Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Measures against Covid-19 cannot stop Epiphany ice horo dance in Kalofer

Photo: BTA

In the town of Kalofer, the traditional men's horo dance in the Tundzha River on Epiphany was held once again despite the anti-epidemic measures. Led by a bagpiper and a drummer, men in traditional folk costumes went to the waters of the river early in the morning.

"The holiday is something of a symbol and relic for our town. This ritual is for health!" Mayor Rumen Stoyanov has told the Horizont program of the BNR. "I take responsibility and I can be fined," the mayor added. He is also a traditional participant in the ritual, but in 2021 he did not take part in the icy dance because of his official position.

The mayor said that he could not stop the ritual and the strong faith of the citizens of Kalofer and added that even the communist regime before 1989 had failed to break the tradition.

Because of the "male horo dance", the mayor of Kalofer Rumen Stoyanov has been fined with a penalty of 1,000 leva (511 euro) for non-compliance with the anti-epidemic measures currently in force in Bulgaria.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Warm weather is back

On Wednesday, lows will be between 5 and 10°C, with Sofia around 7°C. The sky will be mostly sunny, with some clouds in the eastern areas before midday. Light to moderate winds will blow from the south-east. Maximum temperatures will be between 19 and..

published on 4/15/25 7:05 PM

DPS-DPS party to decide whether to continue supporting the government

The operational leadership of DPS-DPS party met to decide whether to continue its support for the government. This is happening a day before the discussion of the second vote of no confidence in the "Zhelyazkov" cabinet on the topic of corruption...

published on 4/15/25 5:45 PM

Housing prices in Bulgaria have increased 2-3 times in 10 years

Over the past 10 years, housing prices in Sofia have tripled, and in large cities more than doubled. This is according to data from one of the largest brokerage companies on the Bulgarian market.  "If in 2015 in Sofia you could buy a home..

published on 4/15/25 5:03 PM