New Year’s traditions in Bulgaria

New Year’s Eve is pretty huge in Bulgaria. The holiday is perceived as the third opportunity for a new beginning in the year. You may start scratching your head in confusion here since New Year’s Eve is literally the beginning of the year. However, the counting begins on a religious holiday called Ignadzden. It takes place on 20th December and is believed to be the day when Virgin Mary’s pains and going into labour began. The second mark is obviously Christmas Day — the birth of baby Jesus, the saviour and bearer of the new order.