Yesterday a feast of the BOZA drink took place in the town of Radomir, southwest Bulgaria. BOZA is a slightly fermented beverage prepared by boiling grain cereals, followed by pasting (to remove the bran), diluting with water and sweetening with sugar. In the past the local people from the town “stole” the recipe from the Albanians. People taking part in the event were all dressed in old style costumes.

The BOZA shop initially belonging to Albanian national Ali Serbez, who had settled in Radomir, is now restored and opened again.

The town of Radomir boasts of the one and only monument of the BOZA maker and vendor Bay Ilya (Uncle Ilya).

The old market street has also been brought back to life in the style of times of old. Elegant ladies with parasols and fans had stopped over for a glass of BOZA.

And a real Bay Ilya in flesh and blood was welcoming all guests to the Stoyova House Museum, which among the many exhibits, keeps a collection of vessels and utensils used in the making of BOZA