site.btaBessarabian Bulgarians Celebrate Christmas

For more than two centuries, Bessarabian Bulgarians have celebrated Christmas on January 6, trying to preserve the traditions of their ancestral homeland, despite the changes in the world around them, residents of the city of Taraclia told BTA. For them, Christmas is not only a religious holiday, but also a family celebration when everyone gathers in their family home.

On January 6, the evening of "Little Christmas" (Christmas Eve), the table is filled with festive dishes including boiled wheat for a good harvest, stuffed peppers with rice or beans, sarmi and honey, which symbolizes the sweetness of life. All these dishes also carry with them messages of health, longevity and happiness.

Particular attention is paid to the ritual bread, bozhichnik or bogovitsa, which is broken by the oldest person at the table and dedicated to the Virgin Mary or to the home. Customs related to food and family carry on faith and hope to generations of Bulgarians.

The the tradition of Bulgarian Christmas carolers (koledari) has not been lost. In Taraclia, young people, inspired by older generations, revive the rites and pass them on to future generations. Community centers and schools play an important role in preserving these traditions by organizing reenactments and performances that tell about the heart of Bulgarian culture. Today, through the Christmas caroling groups, these customs are not only preserved, but also spread among the younger generation, which with each passing year increasingly understands the importance of these holidays and the values ​​associated with them.

In Moldova, both dates, December 25 and January 7, are public holidays and official days off. Most people in the Taraclia region, where the population is predominantly Bulgarian, will celebrate Christmas in the old style, on January 6th.