The biggest holiday for Muslims, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, is Eid al-Adha. It begins in the evening hours of the day of Arife (June 27), when Muslims pay respect to their deceased relatives and loved ones. The following morning, festive prayers are held in the mosques.
The holiday is associated with the power of faith and is marked by the sacrifice of an animal as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty. In this way, believers pay tribute to the prophet Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail to prove his faith in Allah. The ritual symbolizes humility, repentance, reconciliation and forgiveness.
People call Kurban Bayram a holiday of mercy and forgiveness, which brings together the community of people who profess Islam. Traditionally, younger people ask adults for forgiveness and children receive gifts.
In Momchilgrad, there is a curious tradition of handing out mekitsi (traditional Bulgarian fried pastry) on the eve of Arife. This year, volunteers will hand out more than 2,000 mekitsi during a holiday concert on an outdoor stage in the park, as children will showcase their talents.
Learn more about the holiday from an article that is part of the rich collection of Radio Bulgaria:
Editor: E. Karkalanova
Photo: BTA
On September 13 and 14 th the Orthodox Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which is one of the greatest Christian holidays, celebrated with special solemnity. In Bulgaria it is widely known as..
On September 8, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nativity of the Holy Theotokos), we take a look at the beautiful valley of Gabrovnitsa River and the Monastery of the Holy Theotokos, better..
Bulgaria is celebrating 145 years of the Shipka Peak epopee - the heroic six-day epic battle in which the native defenders proved that freedom is not a gift, but was won with the blood and sacrifice of thousands of Bulgarians. The Balkan peak of Saint..
+359 2 9336 661