The outgoing year has brought many disappointments to Bulgarian amateur artists as they faced difficult choices and decisions. Nevertheless, Margarita Petkova and Georgi Iliev are optimistic. They do not know each other, but they have a common cause - to breathe life into Bulgaria’s ancient traditions.

"Amateur and self-taught artists are people who do not lose their dedication, despite all the difficulties," Margarita says. She is the mayor of the village of Tsarevets and an ardent guardian of folklore traditions. “The village, which is part of the municipality of Mezdra, has about 280 permanent residents. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Community Center and the mayor's office work together in all of the initiatives of this big family. The biggest of these initiatives is the Belokamenitsa Folklore Festival but its fifth edition this year was postponed because of the pandemic.”

"The last holiday in the village was on March 3. You know what happened to us after that. Naturally, we were shocked and we stopped all activities," Margarita Petkova recalls.

How is a mayor of a small village in northern Bulgaria doing in the "interesting times" we live in?

"We realized that if we stopped cultural events, we would sever ties with people and that would make them even more depressed. We decided to use every opportunity to bring joy to people, to let them know that we are together in everything. We marked all the important dates online and tried to include the children when possible. Now our Christmas tree is decorated, but the traditional Children's Christmas will not take place. We will once again use modern technology to offer our greetings to all residents of the village. Santa Claus will visit the houses with children to make them happy and bring them gifts.”

In an unusual way, the New Year will come too, Margarita Petkova continues. “This is a new beginning, let's welcome it with hope!”

We now go to Tsarevo - a beautiful Black Sea town near Bulgaria’s southeastern border. Georgi Iliev works here. He is a fire dancer, folk singer, chairman of the "Sts. Constantine and Helena” Cultural Club, head of the Hasekia Folklore Dance Club.

What are the things we should not forget even when difficulties seem to be endless? Here is Georgi Iliev's answer:

"We must not forget the roots, traditions and most of all - communication with people. It is difficult to work during a pandemic, but we still managed to realize much of the cultural program of our club. In addition to nestinarstvo (fire dancing), one of the traditions we observe is Koleda (Christmas). In the beginning we learned the traditions from middle-aged men who were koledari (carolers) and who knew the songs and customs well. After a year or two they retired, but young boys were constantly joining.”

What is the tradition that Strandzha koledari observe?

“The preparation starts at the end of November with recalling the songs and the ritual. We try to convey important details to the new members of the group, in order to know what the deep meaning of the custom is. My favorite carol is for health in the home and my favorite song is "Zamachi se Bozha Maika". The song dates back to ancient times and carries so much charge and emotion. Perhaps, it is closest to my heart because it was the first carol I learned when I was a child. I wish all of us to be healthy, a little wiser, and very lucky! We have a saying: ‘Have luck to be healthy and you can do everything else!’ Just like koledari say after the rituals: ‘Let it be!’”

This year due to the restrictive measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the holding of the ritual was postponed in the last moment. Yet the young members of the club remain hopeful that better days will soon come and they will be able to continue the tradition.

English: Alexander Markov

Photos: courtesy of Margarita Petkova and Georgi Iliev