Trakia-Tours
a journey through the bulgarian history
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Among Bulgarians there is special interest in the celebration on May 21st, Sts. Konstantin and Elena's Day, as it is connected with a phenomenon which has existed for centuries and is still a mystery -fire-dancing. Due to its striking resemblance with fire-walking (observed in modern Shamanism, Hinduism and in African religions) it is thought that it was a heathen custom, which has taken on some external sheen of the Christian religion and accepted a ritualistic character. Fire-dancing is not only an attractive dance upon live coals, but part of a system of lasting beliefs and ritual acts with their own sacral centre (the konak or municipal administration), icons and holy, religious instruments. Only the most spectacularly visual element, the fire dance, has been preserved from the old-time religion; it is practiced today only as a folklore attraction in certain villages and many eating establishments along the Black Sea. The "professional" fire-dancers perform on the coals during the celebrations for Sts. Konstantin and Elena's in the village of Bulgari, but this not an authentic ritual because they do it for money.
