More than 7,400 to Participate in Mummers Festival “Surva” in Pernik

More than 7,400 mummers are expected to participate in this year’s edition of the Mummers festival “Surva” in Pernik.

From 26^th to 28^th of January, Pernik will become the European capital of the masquerade games.

160 masquerade groups from Bulgaria and 17 foreign groups will present the Bulgarian spirit and traditions of ancient origins.

"Surva" is part of the programme of Bulgaria’s EU Presidency and is under the patronage of the Minister of Culture Boil Banov.

Mummers (Kukeri in Bulgarian) is a Bulgarian tradition of Thracian origins. In ancient times the old Thracians held the Mummers Play in honour of god Dionysus.

Mummers plays are performed by men only, dressed in colourful hand-made costumes and wearing scary masks. Each wears a leather belt around the waist with huge copper bells (chanove) attached to it. The mask, according to folklore beliefs, protects from the harmful influence of evil spirits.

The dance of the masked men is a mystic unity of rhythm, sound, and colour. Moving in a special step, mummers walk around, jump and dance special magic dances to scare away the evil spirits, to celebrate the beginning of spring and hopes for a good harvest, health, land fertility, and happiness.