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

Citizens and guests of Kazanlak chase away evil spirits with the “Kladi” ritual

Photo: BTA

The “Kladi” ritual, dedicated to the Cheesefare Sunday, will take place for the 32nd consecutive year on the meadow in front of the “Kulata” ethnographic complex in Kazanlak, the organizers from the “Zhar 2002” Community Center announced.

Every year, the ritual brings together many residents and guests of the city, who attend the lighting of the large bonfire, around which mummers symbolically chase away evil spirits.

The “hamkane” ritual is also traditionally performed, in which children and the oldest member of the family participate. An elderly person spins a peeled egg or a piece of halva tied to a red thread and the children have to catch it with their mouth. The belief is that whoever wins will be healthy throughout the year.

The celebration continues with jumping over the ritual fire and ends with a horo dance.



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

The flavors of autumn at a culinary festival in Sofia

The cool autumn evenings give us a reason to immerse ourselves in the cosy atmosphere of restaurants in Sofia and try new flavours inspired by global culinary trends. Leading Italian travel platform praises Sofia in autumn..

published on 10/25/25 6:05 AM

We sleep an hour longer on October 26

At 04:00 Bulgarian time on October 26, 2025, we must turn our clocks back one hour. This means one more hour of sleep, but it does not eliminate the stress for the body as a result of the change in the biological schedule,..

published on 10/25/25 5:00 AM

Bulgarian school in Los Angeles hosts Parade of Books and Fairy Tale Characters

A celebration of children’s love of books and imagination will take place on 25 October in Los Angeles, organised by the Bulgarian School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” , according to the school’s Facebook page. The Parade of Books and Fairy Tale..

published on 10/24/25 5:44 PM