Just wondered what the Forum members are planning to do this Christmas, stay or go away?

Here is a little about the Bulgarian Christmas traditions

Bulgarian Christmas traditions involve fasting, the singing of carols, special foods like kolak, as well as other practices historically a part of the holiday celebration. Bulgarian Christmas traditions closely follow what has been historically dictated by the Eastern Orthodox Church for proper religious observances. Fasting during Advent, as well as a symbolic Christmas Eve meal are two examples of how the Orthodox religion and the Christmas holiday are intertwined in Bulgaria during the winter season. Historically, fasting during the 40 days of Advent entailed abstaining from all animal products: meat, cheese, yoghurt, milk, and eggs. Times have changed enough that Bulgarians may substitute abstaining from animal products to more personal fasts from other activities they enjoy. Fasting ends on Christmas day, where, after an essentially vegan Christmas Eve meal, meat returns to the table (or people resume normal daily practices).
In addition, a common belief in Bulgaria is that Mary bore Christ on Christmas Eve, but only announced the birth the following day, on Christmas (which is celebrated December 25th). Folk tradition follows this belief – new mothers announce the birth of a new child to the world the day following the birth.
Christmas in Bulgaria is called Koleda. Koleduvane is an annual ritual wherein koledari (or young men of a village form a sort of Christmas committee) spread Christmas cheer around the village by dressing in costumes and singing songs. This tradition may be still practised to some extent in villages, although it is more difficult to reproduce in large cities. Regional Christmas traditions in Bulgaria vary slightly, but in some parts of Bulgaria, a piece of silver is inserted into a loaf of bread. This may also be done with a kolak, or ring-shaped cake, that is an almost essential part of the Christmas season. Good fortune is said to come to the person who finds the piece of silver. Other traditions are similar to those found in other parts of Eastern Europe, such as in the Baltic nations. A Yule log is sometimes lit, futures are told, and all work ceases on Christmas Eve after the proper preparations have been made.

Very interesting read nu2bg

Here is some of the festivities here from Yambol on Christmas day in 2007

I'm staying here. Thanks for information nu2bg. It's soo interesting but I wonder how much of this is still practised today? and how one could participate?
And dave thanks for the video's they are brilliant and it says so much about Bulgarian life and on Christmas day too .

Anyone had any experience? of Christmas with the neighbours

Nu2bg Also to davshaz for the video film very interesting and look like a great time can be had by all. So I would say stay and enjoy ::

Oddy

Thanks davshaz great video's . As for me |I'll be staying and celebrating our Christmas with the local people and trying to blend in here well at least I'm going to try that . I will be having some friends over on boxing day and I think that is likely to be a traditional English Christmas but I may try and add a little Bulgarian influence to it?

we are here for christmas

the first christmas, we had only been in bulgaria for 3 weeks, knew nobody. our bulgarian neighbour came round christmas eve, speaks no english and said otreh. i said i think we may have been invited to their home, but im not sure. .
sure enough, the neighbour came for us and off we went next door. such polite people, we were invited to sit down at the neatly laid table. we had a seven course meal with rakia how lovely. no talking, just smiles and laughter.

we thought, maybe time to leave when the family arrived, but no, they insisted we stay. we had to go through the whole seven courses again [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

what lovely people and what a lovely experience to share their christmas.

I think we will definitely be spending Christmas here and I'm hoping to get an invite from the neighbors from what I've read it sounds as though it will be a great experience just hope we don't have to eat 14 courses like starlite

Looking forward to our 5th Christmas here - The first one in 2007 was a bit weird, it was always a big family occasion back in England, then there was just us...on our own. Plus we had only just managed to move into our house at the beginning of December (from the caravan!) so everything was a bit up in the air.

My mum and brother now usually come over to Bulgaria to spend the holidays with us, but this year we will be here, on our own, I will do a proper English Christmas dinner - and probably pop round to see some Bulgarian friends later - It will be a bit more relaxing than the usual house full, I will let others do the catering.

On the 27th we always go to "
Stoyan and Baba Vulca's"
(Our adoptive Bulgarian family) house for his name day celebrations. This for me is the best day - a great family atmosphere in excess of 30 people round the table - a proper Bulgarian doo. :Party2:

We will definitely be staying here in our village. It will be quiet with just the two of us but we will have a roast with Christmas pud and cake. After 7 years and attending several parties I find its a bit of a strain struggling with the language and being in an etirely different culture wondering if I am doing and saying the right thing. Must be my age because I used to love it all including a couple of neighbours' parties. I guess its an age thing because all I seem to need now is peace and quiet. Or perhaps I am so happy in our new home that I don't want to go out. Still love Bulgaria and village life and my other half says all my ladies are asking after me and if I am alright so I suppose I should make at least one appearance. Hope everyone on the forum will enjoy their Bulgarian Christmas and if you are staying, you won't be at the mercy of the weather for travelling which can be a big worry if you are going back to Blighty.

oldun wrote:

We will definitely be staying here in our village. It will be quiet with just the two of us but we will have a roast with Christmas pud and cake. After 7 years and attending several parties I find its a bit of a strain struggling with the language and being in an etirely different culture wondering if I am doing and saying the right thing. Must be my age because I used to love it all including a couple of neighbours' parties. I guess its an age thing because all I seem to need now is peace and quiet. Or perhaps I am so happy in our new home that I don't want to go out. Still love Bulgaria and village life and my other half says all my ladies are asking after me and if I am alright so I suppose I should make at least one appearance. Hope everyone on the forum will enjoy their Bulgarian Christmas and if you are staying, you won't be at the mercy of the weather for travelling which can be a big worry if you are going back to Blighty.

Ok Oldun forget the quire Christmas we are coming to yours

Oddy