site.btaBulgarians in Romanian Village Celebrate Winemakers and Vine-growers Day

The feast day of St Tryphon, patron saint of winemakers and vine-growers, was celebrated with a vine-pruning ritual by Bulgarians in the village of Izvoarele, in Romania's Teleorman County, on the Danube River across from Bulgaria. The event was organized by the Bulgarian Sources Association (ABI), the Izvoarele Mayor's Office and the Bulgarian Union of Banat-Romania with the support of Gheorghe Nacov, who represents the Bulgarian minority in the Romanian Parliament.

The festival started with the preparation of traditional food, including roasted chicken, sausages, bread decorated with grape designs, and red wine, ABI co-founder Mihail Lecu told BTA.

A religious service was held in the local church. Kiril Sinev, representative of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria in Romania, and two local priests officiated at the service.

The vine-pruning ritual started with a prayer to ward off disease, during which grapevines were sprinkled with wine. The people had a festive meal. By tradition, it was an all-men ceremony, Lecu said.

Guests from other Romanian villages and from Bulgaria joined the event. Bulgarian Ambassador to Romania Radko Vlaikov and Gheorghe Nacov, who were special guests, received vine wreaths.

The celebration continued in the House of Culture in Izvoarele, which proved too small to take all those who wished to attend. Old photos of local residents and snapshots of the fests of St Tryphon and St Lazarus were arrayed on the walls.

Several hours of Bulgarian music and dance followed, with horo chain dances and mummers' performances among the highlights. Kids from the Bulgarian Sunday School in Izvoarele gave a thematic song and dance show. The festive mood received a boost from the bands Sabin Music and Gica-Trica, and violinist Mihai Sfetcu. Zenovia Mandiuc from Voluntari sang a few Bulgarian songs, although she is not Bulgarian.

The celebration coincided with the second anniversary of ABI's establishment.