Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Gladney Center expands to Bulgaria

The Gladney Center for Adoption, one of the oldest and largest maternity homes and adoption agencies in the United States, has opened an inter-country adoption program in Bulgaria. The Fort Worth-based nonprofit organization has partnered with an accredited Bulgarian agency to help place an estimated 8,700 orphans in the Bulgaria.

read more | digg story

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Bulgaria Holidays

Jan 1 - New Years Day

Mar 3 - Liberation Day

Celebrate independence from Ottoman Rule: Mar 3, 1878 the Treaty of San Stefano was signed.

Apr 10 - Good Friday

Apr 13 - Orthodox Easter Monday

The symbol for Easter is the bright red colored egg and it is baked into a special bread. On Saturday the families bring their bread to church and offer it up to family, God, and other friends/relatives. The greeting "Christ is Risen" and the answer "Indeed he has risen" is repeated for 40 days after Pascha (Easter).

May 1 - Labour Day

May 6 - Saint George's Day/Army Day

A day where villagers celebrate when St. George came and slaughtered the dragon that was stealing away the sheets and lambs. A sacrifice of a lamb is made in every home on Gergyovden (St. George's Day).

Also the Army or Bravery Day. A parade in honor of the military is held.

May 24 - Culture and Literacy Day

Celebrates the Cyrillic Alphabet and the Bulgarian culture.

Sep 6 - Unification Day

Celebrates the unification of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia.

Sep 22 - Independence Day

The formal independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Nov 1 - Revival Leaders' Day

Dec 24 - Christmas Eve

Dec 25 - Christmas Day

Fasting and feasting is common during this holiday. Also is the baking of a loaf of bread with a small piece of silver inside. It is said that the one who finds the silver will have good luck.

Dec 26 - Second Day of Christmas