St Trifon's Day
St Trifon, aka Trifon Zarezan, is the patron of winegrowers and winemakers. On this day, the men men set out to prune the vines while the women bake festive loaves and roast chicken. At the end of the day, everyone gathers among the vines to eat, drink, sing and dance.
Date: 14 February 2023 - 14 February 2023Venue: Wineries outside Sofia
Cost:
Free.
Orthodox Easter
The predominant religion in Bulgaria is the version of Catholicism that has survived since earliest times in Eastern Europe - the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Easter is celebrated on a different date to Easter celebrations in the west, and with different customs and traditions. After midnight Mass on Easter Sunday, worshippers celebrate outside the churches, carrying candles to symbolise the Resurrection and cracking or smashing eggs that have previously been painted with symbolic patterns and colours. The richly-painted Orthodox Churches are filled with clouds of incense and the singing of choirs at this time, and many rituals are observed, such as kissing the images of saints and processions led by clergy in full regalia.
Date: 16 April 2023 - 16 April 2023Venue: Orthodox churches throughout Bulgaria.
Cost:
Free.
St George's Day
Orthodox festival and official holiday celebrating the martyred St George, also an agricultural celebration heralding the end of spring and beginning of summer.
Date: 06 May 2023 - 06 May 2023Venue: Various churches.
Cost:
Free.
Bulgarian Culture and Slavonic Script Day
National holiday honouring Saints Cyril and Methodius for devising the Bulgarian Cyrillic alphabet, with parades and official ceremony by their statue in front of the National Library.
Date: 24 May 2023 - 24 May 2023Venue: Sofia National Library.
Cost:
Free.
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