The Day of Pernik is celebrated on October 19^th. On this date we pay homage to the memory of St. John of Rila, the protector of the Bulgarian people, called ‘an angel on Earth and a haven resident’ while he was still alive. The man was a monk, devoted to fasting and prayers at the Rila Monastery who would help anyone in need, healing sick people too. The Rila wonderworker was also a protector of miners. That is why the citizens of the miners’ town of Pernik, South-West Bulgaria recognize him as their saint and consider St. John to be the patron of their town. As we all know, Pernik is called the Black Gold Town due to its huge coal deposits. It was the place where back in 1891 the first mine of the State Mines - Pernik Company was unveiled. Miners have celebrated October 19^th as their holiday since 1903 and in 1994 it was proclaimed a Day of Pernik. Traditionally the festive program includes concerts of the town’s artistic formations: the Graovska Mladost Ensemble, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the city brass orchestra and their soloists. They are all the pride of the settlement due to the international successes and recognition across the globe.

Mayor of Pernik Mrs. Vyara Tserovska gives us more details on the forthcoming events:

"This is a fest that we are preparing for with great content. We aim at meeting the requirements and expectations of both our fellow citizens and our guests. Just like every other year the fest will start with a solemn liturgy at the St. John of Rila temple downtown. Then it will continue at the Izvorche kindergarten, renovated under the Regions in Growth OP. It will be officially unveiled on October 19^th. The festive part comes next in the square where many awards will be handed – a Builder of the Year, a Journalist of the Year etc. We will hail all those people who have worked hard for so many years, contributing to the building and development of the town, who have added to a more interesting and better public life within the town. The program includes performances of school and local formations. We will listen to renditions of young pop singer Nikoleta Stanoikova and also of folk singers Iva Davidova and Sorina Bogomilova who keep the traditions of the region alive. We will have a nice meeting with those Bulgarians from the Western Outlands. They have prepared a concert for us not only to bring joy to Pernik, but also to show their Bulgarian origin, to show that they are part of us. We will applaud and welcome them. They will be onstage within the 4 – 6 pm timeframe. The festive program further includes performances of Krisko, a concert of the Signal band etc."

Mrs. Tserovska is sure that the festive atmosphere will attract many guests from different towns and villages around.

"I wish health, positivism and pride to my fellow citizens," Mrs. Tserovska further said. "Our heart is the thing that gets us back to our birthplace. I think that with our energy, with everything we want and can do for Pernik we show that our town is the best one in the South-West – close to the capital city, but so different from it at the same time…"

English version: Zhivko Stanchev