The Kukerlandia Festival – One Of The Must-See Events In Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a land of legends, traditions and mysterious creatures. The annual kukeri’s (elaborately costumed men) Festival is one of the must-see local events in the town of Yambol. These masquer figures are intended to scare evil spirits and chase them from the land.

The two-day Kukerlanidia Festival

shows the whole magic of the local purifying rituals in South-East Bulgaria. The event takes place between the first and the second Sunday prior to Lent (Zagovezni), usually in March. Dozens of kukeri groups take part in it and thousands of people assemble to watch.

It would be difficult to put into words the experience evoked by the celebration of vernal purifying. The costumes cover most of the body and include decorated wooden masks of animals (sometimes double-faced) and large bells attached to the belt.

The kukeri traditionally visit peoples’ houses at night so that “the sun would not catch them on the road”. After parading around the village, they usually gather at the village square to dance wildly and amuse the people.

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