KOSHAREVO, Bulgaria, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Revellers wearing crimson, some sporting large masks and belts strung with massive copper bells, dance round a hearth on the principle sq. of a Bulgarian village to drive away evil spirits and usher in good well being and crops for the New 12 months.
The competition, held each January within the village of Kosharevo, is named “Surva” and is a mix of Christian and pagan rituals that may be traced again to Thracian instances.
A number of the dancers, referred to as Survakars, or kukers (mummers), put on hand-made wood masks embellished with feathers, which may be as much as two metres excessive. The loud clanging of the bells on their belts is believed to keep off evil and ailments.
Throughout the two-day competition, the village, 50 km west of the capital Sofia, is brimming with life as prolonged households collect to greet the Survakars and supply them conventional dishes.
Georgi Ivanov, 29, has been taking part within the celebrations since he was 5 years previous. Decided to cross the custom on, he makes masks and outfits not just for himself, however for his younger kids too.
“There may be nothing extra thrilling than Surva. Nothing, neither birthdays, nor Christmas, nor the New 12 months. Surva is our time, the time after we turn out to be higher,” Ivanov mentioned.
“One-two weeks earlier than it I really feel as if I’m remodeling into another person, as if another power flows in my veins. The entire village begins to shine,” he mentioned.
(This story has been refiled to take away the extraneous reference to Sunday within the first paragraph)
Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova. Modifying by Jane Merriman
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