Let's start #SURVA 2017!

          Today will be given the start of the XXVI International Festival of Masquerade Games in the city of #Pernik, Bulgaria. It is a pagan ritual and part of the Bulgarian folklore. Survakari or Kukeri are the people, traditionally only men, who perform the rituals of #Surva. They put on special masks, hand-made by each of the participants. Most of the masks are made of wood. Different colored threads are glued on it as well as pieces of multicolored fabrics, mirrors and other shiny elements. The masks represent a ram, a goat or a bull. They hang bells on their waists, which is another protection against the evil. The Kukeri aim to scary and sweep away forever the evil spirits with the help of special magic dances and the scary masks, and sing songs for health, fertility and luck during the new year.
         The beginning of the festival in Pernik goes back to 1966. Since 1985 it has a status of international event. Usually it is held during the last weekend of January. On Saturday and Sunday you can watch the parade of different groups from all over Bulgaria and abroad. Annually for these 2 days Pernik becomes so lively and crowded with Bulgarians from various regions and foreigners from Europe and even abroad, who have come to Pernik to watch the festival, to feel the spirit of Surva, to learn more about Bulgarian folklore and to have fun all together.
For this year’s schedule you can read more at: en.surva.org/schedule.php