BTA: Martenitsa: Bulgarians Celebrate Spring with Centuries-Old Tradition
On March 1, Bulgarians celebrate a traditional festival marking the onset of spring. They exchange special red-and-white charms, called martenitsa, wishing each other health and prosperity throughout the year. Called Baba Marta, or Granny Marta, as an embodiment of spring and commonly depicted as a sweet old lady, this spring tradition has survived centuries.
Originally, the martenitsa consisted simply of a red-and-white wool or silk thread, twisted leftward, with a gold or silver coin occasionally tied to it for an abundant harvest, or a blue bead to ward off evil spells. The white is a symbol of strength, longevity, the male spirit and sunshine, while the red symbolizes the female spirit and is associated with health, blood, conception, birth and fertility.
The martenitsa is especially made for the occasion and is worn on one's clothing, wrist or neck, or round the left wrist, or is tied round the horns of cattle or round the branches of fruit trees. The wearer keeps it until a swallow or a stork returning from migration is first seen, after which it is hung on a branch in blossom or hidden under a rock to welcome spring and to represent the hope that the evil spirits will go to sleep.
The popular spring amulet was reckoned to protect the wearers from diseases, the evil eye and bad luck, and to ensure the fertility of livestock, a plentiful harvest, and farmers' good health and prosperity.
The tradition of the martenitsa is believed to be unique to Bulgaria even though similar traditions also exist in Romania, Northern Greece and countries where Bulgarians have migrated through the centuries.
Facebook
Instagram
X/Twitter
Telegram
BTA: Bulgarian Naval Research Ship Arrives at Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island
BTA: New Construction Chamber Chair Kachamakov Pledges Fight Against Shadow Economy, Focus on Workforce and Youth Engagement
BTA: First Bulgarian Geodesist to Set Foot on Antarctica Worked on Research Laboratory at Bulgaria’s Livingston Island Base
BTA: Aleksandar Nikolov and Karlos Nasar Make Top Ten of Balkan Athlete of 2025 Poll
BTA: Cultural Values – National Pride Book Maps Out New Approach to Protecting Bulgaria’s UNESCO Heritage
BTA: Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria: New Cabinet with This Parliament Is Highly Undesirable
BTA: National Social Security Institute Unanimously Approves 2026 State Social Security Budget
BTA: Scope Ratings Agency Confirms Bulgaria's "A-" Credit Rating, Outlook Stable
BTA: Kiril Valchev Unanimously Re-elected BTA Director General
BTA: Romanian PM Paying Two-Day Visit to Austria, Scheduled to Meet Hungarian Counterpart
BTA: Poll Identifies Shift in Bucharest Mayoral Race, One Candidate Withdraws
BTA: Bulgarian Women’s Team Win World Title in Aesthetic Group Gymnastics in Samokov
BTA: Bulgaria to Host Opening, First Three Stages of Giro d'Italia Cycling Race in May 2026
BTA: Six injured, including two children, in nighttime drone attack on Odesa region
PHOTO // Woman of Moldova: portrait of changing society
International Women’s Day marked in Moldova and worldwide
Romanian language in schools in Transnistrian region
Security restrictions in Israel extended until 9 March; outbound flights to resume gradually
National Bank of Moldova 
Health at center of Moldovan president's visit to southern region
Moldovan government proposes simplification of voluntary amalgamation procedure
Reform of local public administration: consultations held with over 3,700 local elected officials, citizens in 29 districts of Moldova
Dialogue on parliamentary platform regarding country’s reintegration policies
Moldovan government encourages individual taxpayers to direct 2 per cent of income tax paid on last year’s earnings to non-commercial, non-profit organizations
Crisis Cell: Embassies maintain direct contact with Moldovan citizens in Middle East and provide consular assistance
PHOTO // Mărțișor celebrated in Baku at event with Moldovan diaspora
PHOTO // Roadmen working on days-off to fill potholes on national roads
Fairs offering local products organized in several districts of capital
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration: Fair and lasting peace in Ukraine could create certain conditions for withdrawal of Russian military forces from Transnistrian region
PHOTO // Painting exhibition inaugurated at Moldova's parliament
Health at center of Moldovan president's visit to southern region
Moldovan government proposes simplification of voluntary amalgamation procedure
PHOTO // Moldovan president visits south of country: modernization of two ports in Giurgiulesti, construction of Cahul regional hospital, talks with young people
Moldovan foreign affairs minister, representatives of Azerbaijani Economy Ministry, SOCAR discuss economic, energy cooperation in Baku
PHOTO // Moldovan foreign affairs minister has talks with Azerbaijani parliament speaker; boosting dialogue between two legislatures on agenda
Reform of local public administration: consultations held with over 3,700 local elected officials, citizens in 29 districts of Moldova
PHOTO GALLERY // Wolves of Calancea, Osoianu sisters gave concert in Chisinau
New rules against digital piracy: Moldovan parliament approves administrative sanctions
Moldovan parliament appoints two international experts to prosecutors' evaluation commission
Moldova strengthens role in regional logistics: strategic quadrilateral meeting in Brussels
Receive the latest news directly to your email
Receive the latest news directly to your email