Bulgaria
participants
The goal with our Martenitsa Workshop is to showcase Bulgarian traditions and allow our Erasmus students to better understand the culture they have come to. It is also an excellent occasion for Erasmus students to meet our local students and volunteers, work together, and build connections.
Baba Marta is a unique Bulgarian holiday to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. On March 1s, Bulgarians exchange Martenitsi (bracelets made of white and red strings) to wish their close ones good health throughout the year.
We started with a short, 10-minute-presentation about the history of the tradition, some fun facts, some legends about the origin of the holiday, and, of course, a demonstration of how to make a Martenitsa. The participants (both Erasmus students and local volunteers) had to then split into groups of two and work together in order to knit their own bracelets.
