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

Borislav Sarafov

Acting Prosecutor General issues reminder on MPs' immunity requests

Acting Prosecutor-General Borislav Sarafov has sent a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova reminding her that the Prosecutor's Office has not yet received any information on the requests to lift the immunity of three MPs, the..

published on 1/9/25 3:25 PM

BOC is the only representative of Eastern Orthodoxy in Bulgaria, MPs agree

The three draft amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations received a large majority in the first reading in the National Assembly. The new texts were prompted by a decision by the Supreme Court of Cassation to register a religious organisation..

published on 1/9/25 1:54 PM

Prime Minister calls on parliament to legally regulate the status of the name of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The government's position is constant. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) is one and indivisible, its unity is of particular importance for society. Taking into account the principles of the rule of law and the separation of powers,..

published on 1/9/25 11:27 AM