Sofia/Lovech, North Central Bulgaria, December 24 (Daniela Balabanova, Desislava Toncheva of BTA) - With its myriad of customs observed by people, Christmas is the richest winter holiday in Bulgaria, Silvia Vuteva, ethnographer at the Lovech Regional History Museum, said in an interview for BTA. The Christmas festivities in this country usually last three days, between December 24 and 27. Celebrations begin on December 24, the last day of the Nativity Fast.

The holiday is strictly family-oriented. Preparations begin early in the morning on the 24th. Most of the customs and rites are focused on the table.

Early in the morning, the men go to the forest to collect timber. They are expected to bring back home a special log, called budnik. Its purpose is to keep the fire alive through the night, so as to "light the way of the Virgin Mary when she comes to dinner," Vuteva said. She believes that this custom, dating back to the 16th or 17th century, combines folk belief and Christian tradition.

On Christmas Eve Bulgarians eat only plant-based dishes (just like during the fast), customarily an odd number of 5, 7, 9 or 11. Traditional meals include beans, stuffed peppers with rice or beans, grape dolmas stuffed with rice, pumpkin dishes and traditional Christmas bread. The bread, called "pitka", usually contains a fortune coin, which reveals who will be the most fortunate member of the family. After midnight on Christmas Eve, people may break their fast and are allowed to eat meat and dairy again.

An important part of the tradition is that after dinner the dishes are not taken away, but are left on the table overnight. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary visits homes in the night and feasts on what is left. Others say that dead relatives or friends are the ones who visit. This tradition is similar to the western custom of leaving cookies and milk out for Santa.

After dinner on Christmas Eve, everyone eagerly waits for the koledari: groups of men who are bachelors, engaged or recently married, and who call at all houses in the settlement to sing special Christmas songs, wish the hosts health, happiness and a bountiful harvest, and are presented with specially baked Christmas crullers, money and various snacks.

"The blessings offered by the chief koledar are believed to be magical and likely to come true," the ethnographer said.

On Christmas Day Bulgarians typically visit their loved ones and go to church.

On December 25 the plant-based meals are taken off the table. The only exceptions are the onions, garlic and honey, which are meant to bring good health, a rich harvest and prosperity. Later in the day a pig, which the family has raised over the year, gets slaughtered and used to make several types of sausage. Sauerkraut and pickled vegetables, are also obligatory, Vuteva pointed out.

The Christmas holidays end with the Feast of St. Stephen, which is celebrated on December 27.

The Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen was the eldest of the seven deacons whom the holy apostles ordained and appointed, which is why he is called "archdeacon". He was the first Christian martyr, and he died for Christ.

Vuteva noted that today many aspects of the Christmas holiday have been modernized and many households introduce new elements to the celebrations.

"What really matters is that we get together, celebrate our good health and enjoy sharing the same table. We should be humbler, kinder, less demanding of each other and more demanding of ourselves," she says. DT/LN/NZ/BR