This coming Sunday, 17 April, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Palm Sunday. But as there are no free-growing palms in our part of the world, it is budding willow twigs that are the symbol of this day in Bulgaria. In folklore tradition, Palm Sunday goes by the name of Tsvtetnitsa (derived from tsvete, flower) or Vrubnitsa (from vurba, willow), and is celebrated as a symbol of spring as it comes into bloom. Here are a few photographs – from Sofia, Botevgrad and Plovdiv.
Photos: Vladimir Vladimirov
Above the town of Peshtera in southern Bulgaria is the hill of Sveta Petka. It was once a fortress and its name - Peristera - means "pigeon" in Greek. It is believed that the name comes from one of the huge rocks in the citadel of the fortress, which..
The Bachkovo Monastery is one of the most significant spiritual centers of Bulgaria. Founded in 1083 by Gregory Bakuriani, a Byzantine general of Georgian origin, this monastery preserves the Bulgarian Orthodox traditions combined..
The dry and hot weather does not favor farmers, but it helps salt farmers - the people who mine salt near the Black Sea coast. Salt production is one of the oldest activities in Pomorie. The Pomorie salt pans has been existing since the 5th century BC...
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