CHESTITA BABA MARTA! (HAPPY GRANDMA MARTA!) ---- 1 MARZO
For Bulgarians these simple pieces of string are part of a very old tradition.
On March 1, people give each other these woollen charms, called Martenitsi, in order to wish the recipient love and virility, health and protection against evil (Chestita Baba Marta! means Happy Grandma Marta!). It’s a symbol of the spring season. Most of the people in the street are wearing Martenitsi. But not only people wear them, cats and dogs do too. As do offices and houses. The red pieces of wool in the Martenitsa, is supposed to drive away evil, the white wool symbolises longevity and eternity.
There is a saying that “if you don’t wear your Martenitsa, Baba Marta (Grandma Marta) will bring you evil”. This mythical granny personifies the month of March. She is an old lady that can just as easily smile and be gentle as hard and mean. That’s why the weather in March is so unstable.
In principle you wear your Martenitsi during the month of March. And you only stop wearing them on two occasions: either after March 22 when you see a tree with blossoms, or when you see a stork. But because storks aren’t that plentiful in Sofia’s centre, most people opt for the fresh blossoms. What you do, is take of your Martenista and tie in to the branch with the blossoms. Unmarried girls put their Martenitsi under a big stone in order to receive good luck in marriage.
FIESTA NACIONAL BÚLGARA ---- 3 MARZO
Since 1888 March 3 has become Bulgaria's Day of Liberation and it was not pronounced a National Holiday until 1978. The liberation of Bulgaria came as a result of the victory of Russia in the Russo-Turkish war declared on 12 April 1877. During the war, 12 battalions of more than 12,000 Bulgarians joined with the Russian army to fight against the forces of Ottoman Empire. On March 3, 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano (a tiny town near Istanbul) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed which brought Bulgaria back to the political map. The Peace Treaty of San Stefano marks the revival of the Bulgarian State, submerged under Ottoman rule since the end of 14th century. It is this day that is remembered as Bulgaria's Independence, as throughout its cities, towns and villages the people of Bulgaria pause for a tribute.
