Record number of children participating in “Surva” 2024 mummers festival in Pernik

Europe's biggest masquerade festival returns to Pernik this weekend from January 26 to 28. The guests of the city will be able to see ancient Bulgarian customs that are still alive today.

"The 30th anniversary edition of the “Surva” mummers festival this year will attract a record number of participants - nearly 10,000 from 150 different groups. There is also a record high number of children taking part - 3,000 from Bulgaria and abroad. We expect hundreds of thousands of spectators," the deputy mayor of Pernik, Stefan Krastev, told BNT on January 26.

According to him, the security and safety measures are serious.

"There are fences all around the festival area. There is a sufficient number of stands for the public. At the entrance to the city, there are signposts with information about parking spaces and the streets closed to traffic. There are also quite a few accompanying events besides the parade," said Stefan Krastev.