Sarakatsani in Bulgaria

published on 4/1/11 12:27 PM

Photo: Архив

“The ethnicity of Sarakatsani in Bulgaria is very well integrated and in good relations with all other ethnicities in this country.” That was what Mr. Kosta Balezdrov, head of the Federation of Cultural Associations of Sarakatsani said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. The goal of this NGO is to preserve the history, lifestyle, folklore and culture of that ethnic group that came here from neighboring Greece over 200 years ago. Its first representatives moved to these lands in the 1788 – 1822 period due to the persecutions of the Turkish high-ranked official Ali Pasha. Some 15-20,000 Sarakatsani live in Bulgaria today. Their language is the Greek one, as they feel as a part of the Greek ethnicity. Groups of Sarakatsani are scattered in several regions near the Balkan range – the towns of Karlovo, Kazanlak, Vratsa and Montana, while the biggest group lives in Sliven and the villages nearby. There are Sarakatsani in the Rila town of Samokov too. The origin of the word Sarakatsani is sought in the Turkish kara – black and katsan – a refugee. This is most likely due to the black clothes that the ethnicity used to wear.

“They were mainly shepherds – Mr. Balezdrov explains. – They had huge flocks of sheep and few goats. The Sarakatsani sold milk, cheese, yellow cheese and wool. However, very few of them deal with these things nowadays – they have turned into doctors, economists, lawyers and businessmen. However, the nomadic way of life has marked their spirit and they never give up, no matter the difficulties. Religion is the main connection with the Bulgarian ethnicity – both peoples are Orthodox Christians. Besides that we also lived in the Balkans and had to fight for our freedom in the 19th century.”

Sarakatsani folklore is relatively unknown. People’s lifestyle was its main influence and inspiration. “Our songs are slower, with no musical background. The dances are slower too” Kosta Balezdrov explains. However, the Sarakatsani folklore is still alive today, when different cultural associations have created dancing and singing ensembles, which perform at local festivals. St. George’s and St. Dimitar’s days are the most important fests for the Sarakatsani ethnicity. “On St. Dimitar’s day they used to climb down the mountain and headed to warmer places like the Black sea coastline, where they spent the winter. Then on St. George’s day they returned to the mountain” – Mr. Balezdrov says. Sarakatsani eat lamb on St. George’s day, just like the rest of the Bulgarians. They also visit a church on each big holiday. However, the famous Sarakatsani Fest remains their biggest festival that takes place each year in the Karandila area near the town of Sliven.

“The traditional fest gathers each year representatives of the Sarakatsani ethnicity from all over Bulgaria and also from Greece – Kosta Balezdrov explains. – People meet their relatives and friends there that are difficult to be seen over the rest of the year due to the distance. We celebrate with Sarakatsani songs and dances, we tell stories. Different traditions are re-born. This is a very big celebration to us and a chance to see people from all over Bulgaria and Greece.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev

Photos are provided by the Federation of Cultural Associations of Sarakatsani.

По публикацията работи: Roumyana Tsvetkova

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Sarakatsani in Bulgaria

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