In the News!

I was recently featured in a two-page article in one of the national papers here in Bulgaria so I figured I would share it with you. The article is titled "The Universal Favorite in Bratsigovo" and talks about my life and work here in Bratsigovo and why I decided to become a Peace Corps volunteer. All in all I'm quite excited I was selected to be interviewed for the article and will have a great souvenir to bring back to America.

P.S.: Have the "martenitsis" arrived yet?

Bulgarian Word of the Week: "Vestnik" (Вестник) = Newspaper

Chestita Baba Marta!

Every year March 1st marks the holiday of Baba Marta (Grandma March.) Baba Marta is a holiday filled with optimism and anticipation of the spring, fertility, and well-being. In order to celebrate this holiday it is custom on to give friends, family, and colleagues little red and white bracelets called "martenitsa." Although quite simple, martenitsas often include a few small blue beads to make each one unique. The common belief is that by wearing the red and white colours of the martenitsa people ask Baba Marta for mercy in the hope that it will make spring come quicker.

Martenitsas are generally worn until one of three things happen. First, and most common, people take off their martenitsas and tie them to the branch of a fruit tree when the trees begin to bud. This is done to ensure a good harvest for the upcoming season. Next, martenitsas are removed when the first stork of the year is seen flying around town. This one may be a bit more difficult in Colorado as I have never seen a stork flying around Littleton or Boulder but here in Bulgaria they are very common around the entire country. Finally, martenitsas are placed under rocks when spring arrives in order to ensure them good luck and health in the upcoming year.

As you can probably guess, the gifts which I sent to you all are traditional Bulgarian martenitsas. Although they will arrive a little later than is custom, when you receive them tie them onto your wrists until the spring arrives, or if you feel like being risky, until you see the first stork of the year.

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