Traditional treats
The tradition of greeting visitors with bread and salt is still observed in some hotels in Bulgaria. To return the courtesy, you break off a piece of bread, dip it in salt and eat it, drinking red wine. In the country, red has long been considered a symbol of health and prosperity.
The Bulgarian diet is enriched with fruits and vegetables, and the menus of traditional restaurants are full of fermented dairy products.
Traditional meals:
Breakfast (usually fairly light, it can be a muffin and a glass of milk);
lunch (served with vegetables or meat);
Dinner (served mostly meat dishes).
For tourists, local cafes and restaurants, as well as national establishments known as mehanas, offer traditional dishes and familiar European cuisine.
National costume
Now fashion dictates its own terms to the inhabitants of Bulgaria, and clothes have undergone significant changes. On holidays, Bulgarians wear national costumes (they may differ slightly from region to region).
Kazanlak
Clothing. Women here dress in woolen sundresses with deep necklines (mostly dark colors). They also wear white shirts, colorful belts and aprons.
Shoes. Woolen stockings and rawhide shoes are worn on the feet.
Headdress. The head is covered with a monochrome silk scarf (it is tied on the parietal). As an additional decoration can be used a live flower, which is tucked under the scarf on the left side.
Kustendil
Women's clothing. Instead of a sarafan, women wear a swinging garment with short sleeves. Otherwise, the traditional costume is similar to that worn by the women of Kazanlak.
Men's fashion. Men's clothing varies less depending on the area of Bulgaria. Usually, they wear white or yellow-brown suits. The cut of pants and other details can vary greatly depending on the region of the country.
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Holidays and customs
The Thracians, Greeks, and Romans were heavily influenced by the formation of holiday customs. Many holidays have their roots in the pagan past. There are quite a lot of holidays in Bulgaria. We will tell you about the most popular ones.
Survakane
This holiday falls at thebeginning of the new year.
How the festival is celebrated
Boys go around the houses in their neighborhood with a freshly cut dogwood stick. The house is entered with wishes for prosperity and health of the owners.
This rite is believed to drive away all kinds of evil from the house. The hosts give sweets or small money to the children.
Todorovden, Tudoritsa
The holiday is also called Horse Easter. It is celebrated on February 20. It is believed that performing special rituals on this day gives health to horses and couples who got married the day before.
Holiday traditions
Baking a loaf in the shape of a horse or horseshoe;
Feeding the loaf to horses (young wives also eat it. It is believed that it will bring health and give soon offspring);
Horseracing;
the round dance in the square.
After the festivities in the square are over, the people flock to the house of the owner of the horse that won the race. Here the fun continues.
Kukeri
This festival symbolizes the arrival of spring. The celebration date usually coincides with Maslenitsa. The event is marked with a carnival.
Carnival Program
The festival involves men dressed in costumes. They wear masks or paint their faces in dark tones. A special dance is performed to drive away evil spirits.
Day of Saints Constantine and Helena
Celebrated on May 21. One of the main rituals of this day is Nestinarstvo — a ritual fire dance performed on glowing embers, believed to protect people from illnesses. The ritual is carried out by specially trained performers who can dance barefoot on the embers without being burned.
Rose Festival
The festival takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday of June, during the rose blooming season.
How the event is celebrated
The rose is a flower deeply revered in Bulgaria. In its honor, the festival features songs, lively dances, and fireworks. On this day, the Queen of Roses is also chosen.
In Bulgaria, many festivities are accompanied by abundant feasts and competitions, with winners receiving memorable prizes.
