Ancient ritual "Bathing" to be recreated in Kula

On the night of 19-20 January - the celebration of Yordanovden (Epiphany) and Ivanovden (St. John's Day) in the Julian calendar - the northwestern town of Kula will host the traditional "Kapachi" ("Bathing") ritual. This is a unique event, with a history spanning more than a century.

"In the past there were 'sedyankas' - traditional Bulgarian social gatherings where young people gathered to work, talk, laugh and sing together, usually in the evening," Tsarevna Tsankova, secretary of the local Community Centre "Prosveta 1882", told BNR Radio Vidin.

"One day a group of boys decided to have a fun, improvised masquerade. They blackened their faces with charcoal from the hearth. And that is how the Kapachi tradition began. They chose a boy to play the 'bride'. He dressed like a girl and carried a copper bucket of water and a bunch of basil. The others were the bathers". She continues: "Later they painted their faces with burnt corks."

The festivities begin an hour before midnight with a presentation of the custom in the main square, accompanied by music, a blazing fire and the aroma of mulled wine to set the mood.

When the clock strikes midnight, the "bathers" begin their rounds. The "bride" will bathe those named Yordan, Jordanka, Ivan, Ivanka and all the newlyweds from the previous year.

This memorable event is organised by the Community Centre "Prosveta 1882" and the Municipality of Kula.