In Bulgaria, Christmas is celebrated on December 25, and this was after the Orthodox church in the country reviewed its Julian calendar several decades ago. The most common day that you will find people enjoying various activities is on Christmas Eve. The traditions have been kept alive over the years and when you visit the region you can learn more about the local culture and traditions that Bulgarians enjoy during the Christmas period.
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Budnik
Budnik is an oak tree found in the Bulgarian mountains. The local people are usually looking for the best log in this period. Once they have identified the tree, they will then feel it before taking it home. Traditionally, a young man in the family will dress properly in his Christmas clothes and he will then set foot to look for the best oak tree.
Once they have identified the best tree, they will then make a prayer for forgiveness before they can chop it down. It is important to note that the Bulgarians believe that the tree is not supposed to touch the ground. They will then carry the log shoulder-high until they reach the homestead.
This log plays a critical role, and it is considered an important part of Christmas rituals. Once the young man arrives at their homestead, they will then cut a part of the tree or create a small hole that is filled with wine, olive oil, and incense. The hole is plugged and wrapped with white linen before it is put into the fire.
The entire family will then gather around the tree as they sing Christmas songs and recite poems. It is one of the most important days in the Bulgarian calendar. There are prayers and supplications offered to the gods before the log is burned. These prayers are believed to bring luck, love, happiness, and good health.
Christmas celebrations in Bulgaria
Just like other countries across the globe, Christmas celebrations in Bulgaria usually begin on December 24. During this period the people will often begin their decorations and preparation of the house for the birth of Jesus.
Since the Christmas celebration is different from the eastern Orthodox church, you will find the local people celebrating the traditions in the area. There is a huge dinner that brings friends, relatives, and other family members to the table where they will eat dinner before attending a midnight mass.
Ignazhden and Nikulden
December marks the beginning of festivities in Bulgaria and during your visit, you will find people preparing for these unique holiday traditions. Different beliefs are associated with the Christmas period with some of them having a Christian background while others are known to have a pagan characteristic to it.
It is common, especially in the rural areas around the country. Some Western customs and traditions are often accepted in different parts of the country while others still maintain the ancient traditions that have made the country a unique location to visit. The Advent fast is marked on November 15 and during this, the Bulgarians will prepare for the fast which will take them forty days, until Christmas Eve.
During this period, it is believed that people do not eat food of animal origin. Many of the local people consume fish during this time and carp is a common species eaten across the country. In many places in Bulgaria, you will find that the people are vegans hence you will learn something new from the people in the region.
St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day or Nikulden, as it is popularly known in Bulgaria, is an important occasion because it is focused on celebrating the day of the fishermen. It is believed that St. Nicholas was the patron of the fishermen, and it is usually marked on December 6.
This holiday is not only celebrated by it is believed that it brings prosperity, luck, and good health. During this day it is common that you will find all kinds of seafood eaten across the country. The fish consumed on this day is considered a sacrificial fish and it must be freshly caught and flaked. During the preparation process, it is taboo for the fish scales to fall on the ground because the Bulgarians believe that it is bad luck.
The local people believe that the fish must be prepared as a whole and not torn because it means that luck will be lost. In most parts of Bulgaria, you will find that they consume carp, which is wrapped in dough and often stuffed with raisins, onion, rice, and nuts.
In areas where carp is not accessible, the locals will use a favorite fish and fill it with the ingredients, making it a delicacy.
St. Ignatius Day
Ignazhden or St. Ignatius Day is an important day in the life of the Bulgarians. This day is celebrated on 20th December and according to the traditions in the country it is for the labor pains of mother god. The next days are often filled with rituals of happiness in the coming year.
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On the evening before the holiday, the people will put vegan foods on the dining table such as walnuts, raw wheat, corn, beans, wheat, bread, and a candle. The eldest family member will then walk with charcoal and incense as they pray against evil spirits.
It is believed that the first person who will visit the house in the morning in this region will determine how the year will be in the region. If a lucky man visits the household, then the family will be lucky and healthy throughout the year.
Christmas decorations in Bulgaria
Perhaps the most important part of the celebrations are the decorations. During this period on Christmas Eve, the people will get the Christmas tree from the forest such as fir or spruce and the children and other young members of the household will participate in the decoration of the Christmas tree.
They will put toys, balls, and lights on the Christmas tree. The people in the urban centers around Bulgaria do not have to go to the forests as those in the rural areas because currently the Christmas tree can be purchased in one of the Christmas markets around the country.
It is not a must that people decorate their Christmas tree with expensive lights. People use locally available materials such as handmade toys and walnuts which are hung on the tree.
Christmas Eve in Bulgaria
This is when there is a beehive of activities around the country. The Christmas Eve traditions include enjoying special meals, fasting, singing Christmas carols, and attending a church service. Christmas Eve is associated with togetherness, meeting with friends and family members as well as cooking special meals for the family members.
These days are also popular because people come and decorate the Christmas tree. There is bringing of the log from the forest as well and it is believed that the log will keep the people warm throughout the festive season. The light and warmth are a symbol of the light and warmth that was there when Jesus was born.
The family will gather around the log, and they believe that their ancestors will visit them. They believe the ancestors will bring wealth, luck, love, happiness, and food.
Christmas eve dinner in Bulgaria
The Bulgarians usually have their own unique Christmas Eve dinner. Since the people in Bulgaria usually observe fasting forty days before Christmas Eve, this is the day for breaking fast. Commonly, you will find that they consume vegan food during this period.
The dishes prepared during this day are vegan and the food must be prepared in odd numbers. It is common to prepare seven, 9 or eleven-course meals. The most common dishes that you are going to find people consuming on Christmas Eve include sarma which is cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, honey, bean stew, pumpkin dishes, walnuts, turshia, and a lot of fruits such as apples, bananas, and oranges.
Pita or a round bread is often prepared during this period and people join their friends and family in celebrating during this period. The elder member will break the bread before sharing it. There is a chicken pea, bean, or matchstick that is placed inside the bread and whoever consumes the bread will be the luckiest person in the coming year as well as hosting the party.
Koledari
Once Christmas dinner is over, it is common for people across the country to participate in various fun activities. The Koledari is a common tradition where young men will dress up in traditional clothes and they will move from one house to another as they sing Christmas songs and recite Christmas poems.
The young men are usually rewarded with sweets, candies, and money. There is a special food called Koledni gevretsi and it is believed that these songs are to bring good health and luck in the coming year.
Christmas Day celebrations in Bulgaria
The Christmas day in Bulgaria is filled with a wide array of activities that people enjoy. Children will find their presents from Santa under the Christmas tree and the adults will share their Christmas presents. It is an ideal moment for different members of the family to meet and share experiences of the year.
Since fasting usually ends on Christmas Eve, this day is for feasting and drinking. You will find that people consume foods that are rich in meat. Pork is at the center of the Christmas dishes in Bulgaria, and you will also get sour cabbages as well as other regional side dishes.
Some of the common dishes include sarma steaks, minced meat, kapama and pickles.
New Year fireworks and banitsa
The festive holiday in Bulgaria comes to an end on January 7th. It is common to see fireworks on New Year’s Eve in major cities around Bulgaria.
You can combine fun activities such as skiing during this period, and it is common to celebrate and wish each other a happy new year.
Banitsa is a celebration in Bulgaria where people will write their wishes on paper and jumble up before they can pick them up and read. It is a way of predicting their upcoming year. The new year will bring good luck and health and many people usually celebrate during this time of the year.
Let’s learn more about the Christmas traditions of Bulgaria’s neighbors as well:
