Spring Festival in Bulgaria

1955 - The Kukeri festival in Bulgaria. : A fantastic harmony of rare colours and dancing rhythms, with strange music and unusual noises go to make up the traditional Kukeri carnival, in the village of Turia, near the town of Kasanlak, in the stars zagora district of Bulgaria, which attracts people from all parts of the country. The Kukeri are mummers whose dancing is one of the most ancient Bulgarian customs. It has remained from pagan times and still can be seen in early spring in some parts of Bulgaria. The Kukeri carnivals were devoted to the awakening spring and the chief maskers were considered bearers of richness and fertility, of joy and happiness. The festival begins in early morning. The living symbols of the good, of love for labour and life parade in the streets. With their huge masks and coloured clothes, and the constant sound of bells and cowbells, the Kukeri depict the struggle against evil, the chasing of evil ghosts in order to preserve fertility and the joy of the people, In the festival Kukleri from 3 to 60 years of age, took part, and for the first time several girls and women participated as Kukeri. Photo shows some of the spectators at the festival. In the front row are the oldest inhabitants of the village. (Credit Image: (c) Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com/Mary Evans)

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

19600104 Attracts Bearers Begins Bells Bulgarian Carnivals Chasing Considered Constant Depict Devoted Fantastic Fertility Ghosts Harmony Heathen Inhabitants Masks Mummers Noises Oldest Onlookers Pagan Participated Preserve Remained Rhythms Richness Turia Zagora

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