Current News

Current News

MESNI ZAGOVEZNI (Meat Fasting Day)

MESNI ZAGOVEZNI (Meat Fasting Day)

2/19/2023 11:00:00 AM
Mesni Zagovezni (Meat Fasting Day) - celebrated 8 Sundays before Easter. After the All Souls' Day (Goliama Zadoushnitsa) on Saturday, the following day, Sunday, people celebrate the Orthodox Church feast of Mesni Zagovezni - the last day people are allowed to eat meat before Easter, so the festive table contains predominantly meat dishes.































































In the week following the Mesni Zagovezni Day, i.e. the week before the SIRNI ZAGOVEZNI (Shrove Sunday/ Cheese Fasting) people are allowed to eat dairy products: cheese, butter and eggs. This is the last week in which the young people can go to the village square, sing and dance the horo.































































Then, the period of the Easter Lent comes connected to food and spiritual fasting. For centuries in a row Bulgarianshave established the required eating schedule throughout the year. The strict observation of the Fast is supported by a cycle of rituals and rules, fixing "starting fast" and "breaking fast". "Starting fast" is a whole series of practices introducing man into a system of restrictions, and "breaking fast" is a return to the world of chaos and various temptations.































































Fasting in the folk mythology has its origin in the belief in the rhythmic change of chaos and order. From an aesthetic and biological point of view, fasting is connected to the rituals of seasonal transition and bringing biological processes of man in harmony with those of nature. Temporary abstinence from certain kinds of food or activities during fixed periods of time is a way of purification and attainment of spiritual and physical perfection.































































The Great Lent (Easter fast) is the longest one. It lasts seven weeks and ends on Easter. The second longest fast is the Christmas fast – 40 days. There is two-week fasting before the feast days of some saints - e.g. Virgin Mary, St Peter, etc.































BLAGOVESHTENIE (ANNUNCIATION DAY)
BLAGOVESHTENIE (ANNUNCIATION DAY)
3/25/2023 9:00:00 AM
Name day of everyone named Blagovest/à, Blagoy, Blaga, Vangel, Evangelina, Bonka.Ritual table: fish (baked or boiled), flat cake, onion pastry.
March 22nd – World Day of Water
March 22nd – World Day of Water
3/22/2023 11:00:00 AM
The World Day of Water has been appointed by a decision of the UN Ecology and Development Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 1992.
March 20 – International Francophony Day
The first "sommet de la Francophonie" took place in Paris in 1986. About 44 countries took part in it.
The German genius Rudolph Diesel was born on that day back in 1858
Although Diesel was born in Paris, his parents were German. His father was a leather craftsman, and his mother a governess and language tutor. Rudolf was a good student in primary s...
Today is the Holocaust Day and the Victims of Crimes against Humanity Day
Bulgaria commemorates today “The Holocaust Day and the Victims of Crimes against Humanity Day”, appointed by a decree of the BG Ministerial Council on Feb.13th, 2003, which was celebrated for the first time ever that same year.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day
3/8/2023 9:00:00 AM
Bulgaria marks The International Women’s Day – March 8
TODOROVDEN
TODOROVDEN
3/4/2023 9:00:00 AM
Name day of everyone named Todor, Todorka, Teodor/a, Theo, Dora.
March 3rd - the National Day of Bulgaria
What happened on that day and how long has it been celebrated? The San Stefano Peace Treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed on February 19th (March 3rd, ...
Today is the BABA MARTA DAY
Today is the BABA MARTA DAY
3/1/2023 8:00:00 AM
If you by any chance visit Bulgaria on the first day of March you are certain to notice almost every person decorated with small tokens made from red and white woollen threads.
SIRNI ZAGOVEZNI (Shrove Sunday/ Cheese Fasting)
Ritual table: cheese pastry, rite bread, cheese pumpkin, eggs, white halvah with nuts, fish.