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

Surva, Happy New Year and wishes for health and prosperity!

Photo: BGNES

Since unknown times Bulgarians have welcomed January 1 with the wishes of the survakari, who continue to visit homes of people on the first day of the New Year:

“Surva, a Happy New Year, a golden wheat-ear in the field, a red apple in the garden, large grapes on the vine, a purse full of coins... Good life and health during the whole year and beyond!”

Such blessings are common for the tradition of survakane, which is an ancient custom similar to those on Christmas, but it can also be attended by children aged 4-5 to 10-12 years. They carry decorated wood sticks - survachka and accompany the wishes with beating on the backs of everyone in the house. The children receive gifts that the hosts have prepared - dried fruit, cakes, nuts and some money.


A typical song performed is "Surva, Happy New Year". You can hear a rendition of the song with music by Todor Bakalov, performed by Andon Petrov.


"Survakari" is a song by sisters Iva Valentinova and Eva Valentinova. These beautiful and talented girls are not only wonderful singers of songs from the region of Graovo, but also popular radio hosts of folklore programs at the Bulgarian National Radio. Their song full of optimism and joy tells about the Surva custom, as well as about the modern dimensions of folklore traditions.


Let the good wishes that we send to you from the bottom of our hearts come true, dear friends of Radio Bulgaria!

Happy New Year! May it be healthy and happy, peaceful and fruitful! May the new beginning bring us new opportunities and the strength to remember and preserve our traditions!

English: Alexander Markov



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

Opera singer Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova from Prilep – a flying start in Sofia with Wagner's Elizabeth

This year's edition of the Wagner Festival at the Sofia Opera will open on June 26 with the premiere of Wagner's opera Tannhäuser. An exceptionally beautiful, charming and talented young girl from North Macedonia named Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova..

published on 6/24/25 5:05 PM

Successful Bulgarians in Los Angeles with a new musical initiative

"Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles" is a new organization for the presentation and promotion of Bulgarian classical music in a global context . It was founded by the successful violinist Blagomira Lipari and the famous Bulgarian composer Penka..

published on 6/22/25 2:35 PM

Bulgarian artist Atazar incorporates the kaval sound in his new song "Pushka Pukna"

Music producer Atanas Zaykov, known as Atazar (pronounced Atazar) is offering his fans his latest song "Pushka Pukna" . It features the singers Bisera and Lidiya, and once again sounds in the traditions of Bulgarian folklore. The folk instrument kaval..

published on 6/21/25 2:35 PM