site.btaBTA's Building Lit Up in Red and White to Welcome Spring

The building of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) was lit up in red and white - the colours of martenitsas - on Friday night. Wearing and presenting martenitsas on March 1 is one of the most enduring Bulgarian rites of spring. Bulgarians exchange these good luck charms, wishing each other "Chestita Baba Marta" (the equivalent to "Happy Spring").

According to folk belief, the colour red carries the power of the sun and symbolizes vitality, health and love, while white represents purity, innocence and joy.

The martenitsa is worn on the clothing above one's hearth, round the neck (of people and pets), or round the left wrist, or is tied round the horns of cattle or round the branches of fruit trees. It has to stay there until March 9 (Forty Holy Martyrs Day) or March 25 (Annunciation) or until a swallow or a stork returning from migration is first seen, after which it is hung on a branch in blossom or hidden under a rock to welcome spring and to represent the hope that the evil spirits will go to sleep.

Acting on a joint application by Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (now North Macedonia), UNESCO inscribed the martenitsa spring tradition on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2017. 

BTA's lights

BTA's façade has been thoroughly cleaned up, with its coloured elements repainted, additional improvements made, and new facilities built with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. All air conditioning units have been removed from the façade.

A new three-dimensional illuminated logo was installed in place of the old lettering, and the old clock was restored. Exterior façade lighting with various scenarios has been installed, enhancing not only the building's visual appeal but also making the surrounding area more attractive.