What is tradition for Dimitrovden?
16: Dimitrovden (Saint Dimitri’s Day) is name day of persons with names Dimitar, Dimitri, Dimitrina, Dima, etc. It is celebrated on 26 October. In the Bulgarian folk calendar, the Day of Saint Dimitri is connected with a turn of seasons – it marks the beginning of winter. According to the popular beliefs, at midnight before Saint Dimitri’s Day the sky opens up. From this day on the first snow is expected too. Saint Dimitri is considered to be the patron of winter, frost and snow. October 26 is the last day of a traditional period (beginning from St. George’s Day and concluding with St. Dimitri’s Day) for seasonal workers – shepherds, farm hands, etc. Therefore, this day has also been known as Razpous (Dismissal). With ‘Dimitrovden’ the season of weddings and engagements starts. Traditionally, a meeting is arranged between the young people of the village with a view to marriage. On 26th October the lads choose their prospective wives from a group of maidens who perform a special nationa
