Cheesefare Sunday is one of the most colourful feasts in Bulgaria. It always falls on the Sunday before the start of Lent.

The ritual also goes by the name of “Proshka” (forgiveness) because in popular tradition, the dinner on this day is preceded by the ritual of asking and giving of forgiveness. The young would ask the older people in the family for forgiveness, the newly marrieds would visit their godparents, the journeymen – their masters. The conventional formula was “Forgive me! You are forgiven!” though it varies from region to region. The idea is to attain physical and spiritual cleansing by fasting after being forgiven by one’s near and dear ones.

Find out more about the ritual and the beliefs connected with “Proshka” in “People make errors, people forgive” HERE

Compiled by Albena Bezovska