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Bulgaria is a country situated in South Eastern Europe. The picturesque city of Sofia is the capital of this east European country Bulgaria. It has international boundaries with Romania, Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and also the Black Sea. The country boasts of a rich culture. Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs and Buglers have left deep impact on the culture of Bulgaria. The country has the reputation of having some of the popular UNESCO World Heritage sites adding further to the cap to highlight the cultural heritage of Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Celebrations vary from one celebration to another celebration. All these celebrations have their respective features, background and significance. Some of the popular celebrations are as discussed:
- Rally Mars Slav Letters Celebrations: The celebrations have specialty marking the Education Day of Bulgaria. The teachers on being so grossly underpaid demand higher pay scales. The celebration took place on January 1, 2007, which demanded increase in teaching community’s pay package and better working conditions. The teachers lamented that to survive with EUR 160 pound a month is not at all worth to survive. The teachers’ grievances were that in neighboring Romania where the pay scales are three times higher there, why not be that in Bulgaria.
- The first of March and Martenitsas: In the Bulgarian culture, during the month of March, the temperament of women changes. On this day, the Bulgarians greet each other with ‘ Chestita Baba Marta’. Bulgarians also present each other with ‘Martenitsas’, which is a type of worm clothes. Martenitsas are of red and white color. Only in Rhodope Mountain, different colors of wool are available. On several occasions in the past, ‘Grossmothers’ prepared ‘Martenitsas’ during the evenings prior to March 1 or on the morning of March 1. On the day of the said morning, gross mothers portray Martenitsas as a symbol of fortune and luck. Martenitsas are handed over to the younger. The younger reciprocate the same to the elders. The festival is a festival of respect and good wishes between elders and the younger generations.
- International Women’s Day: The day is celebrated every year on March 8. On this particular day, the Bulgarian Government honors women of Bulgaria. Not only the Government honors the women, various private bodies do honor women on the day.
- Lazarovden: The Festival is also celebrated eight days before the coming of Easter on any Saturday. The day is also celebrated as ‘Coming of age Celebrations’ for the young girls known as Lazarki. Young girls are dressed in traditional attire with bunch of flowers piled on head. A lot of singing and celebrations continue throughout the day.
- Tsvetnitsa: This is the celebration, which takes place a week before Easter. The day is also special in one sense for those who have namesakes like that of flowers and trees. That is why the day is also called orthodox ‘Palm Sunday’. During the day most people go to church to take the blessings of The Almighty.
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