Bulgarian folklore blog

March 1st is probably our most intrinsic holiday because it is unique to Bulgaria. The custom of wearing martenitsas (red-and-white threads worn as a decoration) is only popular in Bulgaria and it is perhaps the most positive one in all our folklore. The traditions related to March 1st as well as the martenitsas themselves are associated with optimism and anticipation of warmer weather, fertility and well-being. This tradition is based upon the founding of Bulgaria in 681 AD and there are many more than one folk-legend about the origin of this celecrated day. The name March comes from the Latin Martius, i.e. ‘of Mars’, the god of war, son of Jupiter and Junona. Old Bulgarians called it “birch month” – because the birch trees begin to grow leaves and give sap. Other traditions connected with March include that very early in the morning, even before the month begins, the young ones must be the first to meet the willful old woman. Thus she will be smiling and merry, the weather will be good and sunny. Also, in March people may be reluctant to have their hair cut so that she does not "cut" their brains and they become stupid. Children usually compete who will get the most and often walk around more ornate than a Christmas tree. However, it always bears the same meaning - a lucky charm against the evil spirits of the world, a token for health and a sign of appreciation.

The traditional holiday calendar of the Bulgarians is varied and complicated. The ancient culture on the Balkans has left its imprint on the calendar of the various holidays and ceremonies in Bulgaria. There are events and customs dating milleniums back, combining totemic, animistic pantheist and monist elements characteristic of Mediterranean Antiquity.
In a concise version the traditional holiday calendar of the Bulgarians would look like that:

JANUARY
1 - Sourvaki (St. Vassil’s Day)
6 - St. Yordan’s Day (Epiphany)
7 - St. Ivan’s Day (St. Yoan the Baptist)
8 - Grandmother’s Day (Midwife’s Day)
17 - St. Anton’s Day
18 - St. Atanas’s Day
20 - Rooster’s Day (Day of Fertility)

FEBRUARY
1 - St. Trifon’s Day (Trifon Zarezan)
2 - Candlemas
3 - St. Simon’s Day
10 - St. Haralampi’s Day
11 - Vlas’s Day (Shrove Day - always on Sundays, eight weeks before Easter)
Shrovetide (the first Sunday before Lent) - always on Sundays, seven weeks before Easter
St. Todor’s Day (Horse Easter) - on Saturdays after Shrovetide
(The last three holidays depend on Easter Day and are not fixed. For the next few years Easter will be celebrated as follows:
2002 - May 5
2003 - April 27
Easter is always on Sundays and is used to determine the days of the Christian holidays, which have no fixed dates.)

MARCH
1 - Granny Marta’s Day
9 - St. St. 40 Martyrs
25 - Annunciation

APRIL
St. Lazar’s Day - always on Saturdays a week before Easter
Palm Sunday - on Sunday a week before Easter
Easter - look at above-mentioned dates
Low Sunday - on Sunday after Easter
Sofinden - on Monday after Low Sunday (Prayers for healthy cattle and against drought)
14 - St. Martin’s Day

MAY
1 - Prophet Yeremiah’s Day
6 - St. Georgi’s Day
12 - St. German’s Day (Prayers against hail)
21 - St. St. Konstantin and Elena’s Day
St. Spas’ Day – always the 40th day after Easter
Pentecost (Holy Trinity) – always the 50th day after Easter
Roussalya (Holy Ghost) - the 51st day after Easter

JUNE
11 - St. Bartholomew’s Day
15 - Vidov Day (Prayers against hailstorms and other natural disasters)
24 - Enyo’s Day
29 - Peter’s Day (St. St. Apostles Peter and Pavel)
30 - Pavlyov’s Day (the Day of the 12 Apostles)

JULY
1 - St. Vrach
20 - St. Iliya’s Day
22 - St. Maria Magdalena’s Day
27 - St. Pantelei’s Day

AUGUST
1 - Makavei’s Day
6 - Holy Transfiguration
15 - Assumption

SEPTEMBER
1 - St. Simon’s Day (Start of the ecclesiastical year)
8 - Birth of the Holy Virgin
14 - Krustovden (Day of the Cross)
17 - Faith, Hope and Love (and St. Martyr Sofia’s Day)

OCTOBER
14 - St. Petko’s Day
19 - St. Yoan Rilski Thaumaturge
26 - St. Dimitur’s Day
27 - Mice Day (Prayers against the evil)

NOVEMBER
8 - Michaelmas
21 - Presentation of the Holy Virgin
23 - St. Alexander’s Day
30 - St. Andrei’s Day

DECEMBER
4 - Day of Martyr Varvara
5 - St. Sava’s Day
6 - St. Nikola’ s Day
20 - St. Martyr Ignat’s Day
24 - Christmas Eve
25 - Christmas
27 - St. Stefan’s Day
31 - New Year’s Eve