Folk songs about vine growing and wine making

published on 2/15/11 1:25 PM

Photo: Архив

Folk songs about vine growing and wine making

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Lovers can officially ignore Valentine's Day in Bulgaria because the day is given over to the celebration of wine and St. Trifon the Pruner, known as Saint Trifon Zarezan in Bulgarian.

Many people in this country would say that honoring the patron saint of vine growers is the right way to mark February 14, although Valentine's Day popularity is quickly growing among young people.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Trifon on February 1 according to the new religious calendar but most people prefer to do it on February 14 according to the old Julian calendar, not least as an alternative to Valentine's Day.

To get you in the right mood today, the first song on the program is "Oh you Sweet wine", performed by the folk ensemble in the town of Sandanski.

Wine rituals in Bulgaria have their roots in the devotion to the ancient Greek god of Dionysus and the Thracians who once inhabited the territory of modern Bulgaria and were known for their winemaking skills.

Wine makers across Bulgaria salute Saint Trifon with the annual pruning of the grape vines, which symbolizes the end of winter. In every town, the man deemed to have grown the biggest amount of grapes that year is crowned King, driven from house to house on a horse-cart, and ordered to get drunk with his friends in order to ensure a plentiful harvest in the coming year.

Next song today, Let us go to the vineyards, performed by popular Bulgarian folk singers Lyubka Rondova and Ivan Katsarov.

Winemaking on Bulgarian lands dates back to antiquity. The ancient Greeks used to call Thrace “the land of Dionysus”. The cult for the god of wine has been preserved until this day and its traces can be found in many Bulgarian rituals and folk songs. But with one important difference – today the real god of revelry is not Dionysus but Saint Trifon the Pruner.

On Radio Bulgaria, you are with our specialized music program, offering you today folk songs on the day of Saint Trifon the Pruner, celebrated on February 14.

Many Bulgarian folk songs talk about wine and its excessive consumption, or as a Bulgarian saying goes, Those who drink too much wine might break their heads.

The next song we offer you makes fun of a young maiden who was too much into drinking wine. The lyrics go like this: “I went down to the wine cellar, and what did my eyes behold – my young bride was drinking wine right from the cask”. The song is in the rendition of prominent folk singer Kostadin Gugov.

As the ancient Romans used to say, In Vino Veritas, or In wine there is truth. The same thought can be found in many Bulgarian folk songs, such as the one we offer you next. Its lyrics say: “Come on friends, pour down wine, and let us reveal the pain and love hidden deep in our souls”.

You are listening to Radio Bulgaria’s TOM and folk songs about wine. The last song today is arranged by composer Hristofor Radanov and tells about a young maiden selling wine in the village pub. The song is performed by Daniel Spasov and Fori band.

Translated by: Rossitsa Petcova

По публикацията работи: Valya Bozhilova

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Folk songs about vine growing and wine making

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