Bulgaria, Celebrations, 3 March - Liberation Day
Bulgaria’s National Holiday marks the Liberation in 1878 from 500 years of Ottoman rule. The names of Georgi Rakovski, Lyuben Karavelov, Hristo Botev and Vassil Levski are all linked to the liberation movement in the 1870’s although it was finally the intervention of the Russian army that liberated Bulgaria.
Bulgaria, Feasts, 1 March & MartenitsaMarch is generally known as the women month because the weather is said to be as moody as a women mood swings (Cold harsh winter/warm and pleasant spring).
"Chestita Baba Marta" is the way Bulgarians greet each other on this day. On this day Bulgarians are used to give each other Martenitsas.
Usually Martenitsas are made from Red and White wool threads. And only in Rhodope mountain you can find them made with lots of different colors of wool. The white is bringing the male origin, force and gold, and the red is bringing the female origin, health and fortune. Together the red and white are symbolizing health and happiness for the coming months.
In the past Martenitsas was made by grossmothers in the evening before 1st of March or early in the morning of 1st of March. On the 1st of March grossmothers put Martenitsas first in the trees per Fortune and Luckiness. Then they gave Martenitsas to the children and everybody else following from the youngest to the oldest people.
In nowadays you will see lots of stalls with Martenitsas all over the streets in all the cities and town in Bulgaria. Each year the assortment on offer gets more elaborate. Martenitsas are usually pinned to lapels or ties around firsts and worn till the first stork is seen. When you see the first stork you should get your Martenitsa and to put it in the first bough of the trees making a wish.
Martenitsa is something which people gave each other and it is a tradition not only in Bulgaria but also in Romania and Albania. In Romania Martenitsa is called Marteshot. Also there people should bring their Martenitsas all the March.
Here you could read on the best good poem about Month March and Martenitsas. For now only in Bulgarian language.
БАБА МАРТА БЪРЗАЛА
Баба Марта бързала,
мартеници вързала:
морави, зелени,
бели и червени.
Първом на гората
да листят листата.
И да дойдат всичките:
щъркелите, птичките,
първият певец,
Косер хубавец.
После на градините
да цъфтят гиргините
и латинки алени,
и божури шарени.
Ябълки да зреят,
круши да жълтеят.
А пък на дечицата
върза на ръчицата
мартеници чудни
със ресни червени,
да са ранобудни,
да растат засмени...
Here is my favorite Martenitsa Pijo & Penda:
Celebrations & FeastsHere you will learn something about Bulgarian Celebrations & Feasts. You could read some informations about Bulgarian Celebrations and Feasts choising one from menu up or from the list down. Once I have pictures for some of them I will publish them here.
The First Of March And Martenitsas
3rd March National Liberation Day
8th March International Women’s Day
6th of May Gergiovden - St. George Day
Cyril & Methodius – 11th May and 24th of May – Bulgarian Alphabet
Some other fests with different date
Bulgaria, Folklore & LifeOn this page you will learn something about Bulgarian Folklore & Life. There are lots of things to see and know. With the time I will try to find new things about Bulgarian folklore, Bulgarian celebrations and feasts, Bulgarian food, recipe for food, style of living and other and to publish here. So why, dear friend, come and check my web site from time to time.
In some photos about Bulgarian Folklore you can see some typical Bulgarian garments used 100 years before. Sit for photos Rosa and Jordan Vlashki. You can see also some typical effects of the old Bulgarian style of living. These effects in nowadays are almost disappeared and you can see them mostly in museums or to buy them like souvenirs.
In photos about typical Bulgarian food I will try to add always new things and also to look and add new recipes. In one of the photos you will see a Flat Round Loaf prepared by my mom Nelly. A flat round loaf is prepared by hands usually for celebrations and feast but not only.
In the directory of Life you can see the Easter eggs, which Bulgarians are used to prepare for Easter. In the photos you can see Easter Eggs and again Eggs, prepared by me. You will find also some tipical Easter sweeties there.
In Christmas Bulgarians are used to slaughter pigs and then to have a fresh meat for holidays. In one of the photos you will see this feast.
My hobby is to go fishing and I like it a lot. In one of the photos you will see me with my father Peter and his friend.
Enjoy my photos of Bulgarian Folklore & Life!
