Sunday, December 28, 2014

Surva surva year! Happy new year!

     With the approaching of the New Year's Eve I started to think of all the things that I used to do in this period of the year when I was a child. Here is one that I really like.

     Have you heard of "survakane"? It is an old Bulgarian custom, still preserved today. It is taking place on 1st of January or as we call this day of the year - "Vasilov den".

     The ritual consists in rhythmically tapping someone's back with specially prepared for this purpose "survachka" - a decorated cornel twig. In return "survakaria"- the person performing the ritual, who usually is a young boy between 8 and 15 years-old, is receiving traditional gifts like bread, wine, dried fruits, nuts, bacon, etc. While performing the ritual there are also magical words that the "survakaryat" have to say - wishes for happiness, health, fruitful year and wealth.

  To make "survachka" you simply need a cornel twig. You can find it in almost every Bulgarian local market. Then decorate it with woolen threads, popcorns, dried fruits, small buns, dried peppers etc. And here is your own survachka!





Thursday, December 18, 2014

Christmas ArTBoX 2014 - Are you ready for Christmas?


Are you ready for Christmas? 

If  you still haven't found Christmas presents for your friend and you are still looking for ideas.. and if you happen to be in Sofia this weekend... you are more than welcome to visit this year's Christmas ArtBox bazaar. 

Time and place:

20 December 2014 from 11:00 to 20:00 ch.- Language school Iberica (gr. Sofia,. "Bratya Miladinovi" 10)
21 December 2014 from 12:00 to 20:00. - Art Club Sofia (gr. Sofia, ul. "Tsar Ivan Asen II" 6)

Here are some of the many surprises waiting for you! You can find more information on the Christmas ArTBoX 2014 facebook page.


On our workshop, which will take place on 20 December between 11:30 and 12:30 we will show you how to make a beautiful snow globe from recycle jars! 


     I would like to say thank you to my sister Neli Tsonova, for the fantastic photos and for her help! She is not only a photographer but she is also an artist. 

     Here are some of her art pieces that you can see as well on the Christmas ArtBox this weekend:







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