Bulgaria Inside

Christmas is one of the most honored Christian celebrations in Bulgaria. Local traditions connected to the occasion are numerous and intriguing and most combine Orthodox and pagan rituals.

The entire family has a dinner on Christmas Eve. This night ends the fast preceding Christmas. The dinner table should include an odd number of lenten dishes among which bread, wheat, dried fruits, stuffed vine and cabbage leaves. The table should also have dishes made of swelling products like wheat, beans and rice. This symbolizes the victory of day over night and the increasing number of daylight hours.

After midnight, Bulgaria's koledari start their rituals. Only young, single or recently married men can become koledari. On December 22, the group begins meeting and working on Christmas songs. On Christmas Eve, they walk in the village, visiting each house. The trip starts from east. By dawn, the group should have visited all houses. Koledari wear festive clothes, sometimes they dress like old people or animals.

All families expect the visit of the group. When they arrive, the house owner invites them in and gives the young men wine, money and food. In return, they sing and wish the family prosperity. The youngest woman of the household gives the koledari bread.

The ritual can take place only during Christmas night. People believed that the songs chased evil spirits away.

Pork is usually served on the day of Christmas. The table remains intact all day long.

Many Bulgarian villages still follow these rituals. They vary from region to region but the main aim is the same. On the night of Christmas, Bulgarians welcome the coming sun and the end of the night, as well as the birth of Christ.