On the eve of the first Sunday before Lent, men carrying traditional multi-coloured masks with beads, ribbons and woolen tassels, danced in the village of Kamen, near the town of Sliven, to expel evil spirits and herald the advent of spring.

The so-called Kukeri were part of the traveling festival "Masquerade Games 2006".

"Kukeri" is a important masked ritual, carried forward from the Thracians. The participants in this ritual are male only, dressed in sheepskin garments and wearing scary masks and chanove (copper bells) on their belts, dancing and singing with the intention to scare away the evil spirits or ghosts which people believed came back to the living ones in winter.

The Kukeri clothing is specially prepared for the feast. That is why every year it is different and more beautiful.

The Kukeri hoods and masks are magnificent, ornate and variegated works of applied art. This custom mixes theatre, lyric, music, dance and art. It began centuries ago and is connected with the farm and the family.

The ritual is a mixture between Christian and pagan traditions and symbols.

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