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

Traditional men’s horo in Kalofer

Photo: Kremena Daneva

Hundreds of men danced the horo in the cold waters of the river Tunja in Kalofer. Clad in folk costumes and with the national flag in hand, to the sound of drums and bagpipes, they sang a popular folk song.

After the solemn church service in the St. Archangel Michael church, Father Dimitriy threw the Epiphany cross into the river. It was retrieved by 6-year old Martin.

Thousands flocked to Kalofer for the ritual, many also entered the River Tunja, even though the rule is for the guests to wait for the local participants to enter the waters first.

The cross-throwing ritual is observed in many parts of the country. In Sofia the cross will be thrown into the pond in Druzhba residential area at 1 PM.



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

President Radev is taking on the role of opposition leader, says Finance Minister

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has long been involved in the political life of the country, and now he wants to take on the role of opposition leader. This was stated by Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova in Targovishte.  "After nearly four..

published on 4/25/25 5:52 PM

NSI: More than 1/5 of the population in Bulgaria lives in poverty

In 2024, the poverty line in the country was €375 per month on average per person in a household. A total of 1,401,300 people, or 21.7% of the population, were living below the poverty line , according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI)...

published on 4/25/25 4:46 PM
Krasimir Valchev, Minister of Education and Science.

Parents protest against plans to introduce compulsory religious education in public schools

A protest has been organised on social media demanding the resignation of Education Minister Krasimir Valchev and the cancellation of the Ministry of Education and Science's plan to introduce a compulsory subject called "Religion and Virtue" in schools,..

published on 4/25/25 4:18 PM