Vintage photo ETHNIC Bulgaria CHILDRENS LAZARKI LAZAROUVANE - Real photo 1944s - VRABNITZA - SOFIA REGION

Vintage (not a reproduction) pc - postcard -

Approx: 9 x 13 cm --3.5 x 5.5 inch

Gallery Vintage old POSTCARD

Series - #

Photographer/Publisher:REAL PHOTO

Year -1944 - VRABNITZA - SOFIA REGION

St Lazar's Day - 8 days before Easter - LAZAROUVANE Lazarouvane is a custom of Slav origin and is the "coming out" of girls eligible to be married (under 12 years old!). It is also known as Lazaritsi or Buenek in Thrace and Danets in Dobrud_a. It is a string of ritual songs and dances learnt by young girls during Lent. The leader of the dance is called the Lazarki, Buenica or Bouyenets depending on the region. She leads the chain of 5-15 dancers from house to house and they pay a short visit to every family. They perform dances and songs in which they express good wishes for health, prosperity and fertility for all family members and livestock. A frequent theme for Lazarouvane songs is new romance.The Lazarki wears a special ornate costume. In the area of Sandanski (in Pirin) this costume is a white saya with a richly embroidered chemise and apron and many multi-coloured handkerchiefs tucked into the apron. In Sofia the Lazarki wears a headdress with flowers attached to a metal forehead ornament. In Sliven and Yambol the headdress is made of a cylindrical pad decorated with flowers.The dance of the Lazarouvane in the Sofia and Pomorie regions is one of the most beautiful Bulgarian ceremonies.

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