Bulgarians are a proud nation with more than a thousand years of history, and this reflects by being a nation full of traditions, some of them are even before the country adopted Christianity in the 9th century.
Bulgaria has its unique set of authentic traditions and customs, from Name days to a special day to ask for forgiveness, the famous Martenitsa tradition, and some confusing Liberation and Independence celebrations, and other worldwide celebrations but always with the distinctive Bulgarian twist.
We have prepared a list of some of the most important celebrations in Bulgaria, they are many and everyone with their special rituals and significance, also we can count dozens of festivals during the year:
Many of the traditional festivities in Bulgaria include clothes that are specially dressed for the celebration.
Bulgarian festivals
The Rose festival
Roses Festival in Kazanlak
The Festival has been organized annually since 1903 in Kazanlak. It celebrates our deep connection to the Rosa Damascena – the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose and all the gifts it has blessed the Rose Valley with for centuries.
Cultural events, dance, music, artistic, social and sports events happen across Kazanlak and the surrounding villages in May-June
Cherry Festival in Kyustendil
Each year the town of Kyustendil hosts at the end of June the so-called Cherry Festival.
This is the region where the best-quality cherries are produced and people are impatient to see well-ripen cherries, as they are regarded as heralds of summer and the gate that leads to fertility in the whole Kyustendil region.
That is why this region is also known as Bulgaria’s fruit garden.
Surva Festival in Pernik
Surva is a colorful tradition that every last weekend of January in the city of Pernik becomes the home of scary masked men and women, and bells ringing all around to chase and put away the evil spirits.
Zheravna national costume festival
The particularity of this festival is that everybody that wants to enter the festival area, must wear a traditional costume (folklore costumes from other countries are also allowed) no modern dress is permitted. the festival has a duration of 3 days in the village of Zheravna.
Pirin sings festival
Every 5 years in the region of Pirin its held this amazing singing festival, is an outstanding manifestation of the authentic Pirin folklore traditions, get ready for the 2020 edition.
International folklore festival in Varna
Established in 1992 under the initiative of the Varna Municipality, it is held every year in the first week of August. According to the festival regulations, youth and adult ensembles from all over the world, as well as groups for authentic folklore art, are admitted to participation.
Sprat Festival in the village of Kranevo
The participants of the fest can compete who can drink more beer or can eat more fish faster. Or to jump into a swimming pool with alive fish and see who can catch more fish with bare hands. There will be also a program with Bulgarian singing and dancing stars during the days and nights of the festival.
and many more
Now you know, it’s time to have fun and enjoy the celebrations and festivals in Bulgaria!
Leave us a comment if we forgot to include your favorite Bulgarian Celebration!
