Palm Sunday

If you are still wondering why were all people carrying tree branches on the streets today, check this link 🙂 There’s also some info about another interesting Bulgarian traditional ritual that took place yesterday all over the country!

Saturday marked Lazarovden (Lazar’s Day), when Christ raised the faithful Lazarus from the dead. Lazarovden ceremonies, called Lazarouvane, are among the best-loved Bulgarian traditions. The Saturday before Easter is a festival devoted to young girls, pastures, fields and woods.

In Bulgaria’s village communities, Lazarovden was quite an event in the life of every young girl, for then she could demonstrate to the townspeople that she had already grown to be a “complete maiden”. The girls would gather in groups of about ten at the house of the prettiest one and start from there with their songs to make a round of the village.