This coming Sunday, 17 April, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Palm Sunday. But as there are no free-growing palms in our part of the world, it is budding willow twigs that are the symbol of this day in Bulgaria. In folklore tradition, Palm Sunday goes by the name of Tsvtetnitsa (derived from tsvete, flower) or Vrubnitsa (from vurba, willow), and is celebrated as a symbol of spring as it comes into bloom. Here are a few photographs – from Sofia, Botevgrad and Plovdiv.
Photos: Vladimir Vladimirov
In western Bulgaria, about a hundred kilometres south-west of Sofia, lies the town of Zemen and its environs on the banks of the Struma River. Although not one of the country's best-known tourist destinations, interest in the region has grown..
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