March 1 is one of the most beautiful Bulgarian holidays as we all put on our clothes white and red tassels as a ritual for good health and as a welcoming to the coming spring.

All Bulgarians around the world wear martenitsas on March 1, no matter where they are across the globe. Many Bulgarian children abroad make martenitsas and give them to their friends, showing them this beautiful Bulgarian tradition.

In Bulgaria a number of charity events are organized and martenitsas are sold to support people in need.Such an initiative that fosters empathy has been started in the town of Popovo in northeastern Bulgaria. It has a population of 15,000 people, with generous hearts. More about the charity initiative fromRositsaHristova, secretary of the "St. Cyril and Methodius"Community Center in the town.

"Ourmartenitsa workshop is above all a message of kindness and support towards children in our city who have health issues. This year we started on February 15 and continue until March 3. The initiative comes from the community center in Popovo. It is called ‘Children Helping Children’and has managed to bring together pupils of all primary schools in the city for the thirtieth year in a row in order to help people in need. In recent years, children from kindergartens have been included to show their skills in making this most famous Bulgarian symbol. The number of volunteers who teach the participants in the workshop has also beenrising."

"For two weeks in the morning and afternoon, children make martenitsi and put a lot of talent and originality in their handicrafts. They get acquainted with the legends about the martenitsa, traditions and customs. They also learn verses and songs dedicated to the holiday. In the workshop, a special guest is the granddaughter of Baba Martha or Baba Martha herself. On the eve of March 1st, the community centerpresents a beautiful exhibition and citizens and guests of the town have the opportunity to buy martenitsas made by children. The materials and yarn are provided by the community center. Children just need to show creativity. At the end, together with the volunteers of the Bulgarian Red Cross Youth we take martenitsas around town and sell them at three points.Each year we collect some 800-1200 levs and all the money are for children with health problems or in unequal social position. Together with the Municipality we decide where the money should go. This year, the funds we have collected will be directed to two children - Vicky and Peshi, two-year-old twins who have health problems."

More and more people want to be part of this philanthropy. Such initiatives help families in need, but the satisfaction children receive form the good work they did is no less important.

English: Alexander Markov