Happy (Late) Holidays

Now that the holidays have passed and school has begun once again I figure it is time for a new blog post from Bulgaria. Much like in America, Bulgaria has many various traditions which are performed for Christmas. Although unlike America, they do not involve Christmas carols or setting out milk and cookies for Santa.

Similar to most events in Bulgaria, the holidays are a time to be with ones family and friends. Relatives travel from across the country to spend a few days with their families to celebrate the holidays and enjoy each others company. Unlike in America, most traditions in Bulgaria take place on Christmas Eve, as opposed to Christmas day. Every Christmas Eve families get together and have a large dinner. According to Bulgarian tradition, the dinner contains no meat and consists of nine different food items. These items typically involve bean soup, surmi (stuffed cabbage leaves,) banitsa (a Bulgarian pastry made with white cheese,) shopska salad, cabbage, bread and fruit.

At the beginning of the meal the head of the house hold divides a large home-baked piece of bread. Baked inside of the bread is a Bulgarian coin. In this tradition, the person or thing who receives the coin will be blessed for the upcoming year. The first piece of bread is “given” to God, then to the house, and then to the father, mother, sons and daughters (in order from oldest to youngest,) then to the guests.

On Christmas day Bulgarians spend the day relaxing and spending time with their families and friends. During the evening there is a large feast with the family’s friends and relatives from town and the surrounding area. At these feasts lamb, pork, and chicken are served in abundance and the dinner lasts late into the evening with dancing and singing, eating and drinking. One interesting tradition, similar to the one on Christmas Eve, involves families baking large portions of banitsa, some filled with cheese, others with pumpkin, and placing inside various fortunes. When the banitsa is cut and distributed, each person finds a little fortune inside telling them what to expect in the New Year. These fortunes include: success, luck, money, a new car, and a new love.

All in all, the holidays are a happy and joyful time in Bulgaria. They are a time to take a break from work and the demands of everyday life to enjoy the important things in life: one’s friends and family.

Bulgarian Phrase of the Week: "Vesila Koleda" (Весила Коледа) = Merry Christmas