Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Traditional men’s horo in Kalofer

Photo: Kremena Daneva

Hundreds of men danced the horo in the cold waters of the river Tunja in Kalofer. Clad in folk costumes and with the national flag in hand, to the sound of drums and bagpipes, they sang a popular folk song.

After the solemn church service in the St. Archangel Michael church, Father Dimitriy threw the Epiphany cross into the river. It was retrieved by 6-year old Martin.

Thousands flocked to Kalofer for the ritual, many also entered the River Tunja, even though the rule is for the guests to wait for the local participants to enter the waters first.

The cross-throwing ritual is observed in many parts of the country. In Sofia the cross will be thrown into the pond in Druzhba residential area at 1 PM.



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

Sunshine with temporary cloudiness in the eastern regions expected on Saturday

On Saturday the lowest temperatures will be between 8 and 16°C; in some valleys – between 6° and 9°C, in Sofia – about 8°C. During the day it will be sunny, with temporary increases in cloudiness over Eastern Bulgaria. The wind will..

published on 9/19/25 7:15 PM

IMF recommends higher social security and property taxes in Bulgaria from 2026

The International Monetary Fund has recommended increasing social security and property taxes from 2026 . This was made clear during the hearing of representatives of the Fund's regular mission in the Budget Committee of the National Assembly. It also..

published on 9/19/25 6:15 PM

Vice President Iliana Iotova visits the Bulgarians in Moldova

Vice President Iliana Iotova is visiting Taraclia, Moldova, on September 19-20. Today, she is an official guest at a ceremony to award the winners of the essay contest organized by the Bulgarian National Radio for schoolchildren..

published on 9/19/25 4:30 PM