The Bulgarians are great traditionalists and stay faithful to many rituals and festivals dating back to ancient times. One of the oldest traditions is at Christmas when "sourvakari" call at houses wishing the occupants health and prosperity.
"Ladouvane" is a major ritual for young girls which is held on New Year's or Midsummer's Days. Shrovetide and Kouker's (Mummers')Masquerade Games mark the start of Spring and date back to the Dionysian festivals of the Thracians. They are held every other year in the town of Pernik where dancers gather from all over Bulgaria, performing kouker folk dances and observing the old custom of the sourvakars for fertility. "Lazarouvane" is an Orthodox festival dedicated to love and the family: "Trifon Zarezan" (Vinegrower's Day) and "St. George's Day" are linked with health and abundant crops.
One of the most charming festivals is "Martenitsas" on 1st March when Bulgarians receive small figures made of white and red threads symbolising the awakening of Spring, health and happiness.
During late May and early June the rose-picking season starts in the Valley of Roses which is situated between between the Balkan and Sredna Gora Mountains. It starts at dawn before the rose fragrance has disappeared, which is not easy to achieve as the Bulgarian oleaginous rose yields 70% of the world's attar of roses scent used by perfumiers. This heralds the start of the Festival of Roses which is celebrated with carnivals, processions, folk songs and dances in Karlovo and Kazanluk on the first Sunday in June.
