site.btaJune 26, 2009: Pernik Declared European Capital of Masquerade Tradition

The town of Pernik (Southwest Bulgaria) was declared European Capital of Masquerade Tradition on June 26, 2009. Pernik deserves such a title because of the Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games, which is the largest masquerade event in the Balkans and boasts a 57-year-long history. In 2015, the annual festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Following is a story in BTA's English-language Daily News:

Pernik Declared European Capital of Masquerade Tradition

Pernik, Western Bulgaria, June 26 (BTA) - The International President of the Federation of European Carnival Cities Henk Ferdinand van der Kroon declared Friday Pernik European Capital of Masquerade Tradition. Van der Kroon presented Mayor Rossitsa Yanakieva with a medal which will be handed down to every subsequent mayor of the municipality.

Pernik deserves such a title because of the International Festival of Masquerade Games, which has been held in January every even year since 1966. The festival acquired international status in 1985 and Pernik was accepted as a member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities in 1995.

As of 2009 the festival will be held every year.

The festival in Pernik, called "Surva" after the local custom of well-wishing for the new year, has been recognized as the most authoritative in Bulgaria and the Balkans event for traditional folk games and masquerade customs.