Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Measures against Covid-19 cannot stop Epiphany ice horo dance in Kalofer

Photo: BTA

In the town of Kalofer, the traditional men's horo dance in the Tundzha River on Epiphany was held once again despite the anti-epidemic measures. Led by a bagpiper and a drummer, men in traditional folk costumes went to the waters of the river early in the morning.

"The holiday is something of a symbol and relic for our town. This ritual is for health!" Mayor Rumen Stoyanov has told the Horizont program of the BNR. "I take responsibility and I can be fined," the mayor added. He is also a traditional participant in the ritual, but in 2021 he did not take part in the icy dance because of his official position.

The mayor said that he could not stop the ritual and the strong faith of the citizens of Kalofer and added that even the communist regime before 1989 had failed to break the tradition.

Because of the "male horo dance", the mayor of Kalofer Rumen Stoyanov has been fined with a penalty of 1,000 leva (511 euro) for non-compliance with the anti-epidemic measures currently in force in Bulgaria.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Pope Francis appeared yesterday wearing an omophorion from Bulgaria

On his last Easter, Pope Francis appeared before the faithful wearing an omophorion that he received as a gift during his visit to Bulgaria in 2019. Pope Francis remembered: Reactions from Bulgaria The word omophorion comes from the Greek word..

published on 4/21/25 4:19 PM

Pope Francis remembered: Reactions from Bulgaria

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness - a true friend of Bulgaria and a global symbol of peace, compassion and unity," Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov wrote on social media platform X in response to the news of the death of Pope Francis...

published on 4/21/25 1:53 PM
Премахване на незаконните постройки в столичния квартал

Citizens will show their support for Roma families from "Zaharna Fabrika" tonight

Citizens will tonight show their solidarity with the Roma families from the Zaharna Fabrika neighbourhood in Sofia who were left homeless after their homes were demolished on April 15.   At 19:00, they will gather at the site of the demolished houses and..

published on 4/21/25 11:57 AM