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

Knitting enthusiasts unite in a community to preserve the traditional craft

The making of knitted products is a traditional craft that deserves a revival and a new life, believes Alexandrina Pandurska, known for her numerous initiatives to popularize cultural and historical places in the Blagoevgrad region. According to her..

published on 12/22/24 9:05 AM

Residents of village of Zmeyovo celebrate pelin wine whose recipe they jealously guard

The village of Zmeyovo near the town of Stara Zagora is celebrating today, December 21, its traditional Festival of Pelin Wine. According to an old Bulgarian custom, guests will be welcomed with bread and salt on the square in front of the..

published on 12/21/24 9:25 AM

Christmas tales made of glass, or how a forgotten tradition is revived

Each piece evokes warmth and nostalgia because each is handmade and unique. The silvery reflections on the glass baubles take us back to childhood, when winters were harsh and snow-white and Christmas decorations were made of wafer-thin glass . Nowadays,..

published on 12/21/24 8:10 AM