Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Residents of Karaisen celebrate Ivanovden with authentic ritual for chasing away evil

published on 1/7/24 11:45 AM

Photo: Zdravka Maslyankova, BNR correspondent

With an authentic ritual that has no analogue in Bulgaria, the residents of the village of Karaisen, Northern Bulgaria, celebrate St. John's Day (Ivanovden in Bulgarian). The holiday is called "Ivanovi Vlachugi" (dragging, pulling on Saint John's Day) and has been passed down since time immemorial, and today it is kept by the local village residents, reports BNR correspondent in Veliko Tarnovo Zdravka Maslyankova.

The name of the ritual comes from the pulling to the water fountain of persons with the name Ivan, maidens and bachelors, as well as all young people who have become families in the previous year. In Karaisen, people believe that "Ivanovi vlachugi" cleanse bad energy and drive away evil, bring health and prosperity to the entire village.

According to museologist Diana Miteva, this tradition comes from the conversion of the Bulgarians to Christianity, which began in 864, because when people were baptized, they were dragged, as it was a forced process.

The ritual is marked every year. In the past, it was very popular in the entire Veliko Tarnovo region.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria Life Christianity Ivanovden Ivanovi vlachugi Saint John's Day Veliko Tarnovo

Gallery

More from category

Observe the lifeguard signalling on the Bulgarian beaches

The summer and the heatwaves that have engulfed the concrete jungles we inhabit drive most people to seek more frequent and longer-lasting coolness by various waterbodies and, of course, at the Black Sea coast. However, upon arriving at the beach,..

published on 7/29/24 12:21 PM

A 60-meter-long table brings neighbors and residents of Sofia together

Oborishte District organized an event called "The Big Table". It is held under the motto "Bring Food. Meet Your Neighbor". On Saturday, the communal table closed Exarch Joseph Street in central Sofia. A 60-meter-long table brought neighbours, guests..

published on 7/28/24 4:36 PM

NGO initiates campaign against unregulated dumps in Bulgaria

"BG Be Active"Association invites NGOs, sports clubs and educational institutions to encourage the organization of clean-up events and educational talks in connection with the campaign "NO to illegal dumping", with a focus on water..

published on 7/28/24 8:35 AM

1
2
3
4
5
6
..
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly Cloudy
Min: 18 | Max: 29

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

A 60-meter-long table brings neighbors and residents of Sofia together

Oborishte District organized an event called "The Big Table". It is held under the motto "Bring Food. Meet Your Neighbor". On Saturday, the communal..

published on 7/28/24 4:36 PM

NGO initiates campaign against unregulated dumps in Bulgaria

"BG Be Active"Association invites NGOs, sports clubs and educational institutions to encourage the organization of clean-up events and..

published on 7/28/24 8:35 AM

Observe the lifeguard signalling on the Bulgarian beaches

The summer and the heatwaves that have engulfed the concrete jungles we inhabit drive most people to seek more frequent and longer-lasting coolness by..

published on 7/29/24 12:21 PM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking