Podcast in English

The December series of holidays starts with the days of Saints Barbara, Sava and Nicholas

A series of holidays starts in December, taking us closer to the shared moments of comfort and love on Christmas Eve. "Varvara boils it, Sava roasts it, Nikola welcomes guests." this is how Bulgarian people describe the..

published on 12/4/23 3:17 PM

The Christmas fasting - 40 days of spiritual purification before the glorious Nativity

On November 15, the second longest fasting in the Bulgarian Orthodox tradition begins, which is preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. ‎ It is believed that, although it lasts 40 days, the Christ's Nativity fast is not as..

published on 11/15/23 9:44 AM
The solemn proclamation of Northern and Southern Bulgaria into an independent Kingdom, September 22, 1908.

The Birth of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom

After the Russo-Turkish war of 1878, with the Treaty of Berlin, the Bulgarian ethnic land was divided. Northern Dobrudja was handed over to Romania, and Nis and Pirot regions - to Serbia. The Principality of Bulgaria, a vassal of the Ottoman Empire,..

published on 9/22/23 9:10 AM

Kurban Bayrami begins with Arife day

The biggest holiday for Muslims, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, is Eid al-Adha. It begins in the evening hours of the day of Arife (June 27), when Muslims pay respect to their deceased relatives..

published on 6/27/23 1:54 PM

On the eve of Midsummer's Day “the sky opens”

Midsummer's Day or Enyovden in Bulgaria is always celebrated on June 24, when the church honors the birth of St. John the Baptist. Folklore traditions are associated with the day of the summer solstice, when the sun "twinkles" and "plays" at..

published on 6/23/23 6:43 PM
Nedyalka Keranova

Remembering folk singer Nedyalka Keranova

April 24 marked the 82 nd anniversary since the birth of Nedyalka Keranova- one of the most remarkable voices of Bulgarian folklore, who passed away in 1966 at the age of 55. Our listener and friend Noris Balabanyan who lives in the USA and whose..

published on 5/8/23 5:05 AM

Remembering Petar Stupel with the song Late Meetings

Today we mark the 100th birth anniversary of composer Petar Stupel . He was born on April 27, 1923 in Sofia, in the family of professional musicians. Petar Stupel studied at the State Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov", majoring in Piano under..

published on 4/27/23 6:05 AM

Palm Sunday and the beauty of spring

Palm Sunday, Tsvetnitsa in Bulgarian (the word comes from tsvete , flower) is a Christian holiday loved and looked forward to by many, commemorating the Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is a moveable feast, always falling on..

published on 4/9/23 5:55 AM

Cheesefare Sunday reminds us of the meaning of forgiveness and Christ’s infinite love

Sunday after Mesni Zagovezni or Meat Shrovetide is the last day on which everyone who decides to follow the Great Lent according to the Orthodox calendar can eat dairy products, fish and eggs. Therefore, on Cheesefare Sunday before..

published on 2/26/23 8:00 AM
Maestro Diko Iliev meets with a military orchestra

Iskarsko Horo- Diko Iliev’s first horo

Diko Iliev- composer, conductor, a sui generis talent, a unique phenomenon in Bulgarian culture - authored dozens of marches, waltzes, horo chain dances, ruchenitsi and  brass band music . For decades, Diko Iliev’s Dunavsko Horo has been..

published on 2/17/23 6:05 AM