On 25-th March the #Orthodox #Church celebrates the feast of the Annunciation, which in Bulgarian is called #Blagoveshtenie. On that day the #angel #Gabriel visited #Virgin #Mary and informed her, that she would give birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
​In the past, before the communists come to power, Blagoveshtenie was the temple feast of the Church “St. Sophia” in the Bulgarian Capital.
       According to #Bulgarian #folklore when Blagoveshtenie comes, the winter goes away.  When the church bells ring in the morning, the swallow have to come and bring the good news that the winter is over. If the swallow is late, then cold days are coming.
       Early in the morning young ladies go through the village and sing traditional songs. It is believed that one should get up early and have breakfast, in order to be health and full for the whole year. Everyone must have money in their pocket – if a cuckoo cuckoos you, you better have money. On this day the cuckoo cuckoos for first time in the year. If you see a stork on that day, you will be happy through the year. But the stork has to be in flight, not walking or standing on the ground – if so, it is a bad omen. Other belief is that on Blagoveshtenie every wound heals easy and fast. That’s why on that day little girls’ ears should be pierced.
       Traditionally on the table are served fish with rice (ribnik), colorful bread (sharena pitka), honey, luchnik (doughy dish with onion), docks, sorrels, nettle - when Blagoveshtenie comes, we catch at the green . At that time of the year grow the first edible plants. Although the day is during the Easter fasting, it is allowed to have fish, because this is really significant Christian holiday. 

       Every year on 22-nd of March the citizens of Veliko Tarnovo celebrate the day of their town. The reason this exact date to become a holiday of the Old Bulgarian Capital is that on March 22 (March 9 acc. to the Julian calendar), 1230 Tsar Ivan Asen II defeated the Epirus ruler Theodore Komnenos Doukas at the battle of Klokotnitsa.  Theodore was captured and spent the next 7 years in captivity. He was released in 1237 when Tsar Ivan Asen II married his daughter Irene. In honor of the victory was constructed the Church “Holy Forty Martyrs”.
       Nowadays people from all over the country go to Veliko Tarnovo for the celebrations, which begin in the morning with liturgy in the Church “Holy Forty Martyrs” and last until the evening. The city center is full of people, it is a day off for the children at school. During the day diverse vocal and dance academies take part, folklore ensembles as well. In the afternoon there is street parade and in the evening paper lantern lights will fly in the air. In the end comes the spectacular show “Sound and Light” at the Tsarevets Hill and fireworks illuminate the whole sky above the city.
        If you ever have the chance to go there and be part of this and feel the spirit of March 22, do not hesitate do it! It’s totally worth it! 

     ​Every year March 8 is worldwide celebrated as the day of the woman or the working woman. On March 8, 1857, garment workers in New York City marched, demanding improved working conditions, a ten hour day, and equal rights for women, but the police broke their ranks. Then on March 8, 1908, there was a new march in New York for the right to vote and an end to sweatshops and child labor. In August 1910 on International Women's Conference Luise Zietz, a German socialist, proposed the establishment of an annual 'International Woman's Day' Clara Zetkin, although no date was specified. Clara Zetkin established the first "International Women's Day" on 19 March 1911. The date March 8 is celebrated for the first time in 1914 and is dedicated to equal rights for women.
     Nowadays March 8 is an expression of love and respect to all the women. In Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina etc. men gives flowers and presents to the women in their lives – mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, wives, girlfriends, colleagues. They take them out to fancy restaurants and make them feel special. In Bulgaria and Romania it turned into a Mother’s day too, so children show their respect and gratefulness to their mothers by giving them flowers.  Children in school also bring flowers for their female teachers. In Italy, to celebrate the day, men give yellow mimosas to women. Yellow mimosas and chocolate are also one of the most common March 8 presents in Russia and Albania.
     Eventually no matter where you are coming from, if you are a woman, have a very special day today! If you are a man - respect women in your life and make their day wonderful!