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

Ribnovo chooses the most beautiful "gelina" bride

Photo: blagoevgrad.egov.bg

On the eve of the New Year, the most beautiful "gelina" bride of the last 4 years is chosen in the Bulgarian-Mohammedan village of Ribnovo, in south-west Bulgaria. 

"Gelina" is the name given to brides in the region. It is a unique tradition, where the brides are specially dressed and their faces are painted and decorated for the wedding. 
The "Mrs Gelina 2024" contest is being held for the first time and the winners will be announced tonight, reports BNT. 

"Our parents always told us, 'When you grow up, you will be a Gelina', and that was always our dream. We don't dream of wedding dresses, we dream of being gelinas," said Kadrie Kiselova of the Creative Community Foundation, the organiser of the competition. 

It is the wish of the people of Ribnovo that this wedding custom, which is already part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, will become world famous, that more people will know about it.



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

Bulgaria marks Earth Hour and World Water Day

"It all started on a March evening in 2007 when 2 million people and 2,000 companies in Sydney (Australia) turned off their lights for one hour – from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM – to show that they care about nature and the climate. Back then, no one could..

published on 3/22/25 6:05 AM

Balkan developments

Concert in North Macedonia turns into tragedy  A nightclub fire tragedy left North Macedonia in grief. A concert by the popular hip-hop group DNA, which was supposed to become a celebration in the small town of Kočani, turned into a true..

published on 3/21/25 11:20 AM
The first Bulgarian school in Edinburg

First Bulgarian school in Edinburgh brings together friends of Bulgaria on its tenth anniversary

Scotland is known as "The Land of the Brave" and recognized as the "Homeland of the Bagpipe". An instrument that carries the soul of Bulgarian folklore in its sound. According to unofficial data, the "brave" Bulgarians who are building a life in this..

published on 3/21/25 10:46 AM