St. Tryphon the Winemakers‘ Patron Is Celebrated across Bulgaria with Wine and Music

Ritual vine-cutting in the eastern Bulgarian village of Balgarovo, February 14, 1953 (BTA archive by Georgi Vikentiev)

Sofia,

14.02.2024 16:56

(BTA)

The feast day of St. Tryphon was celebrated across Bulgaria on Wednesday with traditional pruning of the vineyards and tonnes of free wine and music. According to custom, farmers go out in the vineyards, cut a few vine twigs and pour wine on the vine roots for a plentiful harvest.

The Day of the Winemaker has been marked since 1962 on the day of Tryphon of Campsada. The ritual of pruning is observed with a hope for a fruitful year, a good harvest and full barrels. The pruned vine twigs are used to decorate the barrels and men's shoulders.

President Rumen Radev joined the celebrations in the northwestern villages of Pokrayna. His wife Desislava Radeva accompanied him.

As he visited a vineyard for the traditional vine-pruning, he spoke about the deplorable record of northwestern Bulgaria as the poorest EU region. “This part of the country is rich with history, traditions, a key geographic location, fertile land and hard-working people, and it is up to us all to make sure this potential is capitalized on,” said the President.

Vice President Iliyana Iotova was in Suhindol, Southwestern Bulgaria.

There were celebrations, singing and dancing, exhibitions and competitions for home-made wine - and general marrymaking across the country. Local leaders grabbed the opportunity to call for togetherness and celebration of traditions.

/NF/