The Bulgarian tradition will once again take over Yambol during the annual festival “Kukerlandia.” Groups of mummers, babugeri and survakari from all over Bulgaria will compete to win the prize for the best masks and the maximum approach of the traditional folk rituals. During the festival, there is also a competition for photographers.
“Kukerlandia” this year will run from 22nd to February 26, as the culmination of the festival is the last two days. The event will start on the 22nd with the carnival procession of mummers and masked. The beginning is from 05: 30 p.m. on the square in front of the municipality of Yambol. The first day will be recreated also the traditions of the holiday Sirni Zagovezni, which marks the beginning of the Christian fasting.
There will be jumping over fire, throwing of arrows and recreation of the ritual “hamkane” in which symbolically people eat sweets before the upcoming Easter fast, trying to bite from hanging, attached to the thread halva. The celebration continues with folklore program 18 hours a central alley in the park.
During the second day, you can explore the children’s exhibition “My Kukerlandia.” The winners will be awarded by 05: 30 p.m. in the community center “Consent”. At 06:00 p.m. in the “Bezisten” you can join the masked ball. On the 24th you can enjoy the children’s folklore program at 10:30 am in the park or to view a photo exhibition in the gallery “G. Papazov ” at 05:30 p.m.
The official opening of Kukerlandia is at 06:30 p.m. with a festive spectacle and fireworks in the park. On 25th you can see traditional mummers dance from 9:30 a.m. and to see the performances of the foreign groups from 10:00 a.m. From 12:00 on the second stage will perform the Bulgarian groups. In the next to Yambol village, Kabyle will recreate mummers holiday.
On the last day of the festival is the second part of the parade and the award ceremony. Over 50 are the groups that will compete in the festival. A tTraditional of “Kukerlandia” is the alley with giant masks that reach a height of 3 meters. In addition, during the festival, you will be able to buy traditional souvenirs, homemade wine, dairy and meat products.
