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

On Bango Vasil the Bulgarian Roma celebrate the new year

On January 13th, the Bulgarian Roma celebrate their new year. The day, known as Vasilyovden or Bango Vasil (literally "The Limping Vasil"), is celebrated by all Roma groups in Bulgaria and is associated with many Gypsy legends. Bango Vasil is one of the most celebrated holidays for the Roma community and lasts three days. The young respect the old and ask for forgiveness. Vasilitsa is an eminently family holiday and until dinner and midnight the doors of the house are kept firmly closed - no one from the family goes outside, even in the yard and no outside person is allowed to enter. It is believed that dreams that night show what will happen in the coming year. The table should not be cleared until the morning - it is believed that this will bring good luck to the home.




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

Bulgaria and North Macedonia confirm commitment to finalize Corridor 8

At a meeting in Brussels between officials from the transport ministries of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the two countries confirmed their commitment to finalizing the missing railway sections of Corridor 8, the Ministry of Transport has announced...

published on 7/18/25 4:54 PM
Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev  congratulates Velislava Delcheva (R) on her election as Ombudsman

Velislava Delcheva is the new Ombudsman

The National Assembly has elected Velislava Delcheva as Ombudsman. Delcheva, whose nomination was put forward by GERB/SDS, was elected out of 6 nominations with 123 votes “in favour”, 92 “against”, 5 MPs abstained. Delcheva was sworn in at the..

published on 7/18/25 4:41 PM
President Rumen Radev

President Rumen Radev: In Bulgaria we have façade democracy

Talking to reporters, President Rumen Radev commented on the tensions in society in recent months, and the protests against the euro and the state of the justice system in the country. "Alpha Research": Ruling Coalition Losing Ground..

published on 7/18/25 2:47 PM