Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Day of Granny Marta, March 1 marking the end of winter and the coming of spring

Every year on March 1, people in Bulgaria put on red and white martenitsas – a symbol of health, happiness, marking the end of winter and the coming of spring.

Called Granny Marta, March 1 is the day on which we say goodbye to winter and wish one another health and prosperity. According to an ancient legend, the tradition of donning martenitsas goes back to ancient times when Thracians inhabited our lands; to them they were a symbol of the eternity of life and the immortality of the human spirit. According to a more recent legend, martenitsas are connected with the settlement of Bulgarians on the Balkan Peninsula during the times of Khan Asparuh. The tradition of pinning martenitsas onto one’s clothes is also observed in Romania, Moldova, Albania, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Blagoevgrad to host the 32nd edition of the International Mathematics Competition for University Students

From July 28 to August 3, the town of Blagoevgrad (Southwestern Bulgaria) will host the 32nd edition of the prestigious International Mathematics Competition for University Students. Over 550 participants from 143 universities in 52 countries,..

published on 7/27/25 5:40 AM

85 folk ensembles to participate in the "Sparks from the Past" festival in Apriltsi

A total of 85 folk ensembles from across the country will participate in the "Sparks from the Past" festival, which will take place in the mountain town of Apriltsi on July 26 and 27. The open-air stage for the performances will be set up at..

published on 7/26/25 5:45 AM

Red heat alert issued for 12 Bulgarian districts, orange code alert in effect for the rest of the country

On Saturday, it will be sunny and even hotter. In the afternoon, clouds will form over the mountainous regions of Western Bulgaria, and by the evening, also in the northwestern areas. Isolated thunderstorms and rain showers are expected in some..

published on 7/25/25 6:25 PM