Several hundred authentic handmade martenitsas in Bansko will be distributed in Europe and Bulgaria together with a story about the tradition at the initiative of Sofia Regional Center, UNESCO. It is one of the seven international centres in the world engaged in the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The campaign aims to popularize the tradition and tell some of the lesser-known facts around the holiday.
The custom to bind martenitsas for health on March 1 is part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, registered in UNESCO. The tradition is inscribed on behalf of the four countries on the planet who practice traditionally today – Bulgaria, Northern Macedonia, Moldova and Romania.
On their way from Bansko to Paris, the martenitsas will be accompanied by cards, telling about the main facts around the holiday, as well as a greeting in the four languages. They will reach their recipients with the assistance of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Bulgaria in Paris, France and the Bulgarian Embassy in the country. Author of the martenitsas is Maria Kushleva, a native of Bansko.
