Vine-growers and wine makers in Bulgaria celebrated February 1, the day of their patron Trifon Zarezan, with a protest in front of the Parliament. They wanted cut rakiya excise duty. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Bulgarian wine makers will celebrate the professional holiday, Trifon Zarezan, with protests against the heavy excise duty on rakiya.
On February 1 Bulgarian vine-growers and wine-makers have marked the holiday since 1962.
The festival brings a cunning smile to the faces of many Bulgarians as it is usually honored with a lot of toasts. Those who love wine in Bulgaria regard St Trifon's Day as a very special occasion to celebrate life.
When the Gregorian Calendar was officially introduced by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in 1968, the church services moved to February 1, but the Day of Vine and Wine is still being marked on February 14.
According to old traditions, the culmination is the moment of choosing the "king of the vines" - usually a diligent vine-grower, who is thus said to sweep all good luck.