Surva is the biggest International Festival of Masquerade Games on the Balkans. It takes place on the last weekend of January in Pernik, Bulgaria annually. Save the date 26-28 January 2024 and indulge yourself in Bulgarian folklore and traditions. Surva promotes ancient Bulgarian customs that are still alive today. They are an important part of the Bulgarian folklore tradition.
Baba Marta (Grandma Marta) is a tradition celebrated in Bulgaria and in some of the neighboring countries. Each year on 1 March we give each other (to your family, friends, colleagues, home, pet etc) a martenitsa, a red and white wrist band or small doll to put on your chest. This way we wish each other good health, joy and long life. The most famous martenitsa is a couple of a boy and a girl called Pizho and Penda. The male Pizho, is made of white wool, while the female Penda is mostly red. According to the tradition you receive martenitsa always as a gift, you don’t buy one for yourself.
