Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

“Toys of fire” and European trends in the history of the Christmas tree in Bulgaria

Photo: BGNES

Bulgarians still hang at least one new toy from their Christmas trees every year in the belief that it will bring them luck and health.

But to begin with, Bulgarians decorated the trees with apples, walnuts, popcorn and home-made paper garlands in different colours. Later, imported sets of glass toys made their way into the country. The Christmas tree became indispensable in Bulgaria after the liberation of the country in 1878, when a process of Europeanization of Christmas and New Year rituals began in the country.

European-style balls were being organized, Christmas cards sent out, and of course, there were presents for the children. Another element of the Christmas and New Year magic were the “toys of fire” in the sky, as the new-sprung fireworks were then called.

Find out how and when the first Christmas tree appeared in this country HERE.

Editor: Dessislava Semkovska


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

Albena Danailova - Second concertmaster for the Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert

Bulgarian violinist Albena Danailova is the first assistant to concertmaster Rainer Honeck in the New Year's concert of the Vienna Philharmonic on January 1, 2024. Conductor will be Christian Thielemann . Albena..

published on 12/29/23 3:25 PM

Christmas Eve in traditional Bulgarian culture

The night before Christ's Nativity in Bulgarian folklore culture is known by several names. Of course, most often we call it Christmas Eve, and the main meaning of the traditions and rituals of the holiday is well-known - it is a holiday of humility,..

published on 12/24/23 8:30 AM

The December series of holidays starts with the days of Saints Barbara, Sava and Nicholas

A series of holidays starts in December, taking us closer to the shared moments of comfort and love on Christmas Eve. "Varvara boils it, Sava roasts it, Nikola welcomes guests." this is how Bulgarian people describe the..

published on 12/4/23 3:17 PM