Sights

This summer Veliko Tarnovo will turn into the world capital of folklore for the 17^th consecutive year. An event which has become a tradition in the cultural life of the town. It is a real, long anticipated feast for both citizens and guests of the old capital of Bulgaria. Dancers, musicians and singers from all over the world (India, Romania, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Macedonia, Mexico, Columbia to name a few and of course the host Bulgaria) will bring colour and motion into our summer days in a way most enchanting and unique. Due to its perfect organization, exotic participants and the positive charge and emotions it brings, the festival is considered one of the most popular events in the world of folklore.

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Enyovden (Enyo’s day) is a festival related to the summer solstice. It takes place on 24th June and coincides with St. John Baptist’s Day. It is both a religious feast and a traditional folk ritual. On Midsummer Day the sun is believed to end its journey towards summer and, after rotating three times it turns towards winter. In ancient times there was the popular belief that herbs gathered before sunrise on Enyovden have stronger healing powers than those gathered on any other day of the year, so medicine women went to the meadows and in the woods early in the morning to pick herbs. According to the tradition, on Enyovden children and adults ’bath’ in the dew in order to be strong and healthy. Young women twine a wreath of flowers and herbs and everybody passes through it three times as a ritual for health and fertility. Continue Reading