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Traditional male dance in the icy waters of Tundzha River to take place on Epiphany

published on 1/6/25 12:35 AM

Traditional male dance in Kalofer on Epiphany (archive)

Photo: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

This year, as always, hundreds of brave men from the town of Kalofer and the whole country will embark on January 6 - Epiphany - in a men's dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha River. It is believed that anyone who enters the cold water of Epiphany will be healthy throughout the year.

The ritual men's dance will begin at 4:30 a.m. with a solemn Divine Liturgy in the local church St. Archangel Michael. After that, everyone will head to the river in a procession, reports BNR correspondent Daniela Dobreva.

The throwing of the cross into the water is scheduled for 8 a.m. According to local custom, the savior of the cross gives it to the youngest child participating in the ritual. After that, the men will dance a traditional round dance in the cold waters of the river.

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Radio Bulgaria News Epiphany Kalofer Tundzha River Yordanovden

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