The feast of
St. Trifon Zarezan is a holiday celebrating the patron saint of vine growing and wine production, it is celebrated in Bulgaria on the 14th of February. The more westernized holiday of St. Valentine's Day is celebrated in Bulgaria as well, and has been gaining popularity in recent years (similar to the way popularity has grown for the commercialized "Christmas" ie the one with Santa, elves, reindeer etc). Traditionally the professional holiday dedicated vine growers is more popular, especially in smaller rural villages, like mine. It symbolizes the turn from winter to spring and the need to start the farming process, in this case pruning.
People meet in the vineyards and cut the first vines, form them into wreathes and wear them. Читалищета (community centers) have gatherings afterwards. Here in Avren there was a holiday lunch held with one
kebapche,
kufteta, and bread roll for each person, along with cups of locally produced red and white wines, free for each person. There was a traditional Bulgarian bag pipe player, folk music and dancing. The mayor, and his staff were present, and the mayor gave a speech.
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| Man Dancing with a Vine Wreath |
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| Traditional Dress and Food Counter |
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| Bulgarian Bag Pipe |
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| Bulgarian Bag Pipe and Dancers |
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| Mayor's Speech |
Sounds fun
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