Surva Celebration
This is the Surva celebration, an ancient Bulgarian ritual for celebrating the new year and chasing the evil away using masks, ritual dances and fire. Surva participants are called Kukeri, who make their own masks and costumes and leave them to their children. In some villages of Pernik region, the celebration happens from 13-14 January, when the new year comes according to the old Julian calendar.
Peter Kitanov, Bulgaria, Kyustendil