Bulgaria loves a celebration and Lazarovden is no exception. It is a delightful, traditional event 8 days before Easter. The young girls from the village are key in celebrating Lazarovden.

The young women, called lazarki, pick flowers for the wreaths that they will knit for Tsvetnitsa (the next day Palm Sunday). The girls wear traditional folk costumes. They tour the houses of the village, sing ritual holiday songs, and bless for health, happiness, and prosperity. The owner of the home gives them eggs, money, fruits and small gifts. In the past, on Lazarovden, the young men from the village asked for the hand of their chosen one.

Wearing traditional costume of their local area the Dragizhevo group visit their neighbours and dance and sing folklore songs of love, happiness, health and prosperity. This tradition is disappearing now in the cities, so we cherish the fact that in the local villages the traditions are still strong and celebrated – even if it was a bit cold today! Find out more here.

Another interesting celebration day in Bulgaria is Palm Sunday, which is the day after Lazerovden.

We found these old photos of Lazerovden in our archive. Some of these girls are still in the group picture above. We are proud that one of our receptionists is in these photos and is an integral part of our village’s traditions.