Kuker and Proshka processions are national holidays that precede the beginning of Lent in Bulgaria. These celebrations are analogous to our Maslenitsa.

Proshka (or as it is also called “Sirni Zagovezni”) is Forgiveness Sunday, the last Sunday before Lent. This holiday is celebrated according to the church calendar 7 weeks before Easter. In 2017, Proshka falls on February 26th. In 2018 – on February 18. In 2019 – on March 10. 2020 – March 1. 2021 – March 14. 2022 – March 6.

Cookers in Bulgaria are dressed in furry animal costumes

A week before Proshka, colorful Kuker processions take place. Kukers are mummers who, according to tradition in Bulgaria, must be dressed in costumes and masks of scary fantastic animals, as well as in the traditional images of an old woman, a priest, a taxman, a king). With their dances, the costumed people must drive out all evil and fear, spend the winter (the pagan agricultural tradition of seeing off winter) and contribute to health and a future good harvest.

Cooker carnival mask

Cooker costumes are very colorful and can weigh over 30 kg. Kukers often wear rattles on their belts, which ring and drive away evil spirits. Kukers go from house to house, and in large cities entire festive processions are organized, reminiscent of a colorful masquerade.

Costumed as Proshka

Proshka is more of a family holiday. Bulgarians do not fry pancakes, but make layer cake banitsa and halva. The tradition of jumping over a fire (to ward off evil spirits) is also widespread among young people.