Culture and events
Kukeri, folklore and weekly markets: traditions that are still very much alive here.
Festivals throughout the year
The year here runs from festival to festival. From the Kukeri in January via St. George's Day in May to the summer evenings with music on the square. And every day there is a market somewhere in the valley.
Annual festivals and traditions
5 OctBansko Day
Celebration in the centre
1 JanKukeri Starchevata
Masked dancers chase away evil spirits
1 JanBansko Kukeri
Procession with bells and masks
6 MaySt. George's Day
The biggest festival of the village, known across the country
Sat Jul–AugMusic and dance on the square
Every Saturday evening in July and August
22 SepIndependence Day
Music, traditional costume and dance on the square
Current events
New every week on Instagram and Facebook
Follow usHow people celebrate here
Kukeri
Men in long fur coats, with wooden masks and heavy copper bells around their waists. They dance and leap through the streets to chase away the evil of the old year. The custom dates back to the time of the Thracians. In Razlog the festival is called Starchevata and draws people from the whole region.
Music and dance
The kaval is a shepherd's flute, the gadulka a small string instrument and the tambura a long-necked lute. Young and old dance the horo to it: in a long line, hand in hand, across the square.
Traditional costume
Women wear a long, wide dress with embroidery, lace and beads, men a white shirt with a woollen jacket. Every region has its own colours and patterns. On holidays everything comes out of the wardrobe.
Small customs
What's on this week?
Festivals, markets and concerts change every week. We share the current events on Instagram and Facebook.
A different market every day
Tip: combine the Saturday market in Yakoruda with the narrow-gauge train.
Traditional costume, drums and bells
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