Burgas revives authentic winter ritual “Silivriya”

The winter ritual Silivriya will be presented in Burgas for the first time on January 31 (Saturday). The event will be hosted by the Ethnographic Museum Burgas and begins at 11:00 a.m.

At the heart of the celebration will be the newly formed amateur group for authentic folklore “Erkechko Nasledstvo” (Erkech Heritage) from the Pomorie village of Kozichino, historically known as Erkech.

The Silivriya ritual is dedicated to working livestock, especially oxen. It is a natural continuation of Christmas rituals in Erkech and was practiced in its authentic form until the second half of the 20th century. According to tradition, the carollers (koladnitsi), divided into groups, clean the animals’ pens to the sound of bagpipes. Visitors to the museum will also witness a reenactment of the ritual horo chain dance for the celebration.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov