site.btaWhite Brotherhood Beginning to Gather in Rila Mountain for Traditional New Year

For several days now, followers of the White Brotherhood from all over the world have been gathering in the Rila Mountains. Their annual camp at this time of the year gathers many tourists high in the mountains to see the ritual dance, Paneurhythmy, which is performed near the Babreka Lake.

"Sometimes the tourists outnumber the members. Many of them come and also camp in the mountains, because for them this paneurythmy festival is a major attraction," Georgi Georgiev, a White Brotherhood member, told BTA.

He said that the Brotherhood member will also do a traditional clean-up of the Seven Lakes area, as well as the trail between the old and the new lodge. "There was a meeting today where Brotherhood members were split in groups and each was assigned an area to clean the litter," said Georgiev.

Traditionally, the followers of Peter Deunov, also known by his spiritual name Beinsa Douno, welcome their Summer (Solar) New Year on August 19. This happens during the spiritual school of Beinsa Bouno followers, which is organized at the Seven Rila Lakes. According to tradition, the White Brotherhood meets the sunrise on Prayer Hill in Rila, from where it addresses its first morning prayers to the Sun. The White Brotherhood believe that the sunrise on August 19 has magical powers. According to them, a person welcoming the first rays of the sun on this day high in the mountains is charged with energy for the next 12 months.