Grandma Marta's Day, or time to go a little pagan in Bulgaria

[tilia_tomentosa]

So, there is this old custom in Bulgaria - it's exact origin is unknown, but it is undeniably pagan. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is OK with it, but it hasn't quite Christianized it, as it has done with many other folk customs. Moreover, even the ethnic Turks among my fellow students, who are Muslims, are happy to exchange martenitsi with us on

Comments

[uneasytruce]

I love this entry. As soon as I started reading about Marta, I had to turn on the music: Deep Forest's "Marta's Song" (from their Boheme CD). Have you heard it?*

I'm glad you spent some time researching your Baba, what her name means, and what the Bulgarian customs are surrounding the martenitsa. To me, these are beautiful and fascinating. For you, they still flow through your bloodstream!

*I've often wondered if this song actually contains real Bulgarian words. Some of the other songs seem to me definitely Macedonian, or Czech, or Bulgarian. There is a song on the same album called Bulgarian Melody, and I believe this band really does care about being authentic.

[paterson_si]

Boheme is one of my all time favourite CD's. :)

[uneasytruce]

Isn't it wonderful?

After I wrote my comment to Dari, I kept listening: Each song more beautiful, more deep and dark, than the last. I love Deep Forest, and Boheme might be the best thing they've ever done.

[paterson_si]

Boheme is definitely their best record, and Deep Folk Song/Freedom Cry still gets to me... after all these years. Special memories are connected to those two songs.

[tilia_tomentosa]

And I hadn't even listened to those songs!

Bulgarian Melody is authentic enough, but their Bulgarian is TERRIBLE, it's hard for me to make out the words.