All Bulgaria Virtual Guide - Bulgarian Christmas Eve and Christmas

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church turned to the reformed Julian calendar in 1968. Since then, Bulgaria has celebrated Christmas for three days starting on December 25, same as most of the Christian world.

It is believed that as Christmas Eve goes, so goes the life during the following year. Therefore the whole family becomes involved in performing the rituals.

So, it is also Christmas Eve in Bulgaria; by tradition, it may be called "Sukha koleda" (Dry Christmas), "Malka koleda" (Little Christmas) or "Kadena vecher" (Incensed Night). For Orthodox Christians, Christmas comes after 40 days and nights of fasting. The forty-day Advent, started on November 15, finishes on this day. Folk beliefs hold it that the Mother of Jesus began her labours on St. Ignatius’ Day and gave birth to God’s son on Christmas Eve, but that she told of it only on the next day. According to tradition, when bearing her first child, a young mother did not let others know of the birth on the same day; instead people were told about it only on the following day, when guests were invited into the home.

Throughout the fasting period, Orthodox Bulgarians will avoid alcohol and animal products. Even the festive dinner on the eve of Christmas is commerative and includes no meat, cheese, milk, eggs or animal oils.

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church recommends 13 different foods on the Christmas-eve meal (salt, pepper and sugar are seen as separate foods). The foods are vegetable and odd in number for luck. Beans are a traditional Christmas Eve dish in Bulgaria, as families gather that evening to a meatless holiday meal. There are always walnuts on the table. Traditionally, wheat is boiled and dishes such as boiled haricot, leaves stuffed with rice or grouts, and stewed dried fruit are cooked. Wheat grains and the Ignazhden (Saint Ignatius’ Day) kolaks (ring-shaped cake) are also put on the table. After the festive mass starting at 12:00 am on December 25, all should drink a sip of wine so that the divine blessing should come upon them as fasting ends. A place at the table is left vacant for the deceased (relatives or other dear people). The table is not cleared for the night because people believe that the deceased will come to dinner.

According to Bulgarian tradition, the Christmas celebrations start on December 24th, called “Badni Vecher” (meaning Christmas Eve, or Small Christmas).

At the Christmas Eve table, fortunes are told. To predict what the year is going to be, everyone cracks a walnut. If it is good and delicious, the year is going to be lucky, if the walnut is empty, you can expect a bad year. Predictions are also made for the weather in each month of the new year, the expected crops, each family member's health, and for the coming marriages of the girls. As you can understand, the Christmas Eve requires much time and the efforts of each family member. The women-folk arise very early in the morning and are busily preparing the festive meals during the whole day. They spared no pain to be ready with everything and observe the tradition when Christmas Eve came. It is believed that the way Christmas Eve goes is the way life during the following year will go. With no work to be done in the fields, everyone's efforts become home-centered. Certainly, a festival as important as Christmas Eve deserves to be celebrated in the proper manner.

A typical Bulgarian Christmas Eve Table-click for larger image with descriptions

Bulgaria marks Father's Day on December 26. The holiday is celebrated on different dates throughout the world, but Bulgaria has chosen a date that coincides with the day of Orthodox Saint Joseph. December 26 has been declared an official holiday by the 36th National Assembly on December 10 1991. It is marked as the Day of the Father since 1997. December 27, the third day of Christmas, is Stefanovden (St. Stefan's Day). The ones who have this nameday are given gifts, people sing songs and play the horo dance. They dance for the last time in the square the “Christmas buenek”.

Legends connected with Christmas say that if you borrow salt and don't return it, you will have trouble with your eyes. If your ear aches on Christmas this is an indication that an angel has passed by you. You make the sign of the cross three times and whatever you think of will come true.

Koleduvane

At midnight on Christmas, the koledari (carollers) start their rounds.

Only boys participate as major figures in the ritual known as Koleduvane. Its purpose is to wish health, good luck and fertility to the heads of households, to their houses, livestock, land, etc. The koledari, as those participating in the ritual are called, are divided into two age groups. Each group may consist of 10 or more koledari who divide the homes of their village or neighborhood among themselves, to be sure each will be blessed. The preparations include the learning of songs and dances, and the decoration of costumes, which include the kalpaci (fur hats) decorated with bouquets of boxwood and wild geranium, carved wooden staffs, yamurluci (hooded cloaks) which are made to size, sandals, and new fancy leggings. The magnificent embroidery on the white shirts is especially beautiful.

The koledari songs are characteristically lively, happy and festive, and are performed antiphonally. The group divides into two subgroups, then one groups begins, and the second group repeats what the first group has just sung. The songs can be divided into several themes: those which are sung on the road from one house to another, those which are sung while entering or leaving a house, those devoted to the head of the house, those for the women, those for small children, those for unmarried girls, those for soldiers, those for the livestock, those for the fertility of the fields, and so on. At the end of the performance, the head of the household gives stedro (from his heart) - so called Koledni gevreci (round buns), banitsa (a multi-layered pastry filled with feta-like cheese (sirine), fruits, walnuts, popcorn and other traditional delicacies..

Today, Christmas is still a very special family holiday in modern Bulgaria. In the cities, the koledari tradition is not followed as strictly as in the villages. However, city dwellers should not be surprised if kids (survakarcheta) knock on the door after midnight on Christmas to sing a song, wishing happiness, love, health and wealth during the coming year.

December 26 in Bulgaria is celebrated as the second day of Christmas. It is officially a non-working day. It is a day to pay tribute to Jesus' mother Virgin Mary. Bulgarians believe that Virgin Mary will bring their prayers to Jesus, as she is His closest person.

And we should mention in closing ... the Bulgarian greeting is "Vesela Koleda"; Merry Christmas.

Richard Zastrow

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