2023-06-24 00:00:00
2023-06-24 00:00:00
2023-06-24 00:00:00
2023-06-24 00:00:00
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Every year on June 24th, the Bulgarian people celebrate Eniovden, also known as Midsummer. This holiday also coincides with St. John’s day, and mixes Christian traditions with some early pagan rituals. One such ritual is called “nestinarstvo” or fire-dancing. During this ritual, nestinari (fire-dancers) walk and dance on top of burning coals with their bare feet, accompanied by drums and bagpipes. Another takes place around a pile of flowers, where people form a ring and recite chants. Also, it was believed that those who see the sunrise on Eniovden would be blessed with a year of good health. This belief extended to plants as well, giving rise to the tradition of women going out to pick medicinal herbs in the early morning. All of these rituals are carried out with the goal of bringing good health and fertility.
Eniovden was also believed to be the day of the year that marked the shortening of days, and thus, the summer solstice is also celebrated.
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