Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 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

Mummers parade at carnival in Blagoevgrad

Mummers from the neighborhoods of Bulgaria's town of Blagoevgrad, the neighboring villages and guests from Petrich paraded at a carnival in the regional town, as the sounds of hundreds of bells filled the town.  For yet another year, the Mummers'..

published on 1/7/24 6:31 PM

Men will dance in the icy waters of the Ogosta River for the first time

For more than 20 years in the city of Montana, there has been a tradition on January 6 for people to go to Montanenzium Park, where there is an artificial lake, suitable for conducting the Orthodox Christian ritual called "Saving the Holy Cross" on the..

published on 1/5/24 9:35 PM

Day of Saint Sylvester or Karamanovden

The Orthodox church marks the day of Saint Sylvester today. A Roman Pope, who lived in the 3rd-4th century, and who, according to legend baptized Emperor Constantine I the Great and converted him to Christianity.  In folklore belief, Saint Sylvester is..

published on 1/2/24 10:48 AM