Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Old New Year is celebrated on January 13

Photo: archive

The Old New Year or the Orthodox New Year is marked on January 13, because of the differences between the Gregorian and the Julian calendar. The day marks the start of the New Year by the Julian calendar. Orthodox Communities that refuse to accept the new style calendar celebrate the Old New Year on the night of January 14. According to the believers who follow the old style calendar, this date (Old New Year) does not break the Nativity Fast. This is also the time when mummers festivals,(masquerade games aimed at banishing evil forces) take place across the country.

Between January 13 and 15 the Bulgarian Roma celebrate their new year. The day, known as Vasilyovden or Bango Vasil, is associated with several Roma legends. One of the legends has it that Bango Vasil is an advocate and defender of the Roma.

On January 13 all family members gather for a festive meal. The festive table includes banitsa (cheese pie), baklava (layered pastry desert made of filo, walnuts and sugar syrup), sarmi (stuffed cabbage rolls), poultry with rice or sour cabbage, etc.




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

Lonely elderly people in Burgas will have a digital assistant

From the beginning of 2025, Home Social Patronage-Burgas will introduce a digital health and social service – "teleassistance", reported BNR Burgas. The new service, "digital assistant," will build on the telemedicine services that Burgas..

published on 12/18/24 9:07 AM

Justice for All rallies against Chief Prosecutor selection process

The "Justice for All" initiative is organising a flashlights-lit protest this evening in front of Sofia Courthouse against the procedures for electing a Prosecutor General and a President of the Supreme Administrative Court, carried out by the Supreme..

published on 12/18/24 8:15 AM

Open-air ice rink opens in Burgas

A 400-square-meter ice rink opens in Troikata Square in the seaside city of Burgas at 6:30 p.m today. Organizers also offer the opportunity to use the services of an instructor who would guide people on how to safely skate on the ice...

published on 12/18/24 8:05 AM