Podcast in English
Audio Player
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Masked men in Yassen village banish evil forces, diseases and bad luck in old-time ritual

Blind Mare in Yassen village
Photo: istoriograph.bg

As is the tradition of old, people in Yassen village near Pleven banished the evil spirits, diseases and bad luck from their homes, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports.  

A ritual called Blind Mare is performed there after Epiphany and Ivanovden, the day of St. John the Baptist, which is typical for this part of the country. The ritual is men-only, and only the leader of the group does not wear a mask. For the ritual to be a success, none of the masked men should be recognized. 

The locals say they are happy the tradition has been handed down from generation to generation, so that at the beginning of each year good luck and kindness may be invited into their homes, and bring prosperity and abundance throughout the year. 



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

Masquerade Games Festival is being held in Bulgaria's Stara Zagora

Clocks and bells will ring out in the center of Stara Zagora on Saturday, when the city will host the XXIV Masquerade Games Festival . The event will start with a traditional parade of participants.  Attractive babugers, araps, old men and other..

published on 3/15/25 11:36 AM

88 years since the birth of the nightingale of Thrace region - folk singer Nadka Karadzhova

Today marks the 88th anniversary of the birth of remarkable Bulgaria folk singer Nadka Karadzhova . Born on March 14, 1937 in the then Pazardzhik village of Trivoditsi (today - Plovdiv region), she is a descendant of an old musical family. At the age..

published on 3/14/25 2:00 PM
Photo: Probuda-1928 chitalishte, Kralevo village

Photo competition breathes life into characters of Pizho and Penda

Every year, the chitalishte (community culture club) in the village of Kralevo not far from Targovishte, re-enacts Bulgarian traditions and rituals, organizing contests such as “Master lyutenitsa - maker” and “From granny’s dresser”. And for the..

updated on 3/14/25 11:45 AM