Traditional Calendar
MAY
The day of Saint George the Victorious or St George's Day, is always celebrated on May 6th and along with Easter it is considered to be the most significant spring feast. It is celebrated in three different ways: Shepherd’s day, the day of bravery and the solders' heroism (i.e. the Day of the Bulgarian Army) and the day of Wisdom and Revival.
Before sunrise on St George’s Day doors should be decorated with crane's bill, a blooming branch from a fruit-tree and lilac for health. That greenery hung’s on doors until it withers. A lamb is slaughtered in honour of the saint. The feast ends with the evening Easter round dance. Today St.George's day is also considered as an official day of the Bulgarian army. In the capital city big military parade is held.
Compared to winter and spring customs and rituals, those in the summer are fewer, as people are busy working in the fields. In the different regions of Bulgaria there are different rituals that aim to protect from hailstorm and drought.
The day of Saint George the Victorious or St George's Day, is always celebrated on May 6th and along with Easter it is considered to be the most significant spring feast. It is celebrated in three different ways: Shepherd’s day, the day of bravery and the solders' heroism (i.e. the Day of the Bulgarian Army) and the day of Wisdom and Revival.
Before sunrise on St George’s Day doors should be decorated with crane's bill, a blooming branch from a fruit-tree and lilac for health. That greenery hung’s on doors until it withers. A lamb is slaughtered in honour of the saint. The feast ends with the evening Easter round dance. Today St.George's day is also considered as an official day of the Bulgarian army. In the capital city big military parade is held.
Compared to winter and spring customs and rituals, those in the summer are fewer, as people are busy working in the fields. In the different regions of Bulgaria there are different rituals that aim to protect from hailstorm and drought.
