On January 6, traditionally in Kalofer, the local men will once again dance the traditional ice male dance horo in the frozen waters of the Tundja River. The ritual will take place from 7 am to 8 am, and people who want to see the ritual close should find their place of observers around 6 am. The ritual dates back to the Renaissance and has been running for nearly 100 years.

The locals also traditionally compete for the cross of God, which according to custom is thrown into the waters of Epiphany, and whoever takes and pulls it out of the icy waters of Tundzha river will be healthy and happy throughout the year. Today, the local men enter the river with the song “Loved The Vassilka”. It has been performed for the last 30 years, and before that the men entered for the traditional horo in Tundzha with other songs on the mouth.

This year, private guards will keep the audience in order not to hurt the traditional ritual that is applying for recognition by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the world. For this purpose, the ritual will be monitored by the organization’s emissaries. This is why guests will be able to join the ice horo after the cross catching. Last year, over 6,000 people watched the ritual.