Baba Marta, an ancient tradition, with roots in the ancient pagan history of Balkan Peninsula, greets the Spring in Bulgaria with a little red and white trinket: Martenitsa. This tradition, similar with Mărţişor in Romania, and others in Republic of Macedonia, Northern Greece, Albania, and Moldova, is an occasion to celebrate life, and to send wishes of good health and prosperity to all whom we care about.
Children and students from metropolitan schools and kindergartens in Sofia, Bulgaria, took this opportunity to remind Europe of the beautiful Bulgarian traditions that welcome Spring. They made 2000 Martenitsi and cards with greetings in different languages, and sent them to various European institutions, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, in an effort to support Sofia’s candidature for the European Capital of Culture 2019.
Each child was allowed to write an original message on the back of the card, all wishing well on the receiver, according to Cross:
“Happy Baba Marta Day!” a child from 133 School “Pushkin” wrote. “When Baba Marta is smiling, the weather outside is sunny and warm. However, if she gets angry, the weather will stay cold and it may even snow. March is sometimes a messed-up month, going hot and cold. It is believed that the stork brings the spring. It is the bird that makes everybody happy. We wish to the whole world to smile more this year.”
Our wishes go back to the beautiful children of Bulgaria. May you always be happy and healthy, to bring us more smiles like these beautiful Martenitsi.