Bulgaria Inside

Easter is the day on which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Bulgaria, preparations for the holiday last an entire week.

Numerous traditions were created as part of the celebrations. Bulgarians color eggs on Thursday or Saturday before Easter. The number of eggs depends on the number of family members.

Eggs symbolize the new beginning and the natural renovation. They are also symbols of rebirth and new life.

In the past, Bulgarians used natural dyes to color eggs. Onions, nettle, apples and walnuts were used as natural sources of coloring.E

The oldest woman in the family dyes the first egg, which must be red. The egg is then used by the woman who makes cross signs with it on the forehead of each child. The egg is then placed next to the icon and is preserved.

Bulgarian women depended on their imagination and craftsmanship to create beautiful eggs. Wax patterns were made and women sometimes used leaves having interesting shapes to create prints.

On Easter morning, the entire family gathers together to have a breakfast. Easter bread and the colored eggs must be present at the table. The entire family takes part in a ritual. Each one selects an egg with which to try breaking the eggs of others. The person whose egg remains intact at the end of the ritual is to be healthiest during the coming year.

Each visitor of the house on Easter is presented with an egg and children usually exchange such. People visit relatives and their closest friends.