It's January 1st! The first day of 2021, the first day of a new beginning and new hopes for each of us, for our families and loved ones, for all people in the world!
Today Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of St. Basil the Great, also revered by the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Anglican, Lutheran and other churches. St. Basil remains in history not only as a great theologian, scientist, teacher, but also with the charitable institution he organized for the sick, poor and orphans, including hospital, inn, workshops, school, housing for the bishop, priests, doctors and staff.
In the Bulgarian folk tradition, St. Basil's Day is also a time of ritual practices that have pagan roots. Good wishing is important on this day and one of the most common wishes is: "Surva, Happy New Year!" This is the title of an article from the collection of Radio Bulgaria, which tells more about the folk customs performed on this day.
Editor: Albena Bezovska
The biggest holiday for Muslims, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, is Eid al-Adha. It begins in the evening hours of the day of Arife (June 27), when Muslims pay respect to their deceased relatives..
Midsummer's Day or Enyovden in Bulgaria is always celebrated on June 24, when the church honors the birth of St. John the Baptist. Folklore traditions are associated with the day of the summer solstice, when the sun "twinkles" and "plays" at..
April 24 marked the 82 nd anniversary since the birth of Nedyalka Keranova- one of the most remarkable voices of Bulgarian folklore, who passed away in 1966 at the age of 55. Our listener and friend Noris Balabanyan who lives in the USA and whose..
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