After two years of pandemic restrictions and rules, protests, horrifying news from Russia’s war in Ukraine, we seem to be gaining a growing understanding of the need to remain connected, wherever we may be on the planet, whatever our status in society, whether we are religious or atheists. This has given an extra edge to our feast days these past few years, and that is how we are marking Annunciation Day now – the day when Archangel Gabriel brought the glad tidings to Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ.

Annunciation is one of the most prominent Christian feast days among all major Christian denominations. It is also a day dedicated to mothers and motherhood, a good day to open our hearts and show our compassion for the children without parents, for all people who are poor and who are suffering, for all those forced to leave their country of their birth. Hymns honouring the Holy Mother of God are sung in Christian Orthodox churches across Bulgaria today and prayers are said for salvation, for health and prosperity, for peace and love among people.

In the Bulgarian folklore calendar this day is called Blagovets and it is dedicated to spring, to its power to cleanse and revive, to usher in a new beginning. It is said that on Blagovets the cuckoo flies in from the sea to announce that winter is gone and summer is on its way, that no one should go hungry, that everyone should have money in their pockets because it matters “how the cuckoo will call”.

• On Blagovets - when the cuckoo calls clap your hands

According to popular belief, on Blagovets the bear wakes up from his winter slumber, and for the first time the snakes crawl out. There are many towns and villages even today where the old rituals are reenacted – like the custom of walking around the property making as loud a noise as possible. The participants are usually women and children carrying all kinds of utensils made of metal, rattling and clanging them all the while and shouting: Go away lizards and snakes, Blagovets is coming! On the early morning of Blagovets, it is customary to throw away the rubbish from the spring clean. A bonfire is lit and people leap over it to “smoke” their bare feet – to ward off snake bites in summer. Treasure hunters also play a part on Blagovets - it is said that on this day buried treasure is illuminated by a blue flame. Again on Blagovets, beekeepers let their bees out, so the honey shall be sweet. The ritual meal today must include fish, ritual bread and honey.

Blago, Blaga, Blagovets, Blagovesta, Blagoy etc., all celebrate their name day today.