The Old Bulgarian Tradition - The Male Dance in Kalofer

The male dance in Kalofer is always played only on Epiphany (January Day) - January 6 in a new style. It is characteristic only for Kalofer and is nowhere else in Bulgaria. I recently read that in Panagyurishte and a nearby village they also want to do it, and the ritual takes it from Kalofer. During the years after 1989 the process of returning Bulgarian customs gradually followed. For them: http://barin.blog.bg/history/2015/08/15/bylgarskite-obichai-i-tradicii.1384063. Many customs were resumed because they were banned through the socialist regime and could not be celebrated. For example, old folk beliefs and traditions that are observed during church and people's feasts.

The mountain in Kalofer is unique, I have never heard of playing anywhere else even outside Bulgaria. In conversations with local residents and museum representatives, they have not been able to explain to me where this tradition began to enter the icy waters in the middle of winter. In my opinion the entry into the icy waters of Tundzha is considered as a hardening of the human organism. At first Kalofer is a Pannonian town, located at 603 meters above sea level. in the southern slopes of Stara Planina. From Kalofer, trails lead to the Kalofer Monastery, which is 5.5 km away. from the town, the eco-path "Byala Voda", the "Panitsite" Trail ", which is 5.5 km away. from the city.

The men's dance in Kalofer of Epiphany gathers more and more people every year. They come from the neighboring villages and towns. They enter the ice-cold waters of the river Tundja passing through the city, which leads to the center and the memorial complex in honor of Hristo Botev - the most famous man born in Kalofer. The most recent data in the water is over 200 men. For the youngest one, a prize is provided. There are regular participants who are not worried about bad weather and minuscule temperatures. Usually, as I've watched the horo reports, it was almost always very cold, often with snow.

The picture shows how people enter the icy waters embraced with flags in their hands and with bagpipes and drums. Gaidada is a major musical instrument in the Bulgarian folk art. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of men entering the horde in Tundja. It is important that the ritual is not distorted and changed. I noticed during this and the past few years that the event was widely reported by the press and the news was short. Only the one who has been present at some Epiphany in Kalofer can say what is the atmosphere and there is a Bulgarian spirit. I am very interested in explaining the great interest in trying to show to the world the solemn male horo.