The day of St. Tryphon is marked on 1 February old style (14 February new style), and in the folklore calendar it spans 3 days, known as Trifontsi – 1,2 and 3 February. Known in popular tradition as Trifon Zarezan (Trifon the pruner), it is a day celebrated most of all by vine growers, falconers, gardeners and inn-keepers. Some mark it on 1 February, according to the religious calendar, but most celebrate on 14 February – new style.
As every year, the cold cannot keep wine lovers away, and on the morning of 2 February they will head for the vineyards for the first pruning of the year, and, with a water blessing ritual, pray for the divine protection of the patron saint. As is the tradition, on Trifon Zarezan day, the young wine from last year’s grapes is drunk and poured onto the vines as a token of a bountiful year ahead. On this day no work is supposed to be done, and in towns and villages people would come together to dance the horo and drink wine.
Once again, on Trifon Zarzan day wineries across the country are throwing their doors open to numerous guests. The 14 wineries from the association of Danube Winemakers in the Western and Central part of the Danube Plain are preparing to welcome their guests with original lectures about the traditions and the specificity of the wine region of Bulgaria. Besides wine-tasting, some of the wine cellars are also offering different kinds of artistic endeavors – such as “painting with wine”, interest in which has been growing throughout the year.
The event also features a contest for best wine and rakia producer – in past years there have been more than 120 participants, including winemakers from Greece and North Macedonia. The highlight will be on Sunday when the vines will be ritually pruned in Baira locality, some 2 kilometers from Delchevo.
Compiled by Gergana Mancheva
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: BTA-archive
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