site.btaTraditional Martenitsas Donated to Edirne Residents, Guests at Bulgarian Consulate General's Initiative

Edirne's central Saraclar Caddesi street was filled with white and red martenitsas on Saturday. The good luck charms that Bulgarians traditionally exchange on March 1 were donated to the residents and guests of the Turkish city on the initiative of the Consulate General of Bulgaria there, the consular office told BTA.

Bulgarian Consul General in Istanbul Radoslava Kafedjiyska, dressed in national Bulgarian costume, was at the head of the group that presented the martenitsas. "The martenitsa is a very old tradition, carried over from the Thracian era to our days. This tradition, which marks the beginning of spring, exists not only in Bulgaria, but also in North Macedonia, Moldova, and Romania. By wearing a martenitsa we wish each other health, happiness and prosperity. The white colour symbolizes good luck and prosperity, and the red one health. I wish all residents of Edirne and all our neighbours health and happiness," she said.

The event was attended by Deputy Mayor of Edirne Ertugrul Tanrikulu, as well as many locals and guests from Bulgaria and Greece. 

The picturesque event took place for the first time in Edirne and aroused great interest among the residents, many of whom have roots in Bulgaria.