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© WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR PRESENT” LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMME GRUNDTVIG
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© WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Dec 26, 2015

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Page 1: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

© WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria

© WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria

“THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR PRESENT”

LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMME GRUNDTVIG

Page 2: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Happy New Year before and after 1989 in Bulgaria

The kinds of winter celebration we meet nowadays in Kardzhali is a palette of ethnical experiences as Muslims amount for 65% of the population, Christians – 29%, and Pomaks (Bulgarian speaking Muslims) – 6 %. In the central city, small groups of Armenians, Roma people, Greeks and Jews live as well, while the surrounding villages are fitting to a highly polarized ethnic model, being inhabited exclusively by Bulgarians (Christians) or Turks (Muslims) only. During the period of socialist regime (1944-1989), Christmas was practically forbidden in Bulgaria as a religious celebration. In fact, forbidden were also the winter religious holidays of all ethnicities. Some Christian families continued celebrating Christmas Eve on January 6th and Christmas of January 7 in secrecy cooking traditional roast pork and slaughtering a home-raised pig for the occasion. Officially, during socialist time, the winter celebration was the welcoming of the New Year, when children received gifts from “Grandpa Frost” – a substitute for the outlawed Santa Klaus. After 1989, all winter celebrations of the different ethnicities were rehabilitated: the Christian Christmas, the Muslim Ashurа, the Armenian Christmas, the Chanukah of the Jews and Vassilitsa (Roma New Year) of the Gypsy.

The kinds of winter celebration we meet nowadays in Kardzhali is a palette of ethnical experiences as Muslims amount for 65% of the population, Christians – 29%, and Pomaks (Bulgarian speaking Muslims) – 6 %. In the central city, small groups of Armenians, Roma people, Greeks and Jews live as well, while the surrounding villages are fitting to a highly polarized ethnic model, being inhabited exclusively by Bulgarians (Christians) or Turks (Muslims) only. During the period of socialist regime (1944-1989), Christmas was practically forbidden in Bulgaria as a religious celebration. In fact, forbidden were also the winter religious holidays of all ethnicities. Some Christian families continued celebrating Christmas Eve on January 6th and Christmas of January 7 in secrecy cooking traditional roast pork and slaughtering a home-raised pig for the occasion. Officially, during socialist time, the winter celebration was the welcoming of the New Year, when children received gifts from “Grandpa Frost” – a substitute for the outlawed Santa Klaus. After 1989, all winter celebrations of the different ethnicities were rehabilitated: the Christian Christmas, the Muslim Ashurа, the Armenian Christmas, the Chanukah of the Jews and Vassilitsa (Roma New Year) of the Gypsy.

Page 3: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Christmas Table in Bulgaria

Frame of the Christmas music video of Coca Cola, which was made earlier this year in Bulgaria.

Today, the Bulgarian Christmas ritual repast includes jelly, roast pork, homemade flat loaf, meat filo dough pastry, roasted liver, jerk meat with cabbage, and roast hen. But what else is there on the ritual table?

Today, the Bulgarian Christmas ritual repast includes jelly, roast pork, homemade flat loaf, meat filo dough pastry, roasted liver, jerk meat with cabbage, and roast hen. But what else is there on the ritual table?

For the Germans, cabbage leaves accompany the duck with potatoes, the leg of deer is typical for the Scandinavian table, while, on the Balkans, cabbage is considered extremely precious and makes a compulsory presence on the Christmas repast. What is present on the table of the Slavic people? On Christmas, the Macedonian housewives prepare stuffed cabbage leaves, placing in each cabbage leaf a tiny bit of minced pork or beef, mixed with rice and herbs. Kutia, a typical dish for Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Latvia, is made of barley or wheat, honey, dried fruit and apples. In that way, on Christmas tribute is paid to the grains, which will feed the family throughout the year. The tradition to slaughter a pig for the repast and prepare from it a great variety of dishes – mostly observed by Christian families from the smaller villages in Bulgaria – is a tradition that takes us back to pagan times. On Christmas Eve, the Christians in Bulgaria traditionally prepare and serve seven vegetarian dishes on their ritual repast, with which their mark the end of the advent - the Christmas fast. Meat can be eaten only after midnight - on Christmas Day.

Page 4: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Dedicated to Christmas (handmade cards)

Page 5: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Dedicated to Christmas(handmade gifts and decoration)

Page 6: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

New Year carolsOne of the most important New Year rituals is the survakane (wishing Happy New Year by tapping people’s backs with a specially decorated cornel twig while chanting a song). Survakane starts at midnight on December 31st. In some parts of Bulgaria, an ancient calendar is observed and, accordingly, the ritual takes place on January 14 th. Children start preparing their cornel twigs (survachki or survaknici) days or weeks in advance and decorate them with dried fruit, pop corn, peppers, red thread, colored paper, ribbons, and apples – everything symbolic of health, longevity, diligence and holiday spirit. They set off to visit the neighboring houses and tap with their survachka the backs of each house’s hosts for health while chanting the blessing:

Surva, surva year,

Joyful New Year!

Golden wheat-ear in the field,

Big bunch of grapes in the vineyard,

Yellow maize in the wood,

Red apple the garden,

House full of silk,

Life and health for the year,

The next year and forever!

In the villages of the Rhodopi mountain, the survakari (children or men performing the rite) also bring to each house one heavy stone, which they leave by the fireplace as a symbolic wish that big “heavy” riches enter the house. They bless the family with the words, “As heavy as this stone is, let the purse of the master of the house be also so heavy.”

In the villages of the Rhodopi mountain, the survakari (children or men performing the rite) also bring to each house one heavy stone, which they leave by the fireplace as a symbolic wish that big “heavy” riches enter the house. They bless the family with the words, “As heavy as this stone is, let the purse of the master of the house be also so heavy.”

Page 7: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Muslim New Year rituals

Page 8: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Ashura, Al-Hijra (Thursday, 16 December, 2010)

Ashura is the Muslim New year • Prophet Muhammad moved from

Mecca. Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is the first day of the month of Muharram. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina, and set up the first Islamic state. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix AH (After Hijra). The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix AH (After Hijra).

• Al Hijra: Islamic New Year's Day - First day of the Islamic New Year celebrated on the first day of Muharram. Al Hijra is the day when Mohammed began his migration from Mecca to Medina in Islamic Year 1 (1 AH), 622 CE.

Page 9: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Ashura – on Thursday, 16 December, 2010

There is no specific religious ritual required on

this day, but Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for 'New Year Resolutions'. The date marks the beginning of Islam as a community in which spiritual and earthly life were completely integrated.

Ashura has been a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims since the days of the early Muslim community. It marks two historical events: the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark, and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi'a Muslims in particular use the day to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet, in 680 CE.

There is no specific religious ritual required on

this day, but Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for 'New Year Resolutions'. The date marks the beginning of Islam as a community in which spiritual and earthly life were completely integrated.

Ashura has been a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims since the days of the early Muslim community. It marks two historical events: the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark, and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi'a Muslims in particular use the day to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet, in 680 CE.

Page 10: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

ASHURA (NOAH’S PUDDING)•The legends say that the prophet Noah, looking for a way to feed the believers who climbed on his ark, appealed to everyone to empty all the food they had in possession into a big pot in order to cook a meal. All products poured in the pot turned into the dish Ashure – a dish that is prepared to this day to honor the day on which humankind was reborn. •Ashure contains beans, chick-peas, corn, wheat, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, raisins, dried fruit, walnuts, water, sugar and others. •The commemoration of Ashure Day, or, in other words, the end of the Deluge, which unites all of humankind, is considered a universal value for all major religions.

Therefore, the historical dish Ashure is prepared to symbolically honor the day on which humankind was born again. After cooking it, Ashure is traditionally given away to family, friends and neighbors, without making a distinction of faith, as this date and this dish are a reason to get together and exchange gifts. In this way, for centuries, Ashure has furthered love and respect among neighbors, kin and relatives.

Page 11: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

THE RECIPEThousands of years old recipe for Noah’s Pudding - makes 30 servings for you and your neighbors.

Ingredients*:1 cup wheat1 cup white beans1 cup chickpeas1 cup raisins1 cup almonds3/4 cup peanuts12 dried apricots5 1/2 cups sugarWater (enough to cover) Topping: walnuts, cinnamon

Preparation:Soak wheat, white beans, chickpeas, and almonds in water overnight. Boil the above ingredients (step 1) and remove their outer shells or skin. Soak the raisins in boiling water until they soften. Put the above ingredients (steps 1-3) in a large pot and boil. Add peanuts and almonds (peeled and cut in half) at this point. Chop the apricot into small pieces and add to the mixture along with sugar. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy your pudding!

Page 12: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Armenian Winter Celebrations: Armenian Holy Nativity

Holiday Armenian dictionary • New Year = Gahant• Christmas eve = Hatman Kisher• Christmas = Dzanunt • Merry Christmas, Christ is born and revealed = Qristos tsnav eev haitnetsav• Blessed is the revelation of Christ = Orhneal e haitnutun Qristosee

Holiday Armenian dictionary • New Year = Gahant• Christmas eve = Hatman Kisher• Christmas = Dzanunt • Merry Christmas, Christ is born and revealed = Qristos tsnav eev haitnetsav• Blessed is the revelation of Christ = Orhneal e haitnutun Qristosee

Every year many Armenians in the Western countries have two Christmas because according to the church calendar of this tiny south-east European the Armenian Christmas is celebrated on January 6. Since in 2010 the Christmas falls on a Wednesday, many Armenians who live in the Diaspora will celebrate the 2010 Christmas on January 10, which falls Sunday. The Armenian Christmas eve starts on January 5th. The Christmas day Mass and the celebrations start in the morning of January 6th. Yet, the Western Orthodox countries, such as Russia and Greece celebrate the Orthodox Christmas on January 7, which is the same December 25th according to the Julian Calendar. The difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars currently is 13 days. On Christmas eve and the morning, Armenians greet each other with Christmas Greetings.

Page 13: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Armenian Christmas is actually the original date for celebrating the birthday of Jesus. The Roman Catholic church has changed it in the 4th century. The Armenian church did not have the same reasons that made the Catholic Church to change the date of Christmas.

Armenian Christmas is actually the original date for celebrating the birthday of Jesus. The Roman Catholic church has changed it in the 4th century. The Armenian church did not have the same reasons that made the Catholic Church to change the date of Christmas.

Since the Armenians did not have the problem that the Romans and the Orthodox had, the Armenian Christmas is celebrated on January 6 since the 1st century to 2010. Merry Christmas to the Armenians, Russian, Greek and the Orthodox, Catholics once again and all Christians.

The center of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located in the city of Etchmiadzin named after the main Cathedral of the Armenian Church. Holy Etchmiadzin is built in 303 and is like a magnet for millions of Armenians spread around the world. Each year, during Christmas, the head of the Armenian Church, currently Katholikos Karekin the 2nd sends his traditional Christmas message to all the Armenian faithful around the world.

Since the Armenians did not have the problem that the Romans and the Orthodox had, the Armenian Christmas is celebrated on January 6 since the 1st century to 2010. Merry Christmas to the Armenians, Russian, Greek and the Orthodox, Catholics once again and all Christians.

The center of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located in the city of Etchmiadzin named after the main Cathedral of the Armenian Church. Holy Etchmiadzin is built in 303 and is like a magnet for millions of Armenians spread around the world. Each year, during Christmas, the head of the Armenian Church, currently Katholikos Karekin the 2nd sends his traditional Christmas message to all the Armenian faithful around the world.

Page 14: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Armenian Christmas wishes and cards

Armenian Christmas wishes and cards

"Нито Shnorhavor TARI Sourb Dznound yev!”

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! “

Page 15: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Gypsies celebrate New Year named “Vassilitsa” and “Bango Vassily” on 14 January every year

Gypsies celebrate New Year named “Vassilitsa” and “Bango Vassily” on 14 January every year

Page 16: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Roma New Year - “Vassilitsa” Roma New Year - “Vassilitsa”

Today, January 14th, is the Roma New Year – Vassilica. The celebration of Bango Vassili (The Limping Vassil) is connected to a few Romani legends. According to them, Bango Vassili is Martyr Vassil – patron and defender of the Roma people. Bango Vassili celebrations are tied to different Romani myths, which can be categorized in two types. In the first type, Bango Vassili is Martyr Vassil - defender of the Roma. He rebuilds the legendary bridge through which the Roma cross after this bridge has been destroyed by the Devil or by God and in this way saves the Roma people from drowning. The second type of legends present Bango Vassili as a "historical" character - a limping shepherd, who saves a Roma child from drowning or gives shelter to a Gypsy who is running away from his enemies.

Bango Vassili is being celebrated for three days in a row, though a distinction is made between Vassilovden (Saint Vassil’s Day) – on January 13th and 14th, and Bango Vassili – on January 15th. The night between January 13th and January 14th often plays the role of Christmas Eve.

Page 17: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Roma winter celebration of New Year…

Page 18: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

The Jewish holiday of Chanukah

Page 19: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Chanukah in 2010In 2010 Chanukah begins on 1st of December and continuous till 9th of December.

• Chanukah begins four days before the new moon, which is the darkest night of the month. Kislev, the month in which Chanukah takes place, is also close to the winter solstice, which is the longest -- and darkest -- month of the year. The only ritual associated with Chanukah is lighting the candles on the chanukiah. Like many other faiths, the Jewish holiday of Chanukah brings light into the darkest time of the year.

• Did you know that the eight-day holiday of Chanukah falls anytime between the middle of November and the beginning of January? The date fluctuates because Chanukah is set according to the Jewish calendar, which is lunar-based. The holiday of Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Did you know that Chanukah is one of the least religiously significant holidays in the Jewish calendar? The principle holidays of the Jewish faith include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover and Shanuot. Due to its proximity to Christmas, however, Chanukah has taken on greater prominence in the last century. Did you know that giving gifts is not a tradition historically associated with Chanukah? Again, the proximity to Christmas has rubbed off on Chanukah celebrations - commercially speaking at least.

• Chanukah begins four days before the new moon, which is the darkest night of the month. Kislev, the month in which Chanukah takes place, is also close to the winter solstice, which is the longest -- and darkest -- month of the year. The only ritual associated with Chanukah is lighting the candles on the chanukiah. Like many other faiths, the Jewish holiday of Chanukah brings light into the darkest time of the year.

• Did you know that the eight-day holiday of Chanukah falls anytime between the middle of November and the beginning of January? The date fluctuates because Chanukah is set according to the Jewish calendar, which is lunar-based. The holiday of Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Did you know that Chanukah is one of the least religiously significant holidays in the Jewish calendar? The principle holidays of the Jewish faith include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover and Shanuot. Due to its proximity to Christmas, however, Chanukah has taken on greater prominence in the last century. Did you know that giving gifts is not a tradition historically associated with Chanukah? Again, the proximity to Christmas has rubbed off on Chanukah celebrations - commercially speaking at least.

Page 20: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

Chanukah – Jewish winter celebration of lights

Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. There is a tradition to eat oily foods on Chanukah as a gastronomical reminder of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days? In North America and Europe, latkes - fried potato pancakes - are commonly enjoyed. Delicious recipes: Spicy Sweet Potato Latkes, Matzo Ball Soup, Vegetable and Feta Latkes.

Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. There is a tradition to eat oily foods on Chanukah as a gastronomical reminder of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days? In North America and Europe, latkes - fried potato pancakes - are commonly enjoyed. Delicious recipes: Spicy Sweet Potato Latkes, Matzo Ball Soup, Vegetable and Feta Latkes.

Page 21: © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria © WINTER CELEBRATIONS IN KARDZHALI REGION, Bulgaria “THE MEMORIES OF THE ELDERLY HELP US BUILD OUR.

The presentation is made by © Krug Art Movement (Krug Youth Center)

• 1)KRUG Youth Center for Cultural policy and education6600 Kardzhali blv. Trakia 3 - Art Gallery t.+359 361 28392; +359 889 494 336

• 2)European Cultural Youth House (Art House)6747 village of Duzhdovnitsa East Rhodopes mountain +359 888 222 540 (mobile)

• 3)KRUG Youth Literary magazine 1000 Sofia 161, A, Rakovski St t./f.+359 2 971 91 68 http://www.krug-bg.org http://www.rhiz.eu/institution-16115-en.html