Holiday of the Balkan Mountains

The celebrations began on September 1st with the opening of an exhibition for local artisans. Wood carvings, books, metalwork, and woven tapestries and carpets were displayed in the exhibit hall of the municipality.

September 4th was the “Three Chuki” bike race, organized by Adventura Ltd. and the municipality.  The race is an annual event, with elite and children's categories. More information on the course and how to participate next year can be found here: Bike Race

 For me, the real celebrations began on Monday, September 5th, with the Banitsa Festival held in the town center. Despite super hot weather, tons of people showed up to try traditional foods from Chiprovtsi, surrounding villages, and Acenovo. The center was so full of people!

In addition to the various local cuisines, there was a table dedicated to Chiprovtsi-style banitsa, homemade jams, yogurt, and cheeses for sale, and an area for kids to learn about birds and make their own toy from Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB).

The Banitsa and food was followed by a children’s presentation and folk festival in the center. Visiting dancers and singers, decendants of Chiprovtsi’s pre-1688 uprising, performed to traditional Banat-Bulgarian, and Romanian songs. This was followed by a commemoration of the 410 anniversary of Peter Bogdan. Bogdan, a Catholic Bishop and important National Revival figure, is one of Chiprovtsi’s major historical heroes. In the evening, a concert by the “Bulgare” was held in the Cultural Center.

On Tuesday, I went with Jordanka and her family to celebrate the Festival of the Gushovski Monastery on the mountains. The carpets were displayed on top of the mountain like last year and the weather was gorgeous. 

First we lit candles at the stone crosses at the foot and top of the monastery hill. Then the Bishop from Vidin gave his blessings. 

 Next came the shkembe chorba, or tripe soup. We picniked at Jordanka's family's hizha nearby. 

After xoro dancing, we hiked back to town. 

September 6th is celebrated nationwide in Bulgaria as Unification Day. This article gives a good explanation of the holiday. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131825