While the Western world today pays homage to St. Valentine, in Bulgaria we have the opportunity to make a choice in our festive mood and raise a toast to our love of …wine.
Grapes and wine are very closely related to the folk beliefs and customs of Bulgarians. The red elixir is part and parcel of Bulgarians traditions related to all important events in a person's life path - from birth, wedding to death. That is why the ritual which marks the beginning of the cutting of the vineyards and their preparation for the next harvest is still practiced today in all parts of this country.
The first pruning of the vines is done on the day when we honour St. Tryphon. And although today the Orthodox Church does this on February 1st, the majority of people continue to celebrate the date of February 14th in the old style calendar as the Feast of Vine and Wine known here as Trifon Zarezan (Trifon the Pruner).
You can read more about the traditional notions of wine in Bulgarian folklore, the holidays related to wine and the prohibitions related to the cycle of its production in the publication "Fifty heroes are drinking wine" from Radio Bulgaria’s Best collection.
Edited by Vesela Krasteva
English version Rositsa Petcova
On September 13 and 14 th the Orthodox Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which is one of the greatest Christian holidays, celebrated with special solemnity. In Bulgaria it is widely known as..
On September 8, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nativity of the Holy Theotokos), we take a look at the beautiful valley of Gabrovnitsa River and the Monastery of the Holy Theotokos, better..
Bulgaria is celebrating 145 years of the Shipka Peak epopee - the heroic six-day epic battle in which the native defenders proved that freedom is not a gift, but was won with the blood and sacrifice of thousands of Bulgarians. The Balkan peak of Saint..
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Cloudy