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

Traditional male dance in the icy waters of Tundzha River to take place on Epiphany

Traditional male dance in Kalofer on Epiphany (archive)
Photo: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

This year, as always, hundreds of brave men from the town of Kalofer and the whole country will embark on January 6 - Epiphany - in a men's dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha River. It is believed that anyone who enters the cold water of Epiphany will be healthy throughout the year. 

The ritual men's dance will begin at 4:30 a.m. with a solemn Divine Liturgy in the local church St. Archangel Michael. After that, everyone will head to the river in a procession, reports BNR correspondent Daniela Dobreva. 


The throwing of the cross into the water is scheduled for 8 a.m. According to local custom, the savior of the cross gives it to the youngest child participating in the ritual. After that, the men will dance a traditional round dance in the cold waters of the river.



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

The National Guards to receive additional remuneration

Servicemen in the National Guard Unit will receive additional monthly remuneration in the amount of 102 euros when preparing for holding official ceremonies and military rituals, it has become clear from the State Gazette. For..

published on 1/7/25 11:15 AM

New baggage handling system to be installed at Sofia Airport

New equipment will ensure even faster, safer and more efficient baggage handling at Sofia Airport, the airport has reported. The system has already been delivered and preparations for its installation are underway. The system..

published on 1/7/25 10:34 AM

Bulgaria meets the criteria for Eurozone membership

At the end of 2024, Bulgaria's macroeconomic indicators fully met the Maastricht criteria for Eurozone membership, BGNES informs. According to Eurostat data, inflation from June to November was below 3%, which is a..

published on 1/7/25 8:45 AM