On December 22, 2023, with the Winter Solstice, winter officially begins. The next days are among the most important Bulgarian traditional holidays, starting with Christmas Eve on December 24, Christmas on December 25, St. Stephen’s Day on December 27, and Surva on January 1.

All these traditions are passed down from generation to generation, and our task is to continue telling and sharing them with those who come after us.

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.