In Bulgaria the first of March is revered
as a special day and occasion. It is a day that symbolizes the start of spring.
The world that has been covered in snow for four odd months begins anew. This
day is referred to as Baba Marta.
Baba Marta literally translates into Grandmother March. Now, Baba Marta could
be argued to be the Bulgarian personification of Mother Nature, but only for
this single day. The day itself becomes a celebration, especially in the
village where people depend on self-sufficient life and crops. An early spring
would mean earlier planting and a more bountiful summer. The day is marked by
buying little intertwined red and white string, often decorated with evil eyes
and other bits and bobs. The tradition goes that you tie this string around yourself
and wear it until you see a stork.
The Dying Generation is a biographical ethnographic depiction of the lives of the people born in the early to mid-1900's. I have been granted a unique insight into the lives of the "previous" generation in my life and journeys. The men and women that I will be highlighting have lived through the economic transition of the United Arab Emirates and the fall rise and fall of the communist state in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Independence day: Part 2 The Church
Part 2
After lunch, which
included a shot of Rakia obviously. We high tailed it back to the center of
town where Kmiet awaited us. On our way there, Dan made a very true comment
about Bulgarian and Polish drinking culture. "There are only two occasions
on which you can drink," Dan remarked "When it's your birthday and
when it's not." Some people obviously take that statement too much to
heart, but wine and Rakia flow like water in Tsarevets, especially during
dinners and proper occasions. We headed into Kmiet's office which was up a
flight of stairs in the central building.
Bulgarian Independence day: Part 1 - Celebrations
Part 1
March 3rd
was an important day in the year 1878. It was the day a peace treaty was signed
between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. It allowed the reestablishment of the
country of Bulgaria, which had been occupied for nearly 500 years by the
Ottomans. To this day many Bulgarians have an almost genetic distrust of Turks,
this is especially true for the dying generation who lived under the communist
government. Skipping ahead 137 years we arrive to today, March 3rd
2015. On this day I was finally able to take part in the celebrations of
Bulgarian independence from Ottoman hold.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)