Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Residents of Karaisen celebrate Ivanovden with authentic ritual for chasing away evil

published on 1/7/24 11:45 AM

Photo: Zdravka Maslyankova, BNR correspondent

With an authentic ritual that has no analogue in Bulgaria, the residents of the village of Karaisen, Northern Bulgaria, celebrate St. John's Day (Ivanovden in Bulgarian). The holiday is called "Ivanovi Vlachugi" (dragging, pulling on Saint John's Day) and has been passed down since time immemorial, and today it is kept by the local village residents, reports BNR correspondent in Veliko Tarnovo Zdravka Maslyankova.

The name of the ritual comes from the pulling to the water fountain of persons with the name Ivan, maidens and bachelors, as well as all young people who have become families in the previous year. In Karaisen, people believe that "Ivanovi vlachugi" cleanse bad energy and drive away evil, bring health and prosperity to the entire village.

According to museologist Diana Miteva, this tradition comes from the conversion of the Bulgarians to Christianity, which began in 864, because when people were baptized, they were dragged, as it was a forced process.

The ritual is marked every year. In the past, it was very popular in the entire Veliko Tarnovo region.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria Life Christianity Ivanovden Ivanovi vlachugi Saint John's Day Veliko Tarnovo

Gallery

More from category

Радмила Шекеринска

Balkan developments

Radmila Sekerinska from North Macedonia appointed NATO Deputy Secretary General NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has appointed Radmila Sekerinska from North Macedonia as the next NATO Deputy Secretary General. “I am happy to announce..

updated on 11/22/24 11:58 AM

Photo: Facebook/Bulgarian Cultural and Social Association Rodina

Bulgarians in Sydney to gather at Christmas picnic

The traditional Bulgarian Christmas picnic, organized by the Bulgarian Cultural and Social Association "Rodina - Sydney" and the Bulgarian School "Dr. Petar Beron", will take place on December 8 , 2024 in St. Leonards Park in Sydney. "We have..

published on 11/21/24 2:17 PM

Associate Professor Spas Tashev

There is a need for administrative autonomy of the regions in Albania inhabited by Bulgarians

The Bulgarian national minority in Albania is one of the largest in the country, according to data from the latest official population census. A total of 7,057 individuals identified as Bulgarians. For comparison, 23,000 people identified as Greeks,..

published on 11/18/24 2:20 PM

1
2
3
4
5
6
..
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Mostly Cloudy
Min: -4 | Max: 16

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

Bulgarians in Sydney to gather at Christmas picnic

The traditional Bulgarian Christmas picnic, organized by the Bulgarian Cultural and Social Association "Rodina - Sydney" and the Bulgarian School..

published on 11/21/24 2:17 PM

Balkan developments

Radmila Sekerinska from North Macedonia appointed NATO Deputy Secretary General NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has appointed Radmila Sekerinska..

updated on 11/22/24 11:58 AM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking