The nestinars, or fire dancers, from the Strandjan region celebrate on the day of St. Constantine and Elena. There is an old Strandjan legend telling of how the Bulgarians have started to dance over embers… It was very long ago, in those times when God still walked among the people on earth. One day He felt exhausted of dealing with all troubles of men so he decided to find Himself an assistant. He wondered how He should test his assistant so that He is confident in his loyalty. Finally God made a decision. He started a fire that reached the skies above and gathered all single men. When the fire turned into blazing red ambers, God said: “He who walks barefooted into the fire and dances over the embers would be appointed my assistant!” The bachelor watched the glowing embers and could not make up their minds and take off their shoes. Finally one brave young man, whose name was Kostadin, entered barefooted into the fire, danced over the burning embers but felt no pain. God asked him to become his assistant. А year passed and Kostadin felt like getting engaged. God finally agreed and let Kostadin choose a wife that would suit him. God wanted to help Kostadin. In order to find him the best wife God decided to put all young women to the same test – to make them dance over embers. Young Elena got into the fire and danced over the glowing embers. God blessed that day and named it after the couple – Kostadin and Elena. Since that day the Bulgarians in Strandja dance over embers.
