As Turkish and Egyptian volunteers taking part in the ESC programme, we had the opportunity to decorate the municipality office in Srednogorovo for Christmas. What started as a small and simple activity quickly turned into a meaningful moment of connection, creativity and shared joy. Contributing to a public space reminded us that even small actions can create warmth and bring people together, especially during the holiday season.
Working together, sharing ideas and laughing along the way made us feel truly involved in the local community. As volunteers in a foreign country, being able to add a festive touch to a place used by many local people gave us a strong sense of belonging.
As Christmas approaches, the city’s main squares fill with festive decorations, and everything begins to sparkle. In Bulgaria, Christmas markets usually start to appear around the second week of December, creating lively meeting points for locals and visitors. These markets offer a mix of traditional food, warm drinks and handmade items, adding to the holiday atmosphere. Experiencing the fireworks in Kazanlak and seeing the large New Year’s tree were especially memorable moments for us, as they allowed us to feel part of the local celebrations and seasonal traditions.
During this time, we also learned more about Bulgarian holiday traditions, which helped us better understand the local culture. In Bulgaria, Christmas Eve (24 December) is traditionally celebrated with a meat-free dinner, symbolizing humility and togetherness. Families gather around the table, sharing simple but meaningful dishes. One of the most well-known traditions is Banitsa, a pastry often prepared with small fortunes inside, bringing wishes of health, luck and happiness for the coming year.
Another important tradition is Koledari, when groups of young men go from house to house singing Christmas carols and wishing people health and prosperity. During the New Year period, children often practice Survakane, gently tapping adults with decorated branches called survaknitsa while offering blessings for a healthy and successful year. These customs emphasize family, community bonds and positive intentions for the future.
Combining our decorating activity with learning about Bulgarian Christmas and New Year traditions made this experience more meaningful. Through volunteering, we not only contributed to the festive atmosphere of Srednogorovo’s municipality office, but also felt more connected to the local community and everyday life in Bulgaria.