Christmas is the most beloved holiday in Bulgaria.

In Bulgarian language Christmas is Koleda

(in Cyrillic alphabet – Коледа) or Rozhdestvo Hristovo

(The birth of Christ)

Christmas tree is one of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas and decorating an evergreen conifer. Before Christmas, the tree is cut, brings home and decorated with colored lights, ornaments and candy.

Christmas Eve is one of the most important family holidays.People meet together around a

dinner table.

Christmas Eve dinnerTradition dictates that there are only meatless meals on the table. They have to be 7, 9 or 11.

Most often these are vegetables, fruits, beans, stuffed peppers with beans or rice, cooked dried fruits, nuts.

Christmas Eve dinnerOn the table there is necessarily a ritual bread.

The table is not cleaned up all night.

Christmas EveAt the fireplaces people put a big log that burns all night. It is believed that the light and warmth of the Yule log symbolizes the birth of the new sun and the appearance of the Savior - Jesus Christ.

Christmas Eve

If the Yule log burn, the family can expect better being during next year.

Christmas Eve The night until 24:00 is quiet and peaceful. People expect the birth of

Christ.

Christmas Eve

At midnight begins the custom koleduvane. Koledars are single men and younger guys. They have a leader who is older and is not a bachelor. Koleduvane time is strictly defined by the tradition - from midnight to dawn on Christmas. Koledars go around homes and sing Christmas songs with wishes for health, happiness, rich harvest, and hosts give them a ritual bread.

Christmas

It is time for gifts.

ChristmasIn Bulgaria, the gifts brought by the good old man Grandfather Christmas ( Grangfather Koleda).

In Cyrillic alphabet it is Дядо Коледа.

Merry Christmas!

`Честита Коледа!Chestita Koleda!