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International Festival of Masquerade Games
About the event
Since 1966, the municipality of Pernik has begun to organise periodically regional and national festivals of “survakaski” games and rituals (“survakam” – wish a Happy New Year by tapping one’s back with a decorated cornel twig).
Since 1985, due to the great interest in Bulgaria and in a number of European countries, the Festival has become an International event. In the festival took part folklore groups from various masquerade and carnival towns from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Russia, Italy, Spain, etc.
The festival is unique and presents the whole variety of masquerade games in Bulgaria. In the context of the traditional beliefs of the Bulgarian people, the game of the masked participants is a ritual blessing for health, prosperity and welfare.