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Experience the Surva Festival of Masquerade Games in Pernik. Witness the vibrant parade of masked groups, immerse yourself in Bulgarian folklore, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of the Surva Festival
• Witness the captivating parade of masquerade groups from around the world
• Experience the magic of ancient rituals and Bulgarian folklore
• Feel the energy and excitement of the festival's competitive program
• Discover the rich cultural heritage of the Survakar and Kuker traditions

Description

Experience the magic of the International Festival of Masquerade Games “Surva” in Pernik, Bulgaria. This festival is the most authoritative in Bulgaria and Europe for traditional folk games and customs with masks. It popularizes the variants of ancient rituals that have survived to this day, part of the Bulgarian folklore tradition. With its competition program, the festival is a meeting of survakars, kukers, babugers, jamalars, and many others. Every year, thousands of bearers of the tradition from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria and guests from Europe, Asia, America, and Africa participate in the festival competition. Participants come to Pernik for the emotion, the fun, to share the magic of “Surva”, to feel renewed, to wish themselves health and luck. The festival has been organized by the Municipality of Pernik since 1966. Since 1985 it has had international status. In 1995 Pernik was accepted as a member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities. On June 26, 2009, during a ceremonial session of the Municipal Council in Pernik, the President of FECG Henry van der Kroon declared Pernik the European capital of the Survakar and Kuker traditions. In 2014, Pernik and the Surva festival were included in the National Geographic magazine's ranking of World's Top Winter Destinations. Since 2008, the International Festival of Masquerade Games has been held annually on the last Saturday and Sunday of January. Its most attractive highlight is the two-day competitive parade of masquerade groups from the country and abroad.

Includes

Transportation to and from Pernik Guided tour of the local History museum of Coal mining - one of the only three museums of this type in Europe Access to the competitive parade of masquerade groups Experience traditional Bulgarian folklore rituals Enjoy local street food and drinks

Important Information

• The festival is held annually on the last Saturday and Sunday of January Participants and visitors can experience a variety of traditional masked games The festival has been organized since 1966 and has international status since 1985 Pernik is recognized as the European capital of the Survakar and Kuker traditions

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund