site.btaBanat Bulgarians Gather for Annual Ball and Heritage Celebration

On Saturday, dozens of guests from Byala Slatina, Altimir, Priseltsi and Gostilya in Bulgaria and from Dudestii Vechi (Star Bisnov) in Romania attended the Banat Bulgarians’ Ball, an event held annually for more than 10 years in the village of Bardarski Geran, in the northwest of Bulgaria.

The ball featured a performance by the Falmis Dance Ensemble, affiliated with the Society of Banat Bulgarians in Bulgaria, organizer Ralitsa Mollova told BTA. She and her colleagues Katerina Velcheva and Anna Toshkova are part of Team 135, a name given by locals when, three years ago, they organized a celebration of the 135th anniversary of the village’s founding.

For the first time at the Banat Bulgarians’ Ball, authentic folk costumes over a century old from both Romania and Bulgaria were displayed. Pavel Velchov, chair of the community centre in Dudeștii Vechi, explained to BTA that they had brought unique costumes—“the last such, made by our grandmothers; today, there is no one left to craft them.”

As part of the event, attendees toured traditional Banat-style houses. Tsanko Pankov, who lives in Sofia, took pride in showing off his grandparents’ home built before 1904. Pankov noted: “She was 16 and he was 17 when they were married; they were brought from Banat, introduced, and wed. That was how it was done then.” The house includes a “parlour,” unused except when hosting guests, and a century-old German-made chest that remains robust today.

Families in Bardarski Geran historically traded down quilts and pillows, explained Katerina Velcheva, who guided visiting groups through several Banat houses.

Ralitsa Mollova shared a striking wartime anecdote. In 1943, on Hitler’s orders, 130 Germans living in Bardarski Geran were removed overnight. “They were loaded onto carts and trucks and taken to the narrow-gauge railway leading to Byala Slatina.” Today, a “German” quarter still exists in the village. One of the homes visited served as a filming location for the movie Trimata ot zapasa (The Three Reservists).

Only a few Germans remained in the village, mostly via mixed marriages with Banat Bulgarians, Mollova noted. Visitors also toured a Catholic cathedral, built in the early 19th century as part of a compound that included a Benedictine nunnery, kindergarten, school, and church. The complex spanned about a hectare. The church, Our Lady Mother of Holy Hope, commonly called the German Church, was built within the German parish.

Banat culinary traditions were also showcased: home-made pasta called “lista na suvo”, and sweet breads “tochno debelo s mak” and “tochno debelo s kaneleta” (akin to kozunak). Katya Chukanova and several women from Bardarski Geran began preparations yesterday; by 5:00 PM they were making the pasta dough. “It includes boiled potatoes, crouton‑like crumbs, oil with red pepper, and cheese. This is traditional for Bardarski Geran and us Banat Bulgarians,” she told BTA.

“My hope is that, during these festive days, people with common roots come together to talk about traditions and customs. This motivates me to help the community hold cultural and intellectual gatherings,” said Ralitsa Mollova.

“When we have more reasons to gather, to return here, united, preserving tradition, speaking of our history and costumes, we remain people who continue to write the history of Banat Bulgarians,” added Katerina Velcheva. She noted the event is organized with help from the Bardarski Geran Mayor’s Office and volunteers. Byala Slatina Municipality supports the hosting of their Romanian friends, and “we are pleased that we enrich each other and keep the tradition alive,” said Velcheva.

Byala Slatina Mayor Ivo Tsvetkov attended the event. A Catholic Mass is planned for Sunday, explained Vanya Naidenova, who has volunteered at the St Joseph Church for years. The church was built in 1936.

Bardarski Geran is home to Bulgaria’s largest community of Banat Bulgarians. Ninety per cent are Catholics.