Breznik Hosts 20th Surova Masquerade Festival
Breznik celebrated the 20th edition of the Surova Masquerade Festival on Saturday, a beloved winter tradition in the region. The event is known for its vibrant blend of sounds, colors, and emotions, CE Report quotes BTA
Every January, a parade featuring eerie masks, ringing bells, and colorful costumes takes over the town's central streets. The masks are believed to ward off evil for the year ahead, while blessings for health, prosperity, and happiness are shared.
This year’s festival gathered over 1,300 participants, including an 87-year-old woman and a three-year-old boy, as noted by the Breznik Municipality. The largest group comprised nearly 120 participants.
The festivities concluded in the town square with a ceremonial fire and a traditional dance symbolizing health, renewal, and purification, followed by a fireworks display.
Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, an official guest, praised the event, saying, "Though the masks may appear frightening, they embody the beauty of our history, traditions, and the essence of what has preserved us as a people and a nation."
