Educational mediators from all over the country celebrated “Vasilitsa – Roma New Year” 2022

For another year, educational mediators at Center Amalipe and schools, part of the network “Every student will be a winner”, celebrated the Vasilitsa holiday. And although this year the conditions are different and we can not do large-scale events, we will not miss to remind how important it is to build bridges between us. And the celebration of the Roma New Year is an ideal occasion for this.

Vasilovden or Vasilitsa (sometimes called Bango Vasili in the media) is celebrated by many Roma groups in Bulgaria. It is universally known as the “Roma New Year”. Among the Kaldarashis, the holiday is celebrated more modestly, while among the Yerliyas and especially the Burgujis and Musikants, it is a major celebration, matched only by St. George’s Day.

It is among the Burgundians and Dhundars that Vasilitsa is celebrated for three days, and even a slight distinction is made between Vasilovden and Bango Vasili – on 13.01. and 14.01. is Vasilovden, and on 15.01. – Bango Vasili (“Kutsiya Vasil”). This distinction is not made by the Kaldarashis, Rudars, and other yerliyas (e.g. Khorakhane-Roma) in Central Bulgaria, who call all three days “Bango Vasili”. It should also be noted that the evening of 13.01. versus 14.01. very often performs the role of Christmas Eve.

 

Here’s how some of the mediators celebrated the Roma New Year in different locations around the country:

Strazhitsa

Again this year, on the initiative of the educational mediator at the Center “Amalipe” Irena Mihaylova together with a student from the school “Angel Karaliychev” greeted the mayoral team in the municipality of Strazhitsa. With an authentic handmade survaknitsa the student greeted Mr. Yordan Tsonev and employees of the administration for health and good luck. The ritual is part of the events for the Vasilitsa holiday, which the Roma community celebrates as the beginning of the New Year and during which children wish health and prosperity with the traditional Roma folklore calls. Later, together with parents, a thematic talk was held on the theme “United in the Holidays”, dedicated to Vasilitsa.

 

Pavlikeni

Pupils from the primary school “St. Cyril and Methodius” Batak village greeted representatives of the municipality of Pavlikeni and the mayor of the municipality Engineer Emmanuel Manolov. The event was attended by educational mediators Stefan Stefanov, Nikola Georgiev and the school principal Alexander Mikhailov, as well as teachers from the village of Batak.

 

Plovdiv

Educational mediator Fatme Arslan celebrated the Roma New Year on 11.01.2022 by presenting to students and volunteers information about how the holiday is celebrated, what are the traditions and customs through a presentation.

Karadzhovo

Educational mediator Boycho Kochev and the students from the primary school “Vasil Levski” in the village of Karadzovo. Karadzhovo were virtual guests of H.E. Rob Dixon – Ambassador of Great Britain in Bulgaria on the occasion of Bango Vasil – the Roma New Year. The children wished the Ambassador good health and prosperity. He virtually drew his good luck from a specially prepared pie for the occasion. What is a celebration without music and lots of cheer? “Bakhtalo Vasiliy, Bakhtalo nevo bresh, o Del te del butte sastipe i butte bakhtalipe!”

Byala Slatina

On the occasion of Bango Vasil, students from the Professional School of Clothing “Elisaveta Bagriana”, Byala Slatina visited the Regional Department of Education – Vratsa together with the educational mediator Larisa Antonova. The young people told about the origin of the holiday and the traditions associated with it, greeted the employees of the Regional Education and Training Department and performed a characteristic dance.

Nova Cerna

The pupils of the Primary School “St. Cyril and Methodius” in Nova Cherna, together with the educational mediator Veska Abadzhieva, warmly greeted the other children in the school and the experts they work with: “Be healthy and blessed!”

Village of Klisura

In PGI “Todor Genchov Vlaikov” town of Klisura celebrated the Roma New Year, together with the students of 8,9,10 classes the team prepared a festive meal. They recreated the holiday through two traditional dances and the day ended with a presentation on “Roma Life and Culture”, presented by the educational mediator Rumen Karadzhov.

The event was held in Novi Pazar with a presentation by

Students from the “Vasil Levski” Primary School in the village of Mirovtsi and Educational Mediator-Coordinator Aldin Stefanov told how the Roma celebrate the Roma New Year. They explained to the children and the school staff that this is one of the biggest and most respected holidays of all Roma groups in the country.

Shumen

Students from PHSSHT – Shumen presented traditions and customs related to the holidays Surva and Bango Vasil, with the help of educational mediator Angel Angelov. Children from different ethnic groups study at the school and celebrate all holidays together. The holiday Survaki on 01.01. /old style 14.01./ is associated with the hope for a happy life, for health and success, for the fulfillment of wishes and dreams. On the table there are pita, benitsa, roast chicken, fruit and wine. The children snarl for health and prosperity.

Village of Krasen

Educational mediator Selime Aliyeva in Krasen village said:
“Happy holiday to all who celebrate Vasilitsa also known as Bango Vasil (Romani New Year).In our region this holiday is not celebrated, so today we introduced the students of our school “Yordan Yovkov” Primary School with. This holiday is celebrated by a large part of the Roma community.”

Village of Kukorevo

On the occasion of the Roma New Year, the children and the educational mediator at the “Hristo Botev” Primary School in the village of Kukorovo. Kukorevo, municipality. Tashka Mutafova cheerfully welcomed all the teachers and the sourvak and congratulated with Bakhtalo te ovel o nevo bresh the Headmistress of the school Mrs. Tinka Ivanova!

Amalipe Center would like to thank all the educational mediators for being able to celebrate the Roma New Year, because the celebration is a tradition that should not be forgotten, but on the contrary – to spread among children the traditions and customs of all ethnic groups, including the Roma community.