"If there is an error, there is also forgiveness," says an old proverb that accompanies the life of Bulgarians to this day. It's there to remind us that the sincere regret usually receives equally sincere forgiveness, at least in most cases. The Bulgarian folk calendar has certain days in which the pardoning of all sins is required. The most important among them carries exactly that name - Forgiveness Sunday. This is how we call Sirnitza, or Sirni Zagovezni (Shrovetide) - the custom that takes place on the last Sunday before the commencement of the Great Lent. In most Bulgarian families the rituals associated with it are still observed. In this edition of Folkstudio, Albena Bezovska will tell us about the sequence of folk practices preceding this day, the feast table and the most important moment of the feast - asking for and giving forgiveness.

The whole week before Shrovetide is called the Sirna Nedelya (Cheesefare week), or Sirnitsa. Throughout this week only cheese, butter, eggs are consumed because all these products are excluded from the menu during Lent. And once everyone was observing the period of fasting. An exception was made for the youngest children, the sick, the elderly and people on the road.

During this week having fun was mandatory. The lads and lasses engaged in dances every day because since then until Easter they would be banned. At about the same time cradles were tied where necessarily the unmarried members of the community swayed- for health and luck in choosing a spouse. In the folk calendar this was the last moment for making a wedding. After Cheesefare Sunday, weddings were allowed in the autumn time - after the completion of the agricultural work.

On Cheesefare Sunday the most important thing is to receive forgiveness. That's why the whole day passes in visits. The young people go to visit their parents, their best men as well as all important people giving them assistance and support through life. They go to their homes to ask for and receive forgiveness. It is believed that one can successfully go through the period of fasting and cleanse their soul unless they receive forgiveness from all. The night before the family sits around the table also the ritual of pardoning of errors is performed. The younger kiss the hand of the older, saying, "I beg for forgiveness!" The answer is: "Let Lord forgive! You are forgiven!” After the spirit of reconciliation has come, a festive dinner follows.

There is bread on the table, and necessarily butter, eggs, cheese and pies prepared with these ingredients. Once the women used to set apart some of all prepared meals and distribute them to poor families so that they could have a meal according to custom. The dinner is followed by the cheerful ritual of "hamkane". A red woolen thread is tied over the table as an egg, a small chunk of cheese or white halva is attached to it. In some parts of Bulgaria people tie an egg, cheese, as well as charcoal. Then the thread swings and everyone at the table is trying to catch the things tied to it with their mouth. The use of arms is prohibited. This “hamkane” has a ritual character, according to some scholars. The belief is that the one who succeeds in capturing first the food or charcoal will have much success. After completing the ritual, the coal is hidden to be used as a cure during the year. The yoke gets separated from the egg and together with the cheese it is stored for the treatment of humans and animals. After an incantation for rich harvest of wheat, the thread is lit. If it burns quickly and completely - the incantation will come true.

In some folklore regions on the night of Sirnitsa, people performed the custom ὸratnik or oleliya. It is connected with the lighting of bonfires as the boys would throw flaming arrows at the court of their sweethearts. Each girl had to receive such a "fiery" declaration of love. It was allowed to throw arrows at the houses of other girls too - in recognition of the fact that they are beautiful and admired. The parents who had unmarried daughters used to prepare containers with water in advance to extinguish fires.

After forgiveness and joy on the night of Sirnitsa, people were preparing for humility and restraint required by the period before the biggest Christian holiday - Easter.

English Rossitsa Petcova