Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Upsurge of visitors on Ascension Day in the village of Bov

The Feasts of Bov begin on Spasovden

Photo: bov.bg

On Spasovden (Ascension)the village of Bov awaits for guests from near and far!

For the picturesque and ancient mountain village of Bov, perched above the Iskar Gorge, today's feast - Ascension Day, also popular in Bulgaria as Spasovden, brings double joy.

Along with the Christian feast, its inhabitants celebrate the festival of the village. There is a service and blessing with holy water, on the occasion of the feast of the church "Holy Ascension".

From that day onwards start the celebrations dedicated to the two villages of Bov and Gara Bov (Bov Station). Since 2006, in the week from Ascension to Pentecost, the two villages have been symbolically bridging past and present in the "Feasts of Bov". 

Between the two major Christian feasts, the Bovs come alive to welcome relatives and guests from all over the surrounding area.

Today, on the occasion of Spasovden, the local women have prepared a kurban offering (feastive lamb soup) from early dawn, and despite it being a working day, the usually depopulated village is filled with joyful chatter.

More about the history and traditions of the village with a centuries-old history, which today celebrates 816 years, can be found in Radio Bulgaria's collection:


Compiled by: Darina Grigorova

Photos: bov.bg



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Photo: Scientific Society of Bulgarians in the Republic of Moldova

Bulgarians in Moldova pay tribute to the feat of Hristo Botev and the heroes of Bulgaria

Did you know that in the Moldovan capital Chisinau there is a street named after Hristo Botev? Located about three kilometers from the city center, there stands an impressive monument to the Bulgarian poet, revolutionary and public figure, who died in..

published on 6/1/24 2:10 PM

The tradition of sending Easter cards in Bulgaria dates back to the Liberation

When we have a special occasion where we meet relatives or friends, as a sign of respect and as a memory, we usually present them with a gift, complete with a beautiful card. In the past, the card received was kept as a cherished memory and even passed..

published on 5/4/24 4:35 AM

The egg - a symbol of fertility and new life in Bulgarian folklore

Holy Thursday is one of the two days in the Holy Week when we dye eggs for Easter. Tradition dictates that the oldest woman in the family takes on this important task, and the first egg is always dyed red.  The Red Egg – symbol of the..

published on 5/2/24 4:35 AM