

When she is smiling, the weather is sunny and warm, but if she gets angry the cold will stay for longer and it may even snow. In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Marta is a grumpy old woman who changes her mood very quickly and this reflects the changeable weather in March. Search, discover and share your favorite Baba Marta GIFs. In local mythology, which dates back to the pre-Christian era, Baba Marta comes to end the winter and begin the spring. On March 1st in Bulgaria, Romania and Greek Thrace, people honour Baba Marta by giving each other martenitsas: amulets of twisted red and white yarn. She is the personification of the month, and the holiday is celebrated every year on the first of March. On this day, Bulgarians exchange Martenitsi (twined red & white threads made of wool, silk or cotton) and tell each other, "Chestita Baba Marta!" This custom is to wish good health, luck and happiness to family and friends. Baba Marta means Grandmother March in English. The first of March marks the celebration of Baba Marta (Grandma March) here in Bulgaria, and is seen as the first day of spring. Along with the festivities, is the tradition of making Martenitsa adornments to. The entire celebration is all about bidding adieu to winter and welcoming in the fresh blooms of spring. On March 1, Bulgarians celebrate a traditional holiday called Baba Marta which is related to welcoming in Spring. In Bulgaria there is a centuries old tradition of celebrating Baba Marta aka ‘Grandmother March Day.’ It begins on March 1st and continues all month long. You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.This afternoon Rosianna taught Ruby Class all about an ancient Bulgarian tradition - Martenitsa. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. This story can also be found in German folklore, for instance in the "Frau Holle" or Mother Hulda legend. One says that on that day she does her pre-spring cleaning and shakes her mattress for the last time before the next winter - all the feathers that come out of it pour on Earth like snow - the last snow of the year.

As folklore there are different versions of the Baba Marta tale. The tradition of giving friends red-and-white interwoven strings brings health and happiness during the year and is a reminder that spring is near.īaba Marta ("Grandma March") is believed to be a feisty lady who always seems to be grudging at her two brothers, January and February, while the sun only comes out when she smiles. Since ancient times on the 1-st of March all Bulgarians give each other martenitsi. This is done as a reference as to a freezing weather change after a spring break.īulgarians celebrate on March 1 a centuries-old tradition and exchange martenitsi on what is called the day of Baba Marta. HAPPY BABA MARTA (Chestita Baba Marta) Lots of happiness, health and luck. Grandma Marta Day is a holiday celebrated in Bulgaria, on March 1. Some of the specific features of the ritual in the beginning if may and especially tying the twisted white and red woolen threads to suggest Thracian Hellenic, even to Roman origin. If Baba Martha smiles, the weather is warm and sunny, and if she is angry, then a cold wind blows. In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Martha is a grumpy granny whose mood changes very quickly, which is reflected in the changeable weather of March. Baba Marta folklore is also present in southeastern Serbia, namely in the municipalities of Bosilegrad and Dimitrovgrad, where there is a majority ethnic Bulgarian population living there. Baba Marta is believed to be her sister, sometimes smiling and friendly, sometimes unpredictably evil. Baba Marta is the personification of nature in the stage of early spring erratic, unpredictable, easily changing. In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Marta is a mythical figure who brings with her the end of the cold winter and the beginning of spring. Martenitsa is made of red and white twisted woolen threads and has to appease and amuse the Baba Marta. She invites the sun, the flowers, and the birds for a new season of bustling life. Her holiday of the same name is celebrated in Bulgaria on March 1 with the exchange and wearing of martenitsi. Every toddler knows that Baba Marta is a charming old lady who chases away the cold and grumpy February.

īaba Marta (Bulgarian: Баба Марта, "Granny March") is the name of a Bulgarian mythical figure who brings with her the end of the cold winter and the beginning of the spring. This can be unlocked when you visit Bulgaria during this special day. BG Baba Marta is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY.
