With a rich folklore program and Nestinar ritual celebrated the first Sunday before Lent in Sandrovo

Monday, 27 February 2023

The inhabitants of Sandrovo celebrated first Sunday before Lent  "Sirni Zagovezni" by recreating the folk custom of asking and giving forgiveness, a nestinar ritual and lighting a fire.

Special guest of the celebration was the Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov, who greeted all participants and attendees with wishes to purify their souls, to give and ask for forgiveness, and to fill their hearts with peace and love.

The event, organized by the mayor of Sandrovo Georgi Penkov, was accompanied by a folklore program, which included the dance clubs "Rodolyubets" and "Sandrovska Shevitsa", the orchestra "Siyanie" and a Kuker group. The Nestinarians from "Fire Mystery" created an unforgettable experience with ritual dances on the embers, and at the end of the celebration the hundreds of attendees witnessed the traditional festive ritual with the lighting of fire.
According to Bulgarian folk tradition, the holiday of Sirni Zagovezni is the boundary between winter and spring and is associated with nature being reborn. In different parts of the country it is called by different names - Sirnice, Sirni Pokladi, Sirnitsa, Riya, Zapostavane, Forgiveness, Sunday of Syropust, etc. It is celebrated on the Sunday 7 weeks before Easter and one week after Shrovetide.

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