Articles by Initial Letters

Report on the Bulgarian Surva Festival held January 24-26, 2025 in Pernik, Bulgaria. Every year this festival brings together traditional Bulgarian maskarade groups that practice an ancient tradition which evolved to chase away the winter and evil spirits and welcome spring. This festival as such was held the first time in 1966. It became an international event in 1985. Step by step the festival became more established until 2016 when it was added to UNESCO’s list of world heritage traditions. This year there were more than 12 thousand participants and 250 musicians. Traditionally it was only unmarried men that dressed in masks, wore large bells on their waists and paraded with rhythmic steps through town with a band. The basic band of Roma musicians included 1 to 3 drums, 2 zurnas, saxophone or clarinet. Includes background information on the tradition and more on the festival. By Trifusz Péter – with photos.