Passers-by in the Swan Park in the Turkish capital Ankara were delighted with Bulgarian folklore and martenitsas.
Performers from the United Municipal School of Arts - Nessebar (a Bulgarian Black Sea town) captivated people with folk dances and songs, and with wishes for good health and happiness they presented them with martenitsas.
The initiative was of the Bulgarian Embassy in Ankara, headed by H.E. Angel Cholakov, on the occasion of the upcoming first of March.
The martenitsas were specially made by students of the school. The ensemble participates in the presentation of Nessebar Municipality to Turkish tour operators, agencies and media and will be the guest of honor at the reception on the occasion of the National Day of Bulgaria (3rd of March).
A Martenitsa is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and usually in the form of two dolls, a white male and a red female. Martenitsas are worn from Baba Marta Day (March 1) until the wearer first sees a stork, swallow, or blossoming tree.
The name of the holiday means "Grandma March" in Bulgarian. The wearing of Martenitsas is a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the spring, which according to Bulgarian folklore begins in March.
Tradition dictates that Martenitsas are always given as gifts, not bought for oneself. They are given to loved ones, friends, and those people to whom one feels close. /BGNES
