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

Residents of Karaisen celebrate Ivanovden with authentic ritual for chasing away evil

4
Photo: Zdravka Maslyankova, BNR correspondent

With an authentic ritual that has no analogue in Bulgaria, the residents of the village of Karaisen, Northern Bulgaria, celebrate St. John's Day (Ivanovden in Bulgarian). The holiday is called "Ivanovi Vlachugi" (dragging, pulling on Saint John's Day) and has been passed down since time immemorial, and today it is kept by the local village residents, reports BNR correspondent in Veliko Tarnovo Zdravka Maslyankova. 

The name of the ritual comes from the pulling to the water fountain of persons with the name Ivan, maidens and bachelors, as well as all young people who have become families in the previous year. In Karaisen, people believe that "Ivanovi vlachugi" cleanse bad energy and drive away evil, bring health and prosperity to the entire village.

According to museologist Diana Miteva, this tradition comes from the conversion of the Bulgarians to Christianity, which began in 864, because when people were baptized, they were dragged, as it was a forced process. 

The ritual is marked every year. In the past, it was very popular in the entire Veliko Tarnovo region.



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.

Gallery

More from category

Wine Fiesta showcases local varieties in Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is hosting the Urban Wine Fest, organised by the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals. "October is the month of Bulgarian wine and the richness of our local grape varieties," said Daniel Dragoshinov, a member of the association, as..

published on 10/18/25 8:30 AM
Hungary, 1930s

Bulgarians in Hungary with double celebration – Day of Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship and UNESCO recognition for gardening

October 17, 2025 will go down in history as the date on which the Minister of Culture of Hungary presented the document with which the Tradition of Bulgarian Gardening in Hungary officially entered the UNESCO National Register of..

published on 10/17/25 4:00 PM
Red Wall Biosphere Reserve

The spirit of the Red Wall Biosphere Park comes to life at a festival in Asenovgrad

The center of Bulgaria's town of Asenovgrad is today turning into a colorful scene of flavors, aromas and traditions, in which the spirit of the Red Wall Biosphere Park comes to life , reports BNR's Radio Plovdiv. At the “Festival of Crafts and..

published on 10/17/25 6:10 AM