Archaeologists send petition to Patriarch in support of fire dancing

The Bulgarian Archaeological Society 'Ivan Venedikov' issued a statement addressed to Patriarch Daniil, in response to his recent public call to end the centuries-old tradition of fire dancing, known as Nestinarstvo. "Mr. Patriarch, do not touch Nestinarstvo!" the scholars urge in a message reported by BNR’s Maria Fileva.

They strongly oppose any attempt to ban this ancient ritual, describing it as central to Bulgarian identity. They characterise the move as cultural fundamentalism, warning that such actions mark a dangerous first step towards the dehumanisation of the nation by erasing its rituals and historical memory.

"Nestinari dancing is not merely a folkloric element or ritual practice," the statement reads. 'It is a living bridge between the millennia-old traditions of the Thracians and Christian spirituality — adopted, enriched and preserved by the Bulgarian people.' This custom is not 'paganism', but a cultural phenomenon that has endured for centuries, carrying deep symbolism, reverence and spirituality. It fuses the ritual power of faith with the rhythm of the earth in honour of Saints Constantine and Helena, who are integral to the Christian pantheon”.

• The Sliven Metropolis is opposed to the Nestinarstvo tradition

Earlier this month, Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven publicly condemned Nestinarstvo and prohibited dancers from using icons during the fire-walking ritual.

‘The icon is a sacred object — a holy image. What does Nestinarstvo contribute? Does anyone become more spiritually elevated?” Patriarch Daniil commented on the ban, as quoted by BNT. 'The Church and faith have nothing to do with magic or images with supposed magical properties that allow a person to walk on fire.'