Stara Zagora Mineral Baths celebrate the sun, herbs and water

The spa resort of Stara Zagora Mineral Baths will host its traditional Festival of the Sun, Herbs and Water on the eve of Midsummer Day (Enyovden) for the 18th year running, the local mayor's office said.

At sunrise, women will head into the meadows to gather 77 and a half medicinal herbs. They will then weave them into a wreath for health and brew a special herbal tea.

The festivities will feature folk songs and dances with popular folk singer Stefan Nedyalkov and the Stara Zagora Municipality Folk Dance Club. The programme also includes a "Herb Queen" contest, an exhibition, a workshop under the Chekanka project, a festive horo dance and a table of traditional dishes.

According to Bulgarian folk beliefs associated with Enyovden, herbs gathered before sunrise possess their greatest healing power. Tradition calls for collecting 77 and a half herbs – one for every known illness and half a herb for the disease without a name.

Editor: Diana Tsenova