Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Day of Granny Marta, March 1 marking the end of winter and the coming of spring

Every year on March 1, people in Bulgaria put on red and white martenitsas – a symbol of health, happiness, marking the end of winter and the coming of spring.

Called Granny Marta, March 1 is the day on which we say goodbye to winter and wish one another health and prosperity. According to an ancient legend, the tradition of donning martenitsas goes back to ancient times when Thracians inhabited our lands; to them they were a symbol of the eternity of life and the immortality of the human spirit. According to a more recent legend, martenitsas are connected with the settlement of Bulgarians on the Balkan Peninsula during the times of Khan Asparuh. The tradition of pinning martenitsas onto one’s clothes is also observed in Romania, Moldova, Albania, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia 



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

Government aircraft evacuates Bulgarians from Lebanon, new flight expected

Some of the Bulgarians in Lebanon were evacuated on a government aircraft flight on Monday evening. The first group, consisting of 89 people, mostly families, mothers with children and elderly people, was welcomed by caretaker Premier Dimitar..

published on 10/1/24 8:46 AM
Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov

Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal starts commercial operations

The commercial launch of the liquefied natural gas terminal in Alexandroupolis, Greece, is expected today . The terminal has already successfully completed all commissioning tests. The opening was originally scheduled for April 2024, but was later..

published on 10/1/24 7:30 AM

Sunny, windy and cold in the morning

On Tuesday it will be sunny and windy in most parts of the country. Clouds will develop in the northeast and along the Black Sea coast, where it may rain in places.  Lows will be between 5 and 10°C, 5°C in Sofia. Highs will be between 16 and 21°C...

published on 9/30/24 7:05 PM