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

Borislav Sarafov

Borislav Sarafov has the qualities to be elected Prosecutor General

Borislav Sarafov meets all the requirements and has the qualities to be elected Prosecutor General. This position was taken by the committees on attestation and competitions and on professional ethics at the Prosecutors College of the..

published on 11/26/24 1:18 PM

The first statue found at Heraclea Sintica probably depicts the grandson of Emperor Octavian Augustus

The first marble statue discovered in the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica on 3 July,  is probably of Lucius – grandson of Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus, announced Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski who is in charge of the excavations...

published on 11/26/24 10:30 AM

Rumen Radev in Vietnam: Wise diplomacy can prevent war

President Rumen Radev, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam, delivered a lecture on the occasion of the 75 th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of..

published on 11/26/24 9:30 AM