The Lazarovden ceremonies, called Lazarouvane, have long lost their magic and ritual functions, but remains one of the best-loved Bulgarian traditions today.

The Saturday before Easter is a festival devoted to young girls, pastures, fields and woods.

Lazarovden was quite an event in the life of every young girl, for then she could demonstrate to the village community that she had already grown to be a "complete maiden".

A girl who did not participate in the lazarouvane could not have a loved one and was liable to be carried off by a dragon.

The girls would gather in groups of about ten at the house of the prettiest one and start from there with their songs to make a round of the village.

The songs sung on St Lazar's Day praise the beauty of the maiden and her lover, the industry of the farmer, the purity of maternal love and express wishes for happiness and prosperity.

After completing their round, the lazarki returned to the house they started from to share out among them the presents they had received. On the next day, Palm Sunday, they gathered again to go to the river and drop their willow wreaths in the stream. The wreath to be carried away the fastest would determine "the best girl", in whose home a humble feast would be given to the maidens.

On Lazarovden all those named Lazar, Lazarina celebrate their name day.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!