent. Thousands of people come to the festival every year. Visitors can pick roses themselves, watch the rose queen parade, and buy rose products: rose jam, rose wine, rose water, and rose cosmetics. The festival is a celebration of Bulgaria's natural beauty and agricultural tradition. It is one of the most visited events in Bulgaria every year.

The Horo is Bulgaria's most famous traditional folk dance. In a Horo, people stand in a line or a circle and hold hands. Everyone moves together to the music. The Horo is danced at weddings, name day celebrations, national holidays, and village festivals. You can see it at any important celebration across Bulgaria. Bulgarian folk music has very unusual rhythms. For example, some songs use a 7/8 time signature — this means the beats in the music are not equal. This is very unusual in European folk music and makes Bulgarian music unique. Bulgarian traditional singing is also recognised by UNESCO. The singing uses a special open-throat technique, which creates a very powerful and distinctive sound. The Horo and Bulgarian music are an important part of national identity.

The Rila Monastery is the most important cultural and religious monument in Bulgaria. It was founded in the 10th century by a monk called Saint Ivan of Rila. The monastery is situated in the Rila Mountains, about 120 km south of Sofia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the Ottoman period (nearly 500 years), the monastery played a very important role. It kept Bulgarian books, art, and the Bulgarian language alive. Without the Rila Monastery, many parts of Bulgarian culture might have been lost forever. Today, the monastery is still an active religious place. Monks live and pray there. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims visit. The building has beautiful paintings on the walls, colourful arches, and a famous wooden ceiling. It is one of the most photographed places in Bulgaria.

On the first of March, Bulgarian people celebrate Baba Marta Day. "Baba Marta" means "Grandmother March" in Bulgarian. On this day, people give each other a Martenitsa. A Martenitsa is a small decoration made of red and white threads. Red is the colour of health and life. White is the colour of happiness and purity. People wear the Martenitsa on their clothes or on their wrists. They keep it until they see a stork or a tree with flowers. When they see one, they take off the Martenitsa and put it on a tree branch. This action brings good luck for the whole year. Baba Marta Day is only in Bulgaria. It is not a public holiday, but it is a very important tradition for all Bulgarians.

The third of March is the most important national holiday in Bulgaria. It is called Liberation Day. On this day in 1878, Bulgaria became a free country again after 500 years under the Ottoman Empire. The freedom came after the Russo-Turkish War. Russia helped Bulgaria in this war. Many soldiers died for Bulgaria's freedom. Today, Bulgarians remember these people with official ceremonies. There are military parades in Sofia, especially near the Eagle Bridge. Schools, shops, and government offices are closed. People put flowers at monuments. There are also concerts and cultural events in cities around the country. Liberation Day is not just a holiday — it is a day when Bulgarians remember who they are and where they come from.

The sixth of May is St. George's Day in Bulgaria. In Bulgarian, it is called "Gergiovden". This day is very important for two reasons. First, it is the Day of the Bulgarian Army. The Bulgarian army celebrates this day every year with military parades and ceremonies. Second, George (or Georgi in Bulgarian) is one of the most popular men's names in Bulgaria. People with this name celebrate their name day on May 6th. In Bulgarian tradition, name days are very special. On your name day, you invite people to your home. You prepare food and drinks for your guests — you do not wait for an invitation. Traditionally, families eat roasted lamb on this day. The whole family comes together. It is a big celebration of Bulgarian culture, military tradition, and family life.

May 24th is a very special day for all Bulgarians. It celebrates the Cyrillic alphabet, Bulgarian culture, and education. The holiday honours two brothers: Saints Cyril and Methodius. They lived in the 9th century. They created the Glagolitic alphabet, which later became the Cyrillic alphabet that Bulgarians use today. Bulgarians are very proud of this alphabet. On May 24th, school children carry flowers and walk in parades through city centres. Teachers receive flowers and small gifts from students. There are concerts, art exhibitions, and cultural events everywhere. Some people call this holiday "The Day of Letters". It is a public holiday — schools and many offices are closed. This day shows that Bulgarians value education, culture, and their own unique identity in the world.