site.btaKyustendil Expects Over 3,500 Participants for Dzhamala Festival 2026 on February 7-8

The Dzhamala Festival 2026 will be held in Kyustendil on February 7 and 8, the municipal administration said on Tuesday.

The town will welcome over 3,500 participants, including kukeri, mechkari, survakari, dzhamalari, babugeri, startsi, rusalii and surati, who will present traditional masquerade customs from different regions of the country. These are masked men wearing elaborate costumes, performing traditional Bulgarian dances and rituals to scare away evil spirits, often translated into English as "mummers". 

Over the two days, masquerade groups will demonstrate characteristic rituals, costumes and performances, with each group taking part in the parade and presenting its custom to the audience and the jury. The evaluation of the best and most traditional costume will be carried out by specialists in ethnography, ethnology and folklore art.

On the eve of the event, on February 6, an exhibition will be opened at the Regional Department of Education and students from one of the town's primary school will present paintings dedicated to the masquerade tradition.