This Friday, the 28th of February, some of the volunteers of the “Mutual Aid 2” project, from the youth organization Youth Development Center Mutual Aid, visited the elderly house number 3 in Kazanlak, as they use to do. But this time they had the chance to meet “Baba Marta”. Taking the form of an old woman, she appeared in the house and gave to the elderly people and to the volunteers some “martenitsas” to celebrate together the beginning of the spring. 

For those who don’t have heard yet about this celebration, the 1st of March Bulgaria celebrates the arrival of good weather with these “martenitsas”, that are like bracelets or dolls made with white and red thread. These colors symbolize purity and passion. These gifts are given by “Baba Marta”, that means Grandma March and is the representation of the month, according to the Bulgaria collective memory. For Bulgarians, she’s a charming old lady who chases away the cold and grumpy February.

Nowadays, during the month of February, Bulgarian families or kids at the school usually make these “martenitsas” and give them to their loved ones, wishing them good health, as happened at the elderly house. 

After the visit of “Baba Marta”, the volunteers had the time to speak with the elderly people about this tradition and, to finish the event, they could dance with them the Bulgarian folklore music. 

Marta Valverde

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