Text size

Roma begin three days of New Year celebrations

published on 1/13/24 6:35 AM

Photo: BGNES

The Roma New Year celebrations begin tonight and will last for three days. For the Roma people, Vasilitsa, or better known as Bango Vasil (literally "limping Vasil"), is perhaps the most revered family holiday.

Families gather for dinner, the houses are locked and no one is allowed to go outside. On the table are roast chicken, cake, boule bread with a penny hidden in it (to bring wealth to whoever gets the piece with the coin) and sarmi (dolmas) with lucky charms of dogwood buds. At midnight, when the New Year begins, the doors of the house are opened to guests. But first the children have to greet the adults and wish them good health and happiness.

According to legend, Bango Vasil is Saint Basil the Great - he came to the rescue and rebuilt a bridge destroyed by the devil so that the Roma could cross it. He became their saint and patron saint.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News Bango Vasil celebrations Roma New Year

More from category

Kaloyan Kolev represents Bulgaria at the World Paella Day Cup in Valencia

On September 20, Valencia (Spain) will host one of the most significant culinary events in the world – the World Paella Day Cup. Bulgaria will have a representative in the competition for the second consecutive year. Kaloyan Kolev will demonstrate..

published on 9/19/25 9:38 AM

Rakla Fest in Pernik offers open-air art

From September 19 to 21, the Central Park in Pernik will host the first edition of Rakla Fest – a festival that will bring together young and old in the name of laughter, art and music. This festival of theatrical, circus, musical and street art..

published on 9/19/25 6:00 AM

Morning sunshine, highs of 23 to 28 Celsius expected on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 14°C, in Sofia - 7°C. During the day it will be sunny. A light to moderate wind will blow from the north-northwest. Daytime highs will be from 23 to 28°C, in the capital Sofia -..

published on 9/18/25 7:25 PM