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Carol singers in Bulgaria's Yambоl not only sing blessings, but also dance the buenek

Photo: Daniela Kostova, BNR correspondent in Yambol

In Yambol, a large Christmas carolling festival is traditionally organized on December 25, in which dozens of caroling groups (koledari) sing and dance.

Only in Yambol the carollers not only sing and bless, but also dance.
The Yambol Christmas buenek dance was born more than a century ago in the oldest district of the town, Kargon. At that time, there were cavalry troops in the Yambol garrison. The caroling boys liked their clothes and begin to imitate them, says ethnographer Dinka Angelova:
"The Yambol carollers, while they were going from house to house on the evening of Christmas Eve before Christmas, began to stamp their feet - firstly to warm themselves and secondly so that the young maidens could hear that their chosen ones would visit their house."

The spurred boots, the military breeches and the saber carried by the leader of the carollers, the exuberant Christmas dancing and carolling can be seen and heard on today's festive day in Yambol.

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Radio Bulgaria Folklore    carollers carol singers koledari Yambol

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