The Most Famous Festuval in Bulgaria: Kukeri Festival

In this article, I’m going to explore the most famous festival in Bulgaria, the Kukeri Festival. Held in the town of Pernik, about 1 hour from the capital, Sofia, this festival attracts thousands of people from all around the world who come with the intention of immersing themselves in a Balkan tradition that dates back thousands of years.

This festival consists of a series of parades where the so-called Kukeri groups march in woolen costumes that definitely don’t look friendly. Apart from being quite scary, these costumes also include a belt full of cattle bells, which ring every time the person in the costume takes a step. The story behind this tradition is that these costumes are designed to scare bad spirits away from the villages through their eerie appearance and the deafening noise of the bells.

This year, I was among those thousands of visitors in the town, where I had the chance to see the performance with my own eyes. Honestly, this show was both surprising and unusual to witness. I really absorbed the atmosphere, watching the different costumes and hearing the bells echoing all around the town. It was impressive how even the streets carried the distinct scent of the woolen costumes. I also really enjoyed the different food stalls in the main square, where fresh meat on the barbecue was my main choice. It’s amazing how such a small town manages to host this festival in a way that truly immerses you in the essence of Bulgarian culture.

However, like all festivals around the world, there were some disadvantages. First, about the show, I can say that even though it was initially surprising, it quickly became repetitive, as all the costumes looked the same, and it was just people making noises with the bells. Additionally, the town, being small and not designed for so many visitors, made moving around very tricky. I had to wait twenty minutes just to cross a seven-meter bridge, as it was extremely narrow. Finally, even though the food was delicious, it was also extremely expensive, which worked against both my wallet and my desire to try new dishes.

Overall, this festival was very surprising for me as a foreigner; however, due to the repetitive nature of the show, the overwhelming crowds, and the high prices, it was a one-time experience for me, as I don’t intend to return to this event. Nevertheless, I had a great experience immersing myself in Bulgarian culture, which allowed me to feel a deeper connection to this country.