Bulgarian masquerade rituals go back thousands of years to the earliest pagan times. Masquerade games were practiced as the new year took over from the old and during nature’s spring awakening. The message they conveyed was of banishing the powers of evil with wishes for health and fertility during what are known as the “dirty days” of the year.
“What would we, in Pernik and the environs do without our Surva? Without that night of the year when, century after century, young men wearing masks, stiff with the cold but brimming with joy and energy sweep through the streets to the sound of the bells they carry? This year 55 towns and villages lit a Surva fire. The ritual is played out on the night of January 13. By an old tradition, families get together on Vassilyovden (Day of St. Basil, old style), the grandest feast-day in these parts. In the centre of every village a ritual fire is lit, masked men dance around it, heralding the victory of good over evil by making as much noise as they can. We had many guests, as well as representatives of UNESCO, professors from the Institute of Folklore, journalists. The houses were thrown open, the tables were laid with food, men clad in sheepskins and wearing terrifying costumes made the rounds of the houses to drive away evil and bless the households with wishes for health and fertility, to light the fire that has the power to cleanse.”
The 26th edition of the Surva – Pernik, 2017 International Folklore Festival of Masquerade Games will be held on January 27, 28 and 29. The town has been a member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities since 1995. Masquerade groups demonstrating winter as well as spring rituals, known as survakari and kukeri, will flock from all corners of Bulgaria to take part in the contest.
English version: Milena Daynova
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