National and public holidays in Bulgaria

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

Bulgaria is a colorful and vibrant state in South-Eastern Europe, occupying almost a quarter of the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. The country is distinguished by its impressive, original ancient culture and magnificent nature, and the Bulgarians themselves are hospitable and friendly.

Bulgarian holidays

The inhabitants of Bulgaria are very fond of celebrating various holidays beautifully and cheerfully, for this some of them have been made days off.

The majority of the population, about 85%, are Orthodox, so many Christian holidays are celebrated in Bulgaria.

Orthodox holidays

• Epiphany - 06.01. This is one of the most significant Orthodox holidays, which is very loved and revered in Bulgaria. On this day, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, so at the feast it is customary to perform the rite of blessing water, and after the service, priests, parishioners and everyone who wishes go to the reservoir. It is consecrated by immersing the cross in water and reading prayers, and then everyone who wishes is immersed in water three times and overshadows himself with the sign of the cross. Voditsy - this is how people call Baptism. On this day, it is considered sacredall water. Many people try to draw it early in the morning from a well or spring, then this water is consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, it does not deteriorate for a year or even several.
• John the Baptist - 07.01.
• Tryphon Slaughtered - 14.02.
• Annunciation - 25.03. The day when the Archangel Gabriel brought the good news to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she would give birth to a Son. If the Annunciation falls during the Easter fast, then it is allowed to eat fish dishes on the holiday.
• Palm Sunday.

Major Christian holidays

• Easter. The biggest Christian holiday is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter falls on different dates each year, depending on the phases of the moon after the first spring solstice. Before the holiday, believers adhere to the longest fast of the year - Great, lasting 40 days. In Bulgaria, it is customary to call the holiday Velikden, that is, the Great Day. Passion Week is the week before Easter, the days in which different periods of the earthly life of Christ are remembered. On Maundy Thursday, it is customary to bake Easter cakes and paint boiled eggs, Friday is a strict fast (this is the day when Christ was crucified). On Holy Saturday, those who wish attend a night service, at the end of which everyone exclaims "Christ is Risen" and "Truly Risen" - Easter has come! Then they bless the Easter cakes and go home to celebrate this great event with family and friends. A few more weeks after the holiday, instead of the usual greetings, it is customary to say "Christ is Risen" -"Truly Risen".
• Day of George the Victorious - 06.06. Feast of the veneration of St. George, the patron saint of warriors. The holiday begins with a solemn military parade on the main square of Sofia, near the monument to the Unknown Soldier, and the Bulgarian Patriarch consecrates the battle flags. This is one of the most beautiful spring holidays.
• Cyril and Methodius - 27.06.
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin - 15.08.

Holidays in Bulgaria in December:

• St. Nicholas Day - 06.12.
• Christmas Eve - 24.12.
• Christmas - 25.12.

National and public holidays

• Bulgaria's Liberation Day - 03.03. One of the most important national holidays is dedicated to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke, which enslaved the country for six centuries - from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The liberation was due to the victory of Russia in the war with the Turks. At the end of the XIX century. between Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire signed a peace treaty. Citizens solemnly celebrate the holiday by raising flags and laying wreaths at the monument to the Unknown Warrior, erected in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The memorial was erected in memory of the fallen soldiers of Russia, Finland and Romania, who fought for the liberation of their Fatherland. Also, flowers are carried to the monument of Tsar Alexander II, whom the Bulgarians consider their liberator.
• Day of the Unification of Bulgaria - 06.09. The holiday is celebrated on September 6 - it was on this day in 1885, under the leadership of Chardafon, an uprising began in one of the parts of Bulgaria -Eastern Rumelia. Under pressure from the rebels who broke into the capital of the principality - Plovdiv, the ruler was forced to transfer his powers to the interim government, as a result of which Rumelia was annexed to the principality of Bulgaria. At that time, the country was divided into several parts: Rumelia, Macedonia (the area remaining under the rule of the Ottomans) and the Bulgarian principality itself. The decree on the reunification of the Bulgarian lands was signed by Prince Batenberg, which violated the Berlin Treaty, which caused condemnation and indignation of the rulers of Europe, as a result of which the prince was deprived of the crown. The Bulgarians themselves consider him the unifier of the Bulgarian lands.

Unification Day is one of the most revered national holidays, as the political and economic unity of the country is a very important factor in the development and prosperity of the state.

The national holidays in Bulgaria are distinguished by their scale and grandeur.

Independence Day - 22.09

One of the youngest national holidays, celebrated since 1998

On September 22, a manifesto was issued testifying to the independence of Bulgaria, after which the country, previously considered a principality, passed into the status of a kingdom. Until that time, it was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which had the final say in accepting any political, state and external issues.

The Manifesto of Independence was read in Veliko Tarnovo by Prince Ferdinand, the main festivities take place in this city.

BAt the beginning of the celebration, the Manifesto is read out, after which the light show and concert begin.

After the adoption of Independence, an active cultural and economic upsurge began in Bulgaria.

Art Holidays

• Perperikon. A festival held on the day of the summer solstice in the Rhodope Mountains. Initially, it was dedicated only to theatrical skills, but later representatives of other types of art - musicians and dancers - began to participate in it, as a result of which the event received the status of an "art festival". Since 2003, Perperikon has been included in the National Calendar of Culture. This is a very bright and spectacular event, it occupies a significant place in the cultural life of the country, which is very much loved and expected by the Bulgarians, and everyone involved in music, ballet or theatrical art wants to participate in it. The date coincides with the Christian holiday - the Day of John the Baptist.
• Jazz Festival. It takes place in the city of Bansko, from 8 to 13 August, in the open air. Musicians perform in the evenings, and everyone can come and listen to quality music. Also at this time, jazz is performed in several cafes and restaurants in the city. Every evening eminent jazzmen from all over the world improvise and hold master classes. This is a very significant and prestigious event in the musical world of Bulgaria, in which performers from all over the country strive to take part.
• Plovdiv fair. A significant event in the trade business, in which many foreign traders take part. It combines elements of vintagetraditions and modern market trends. The first such fair took place in 1892. This is one of the largest exhibition markets in Eastern Europe, with an area of more than 35,000 square meters. Here they advertise and sell agricultural products, wines, school supplies, various accessories for fishing, hunting, outdoor recreation, books, building materials, boats, yachts, clothes, equipment, etc. During the fair, many business meetings are held, various trade deals.

Folk holidays

Bulgarians love these holidays no less than others. These include:

• Martenitsa - 01.03.
• March 8.

Rose Festival in Bulgaria

One of the brightest, most beautiful and unusual holidays, which not only Bulgarians, but also tourists from all over the world wish to attend.

Every year in the first days of June, a festival dedicated to the flowering of tea roses is held, during which the flowers are collected, boiled and tasted from the oils made from them.

The holiday ends with a spectacular carnival moving along the city streets and a concert program.

So, what holiday is today in Bulgaria, you can find out by reading this article.

Of course, you should not forget about the following known dates:

• New Year - 01.01.
• Funny day - 01.05.
• Children's Day - 01.06.
• Students' Holiday - 08.12.

Everybody knows what holidays are in Bulgariathe world. They are distinguished by their diversity, brightness and special, Balkan flavor, so many tourists and travelers from all over the world strive to visit at least one of them. Be it Christian, folk or state holidays in Bulgaria.