site.btaCommunity Centre in Edirne Celebrates Traditional Bulgarian Maundy Thursday

The dancers from the Balkan Club and the members of the Ebru Club (painting on water surface) and the Nature Lovers Club at the Prosveta Community Center in Edirne observed the tradition of painting eggs red and kneading Easter bread, symbols of the upcoming holy Christian holiday of Easter. On Maundy Thursday, they gathered at the Bulgarian church in the city.

The participants spent hours painting red eggs and kneading Easter bread, just as their mothers and grandmothers had taught them. They recalled, and some got acquainted with, interesting parts from the ancient Bulgarian traditions associated with Easter.

The event was held at the initiative of the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Edirne, headed by Consul General Radoslava Kafedzhiyska.

Kafedzhiyska told BTA that the products for dyeing the eggs and Easter bread were donated by Turkish businessman Mustafa Ozturk, owner of the Mustafa Market chain of stores near Svilengrad.

She pointed out that this year's Easter Liturgy in Edirne will be celebrated in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church St. St. Constantine and Elena, led by Metropolitan Amfilochios of Adrianople.

The many guests who are expected to come from Bulgaria and the city to celebrate Easter will be welcomed with dyed eggs and Easter bread.