Surva begins: 60 years of festival magic in Bulgaria's Pernik

A sense of genuine authenticity, of rites handed down from generation to generation since time immemorial — this is the impression of a visitor immersed in the compelling charm of the masquerade games performed across our lands in the heart of winter. They are generally known as Kukeri, yet the bizarre figures that emerge from the depths of Bulgarian folklore come in many forms. There are also Survakari, Babugeri, Dzhamali, and a host of other fearsome-looking beings.

The imagination poured into the masquerade costumes — crafted from animal skins, fur, horns, skulls, and all manner of natural materials — could rival even the creators of monsters in film and gaming. Yet the Kukeri remain unmistakably Bulgarian, a truth reflected in the sheer euphoria that sweeps through the mining town of Pernik, near Sofia, each January, when the Surva festival takes place.

Bulgaria’s largest and most spectacular masquerade festival, Surva draws thousands of bearers of the country’s mask-making tradition from every ethnographic region. They come for the thrill, for the celebration, and, not least, to display their authentic costumes, painstakingly handcrafted from materials gathered throughout the year.

This year, the clanging of Kukeri bells will resound through Pernik for longer than usual, as Surva marks its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1966, the festival initially brought together the masquerade traditions of the Pernik region, showcasing them to a wider audience. Over the decades, it has grown into a major event staged in the heart of the town.

The Surva festival has come a long way and is now among Bulgaria’s most popular and captivating events.

Organised by the Municipality of Pernik, Surva gained international festival status in 1985. A decade later, in 1995, Pernik joined the Federation of European Carnival Cities. Further recognition came on 26 June 2009, when Henry van der Kroon, then president of the Federation, declared Pernik the European Capital of Survakari and Kukeri Traditions during a ceremonial City Council session. In 2014, Pernik and the Surva festival were named among National Geographic’s top winter destinations worldwide.

Originally held biennially, the International Festival of Masquerade Games eventually became an annual event. Today, Pernik welcomes visitors from across Bulgaria and abroad on the last Saturday and Sunday of January.

This year, however, tradition is being broken. ‘Due to unprecedented interest, the festival has grown to the point that our town can no longer accommodate guests in just two or three days,’ said Stefan Krastev, Deputy Mayor of Pernik, in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. He announced that Surva will therefore be extended to nearly ten days, running from 16 to 25 January.

The official opening takes place on 16 January, with the first three days filled with colourful, noisy and authentic masquerade processions. The following five weekdays feature a diverse programme of performances, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, book presentations and more. However, the highlight remains the final weekend of January, on the 24th and 25th, when the loudest, most vibrant and most dedicated groups gather from across Bulgaria. International guests are also expected this year, with participants arriving from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa. As always, the processions will pass through the town centre, giving everyone the chance to interact with the costumed performers, join in the fun and take photographs with the masked characters.

"In fact, the Survakari games in the Pernik region began on 13 January. These games are part of the Surva tradition, which is listed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The people who perform these masquerade rituals in western Bulgaria are known as Survakari,’ explains Stefan Krastev. ‘At the 2026 International Festival of Masquerade Games Surva, participants from many countries will take part, and the opening ceremony on 16 January promises to be truly memorable.

The festival is indeed the most prestigious and largest winter masquerade event in Europe, and it is no coincidence that this year it is being held under the patronage of UNESCO."

Each year, the festival breaks its own record for participants — now 13,000 guests will take part in the parades, says Stefan Krastev:

“They come from every ethnographic region of the country, but this year 34 international groups will also participate. The westernmost participants hail from the United States and the island of Aruba, while numerous groups arrive from Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, with some travelling as far east as Indonesia and China. The spectacle promises to be extraordinary! The festival will welcome all participants with impeccable organisation and a rich programme of accompanying events.

“But Pernik has a lot more to offer beyond Surva. There’s the Underground Mining Museum, which is unique in the Balkans, the Mining Directorate, and the medieval fortress of Krakra. The Palace of Culture in the city centre is also worth seeing, as is the Miners’ Memorial. This year, the central square will be covered and heated for the festival, as sub-zero temperatures are expected and many children’s activities and concerts will take place there. In short, from 16 to 25 January, the whole of Bulgaria will beat to the rhythm of Surva,” concludes Deputy Mayor Stefan Krastev.

Editor: Elena Karkalanova

Posted in English by E. Radkova