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

Ribnovo chooses the most beautiful "gelina" bride

Photo: blagoevgrad.egov.bg

On the eve of the New Year, the most beautiful "gelina" bride of the last 4 years is chosen in the Bulgarian-Mohammedan village of Ribnovo, in south-west Bulgaria. 

"Gelina" is the name given to brides in the region. It is a unique tradition, where the brides are specially dressed and their faces are painted and decorated for the wedding. 
The "Mrs Gelina 2024" contest is being held for the first time and the winners will be announced tonight, reports BNT. 

"Our parents always told us, 'When you grow up, you will be a Gelina', and that was always our dream. We don't dream of wedding dresses, we dream of being gelinas," said Kadrie Kiselova of the Creative Community Foundation, the organiser of the competition. 

It is the wish of the people of Ribnovo that this wedding custom, which is already part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, will become world famous, that more people will know about it.



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

Balkan developments

Serbian citizens trust Russia and China more than the EU : survey 59% of Serbian citizens trust Russia, 57% of respondents trust China and 38% have a positive view of the European Union, reads data of a Special Eurobarometer survey..

published on 9/5/25 11:53 AM

Zumba instructors from around the world are descending on Balchik for the 'Alegria' festival

Balchik is hosting the 13th edition of the ‘Alegria’ Zumba Festival, with instructors attending from the United States, Spain, Lebanon, and Hong Kong, BTA reports. The event will run from 5 to 8 September. This year's programme promises a variety..

published on 9/5/25 8:15 AM
Hristo Marinov

"Living Human Treasures" and 50 artisans from three continents visit Etar Museum

The Regional Open-Air Ethnographic Museum "Etar" was established as a center for the study of the traditional culture of the Balkan Range people. Today, this unique site near Gabrovo serves as a place where customs and traditions from the Bulgarian..

published on 9/4/25 12:13 PM