Bulgarians celebrate today Granny Marta’s day

On the first day of March Bulgarians celebrate the Day of Granny Marta – one of the best loved traditional occasions of millennial history.

On this day everyone gives Martenitsa to relatives and friends. It is a good health and good luck amulet in the form of a red and white thread or tassel. On this day the new farming season is said to begin. Martenitsas are worn either until March 9 – the Church day of the Holy 40 Martyrs; or until March 25 – Annunciation day. It can be taken off also when we first see a stork, a sparrow, a cuckoo or a blossoming tree.

Adapted from Bulgarian National Radio