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42-748: In Albania, it is worn on the March 14 (the old first day of March in the Julian calendar) to celebrate the Summer Fest ( Dita e Verës ). In Albania, the Summer Fest is dedicated to the ancient Goddess Diana . Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity . A typical Martenitsa consists of two small wool dolls, Pizho and Penda ( Bulgarian : Пижо и Пенда ). Pizho,

84-510: A blossoming tree, and then removes the Martenitsa. In Bulgarian folklore and Macedonian Slavic mythology the name Baba Marta ( Bulgarian : Баба Марта , "Grandma March") evokes a grumpy old lady whose mood swings very rapidly. The common belief is that by wearing the red and white colors of the Martenitsa, people ask Baba Marta for mercy. They hope that it will make winter pass faster and bring spring. The first returning stork or swallow

126-505: A fit of gout and had to return to Messembria to take baths, leaving his generals to start the fighting and to engage them in a battle if they leave their fortifications. Otherwise, to put them under siege and to check their advances. The cavalry, however, spread the rumour that the emperor was deserting them, and fled on their own, without being chased by anybody. The Bulgars, seeing this, attacked and chased them and killed most of them by swords, and many were wounded. And after chasing them up to

168-410: A mixture of ashes from a wood stove boiled in water, adding a unique flavor to the cookie. Source: In Tropojë, this season gathers many people in the village of Luzhë, where they seek help and prosperity from tombs that have now been turned into idols. Adults and children travel for kilometers across mountainous terrains to reach these truly sacred and divine tombs. In Dibër, children light fires in

210-425: A popular character, and participation is at a national level. Songs, dances, crowds filling the city, boiled eggs painted in various colors, and the famous sweets called Ballokume that fill the markets. On this day, citizens from many cities of the country visit the city of Elbasan. In Skrapar and Lushnjë once the verore is removed, a wish is thought of, and then the bracelet is thrown into a bush or rose, or placed on

252-732: A result of centuries-old tradition and suggest Thracian (paleo-Balkan) or possibly Hellenic or Roman origins. Some ethnographers claim that the custom can be traced in the Eleusinian Mysteries . The ancient equivalent of the modern Greek "martis" is thought to be the kroke (κρόκη). The custom is mentioned in Photios' Lexicon. It is said that the priests [μύσται] wrap a red thread [κρόκη] around their right hand and foot. At that time red or otherwise colored threads were used to protect children and youths from evil spirits and witchcraft. An early 20th-century Bulgarian story relates

294-420: A small cake made from corn flour cooked in a wood fire. This term, over time, evolved into Ballokume. The primary ingredients of Ballokume include butter , sugar , eggs , and cornflour . Traditionally, it is kneaded in a copper bowl to enhance the texture of the dough, a process that involves vigorous kneading, often done by men in the household due to the strength required. The cookie sometimes contains finj,

336-402: A stone with the idea that the kind of creature (usually an insect) closest to the token the next day will determine the person's health for the rest of the year. If the creature is a larva or a worm , the coming year will be healthy and full of success. The same luck is associated with an ant , the difference being that the person will have to work hard to reach success. If the creature nearest

378-519: A tree branch in the hope that a swallow will come to take it to build its nest, thereby fulfilling the thought wish. On this day, children in Skrapar go door to door singing the song of Summer Day, receiving as gifts colored eggs which they crack on each other's heads. The typical dish of Skrapar for this festival, besides Ballokume, is also Anak (a type of pie) with wild greens. Just like in Tropojë, in

420-515: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Battle of Ongal Krum 's campaigns Simeon I 's campaigns Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria Uprising of Peter Delyan Second Bulgarian Empire The Battle of Ongal took place in the summer of 680 in the Ongal area, an unspecified location in and around the Danube Delta near

462-409: Is a UNESCO recognized "intangible cultural heritage". The holiday maintains a family and traditional atmosphere, in which parents, children and families celebrate together. On this day Albanians congratulate each other on living long and happy lives. Families would jump over a small fire, signifying a full cleansing going into a new year. Thanas Meksi, a renowned researcher and musicologist, divided

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504-517: Is a dessert unique to Elbasan and is synonymous with the Summer Day celebration. It's widely enjoyed across Albania and in Albanian communities around the world. This cookie is especially associated with Dita e Verës. The name Ballokume is believed to have originated from a 15th-century Ottoman ruler's exclamation, "Është ba si llokume!" which means "It’s as good as a lokum !" after tasting

546-561: Is an Albanian spring festival and pagan holiday celebrated (also officially in Albania ) on March 14 of the Gregorian calendar (March 1 of the Julian calendar ), for the beginning of the spring - summer period. In the old Albanian calendar, Verëza corresponds to the first three days of the new year ( Albanian : Kryeviti, Kryet e Motmotit, Motmoti i Ri, Nata e Mojit ) and marks

588-641: Is an important part of the Culture of Bulgaria and there is a similar tradition in North Macedonia , as well as in Greece , Albania (known as verorja), Romania and Moldova . The tradition is related to the ancient pagan history of the Balkan Peninsula and to all agricultural cults of nature. Some specific features of the ritual, especially tying the twisted white and red woolen threads, are

630-413: Is baking ballokume , a sugar cookie made with Albanian corn. In Lezha , Dita e Verës fires are lit to signify the sun's purity and strength. Although the holiday continues to be highlighted in the ancient city of Elbasan , it is celebrated by all Albanians. A Red and White wool bracelet called " Verore " is worn to celebrate the beginning of summer. This along with other March Summer Balkan traditions

672-421: Is taken as a harbinger of spring and as evidence that Baba Marta is in a good mood and is about to retire. The ritual of finally taking off the Martenitsa is different in different parts of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Some people tie the Martenitsa on a branch of a fruit tree, thus giving the tree health and luck, which the person wearing the Martenitsa has enjoyed themselves while wearing it. Others put it under

714-483: The Kosovo . The festivities include young men and women going out to village squares and mountainsides, gathering the first flowers of the season, dancing, singing, lighting fires, and preparing special dishes made with corn and wheat flour, which are similar yet distinct from Elbasan's ballokume. This festival is celebrated with the belief that the Summer Day brings luck, health, prosperity, rejuvenation, and human love, and

756-795: The Peuce Island , present-day Tulcea County , Romania . It was fought between the Bulgars , who had recently invaded the Balkans , and the Byzantine Empire , which ultimately lost the battle. The battle was crucial for the creation of the First Bulgarian Empire . In 632, Khan Kubrat united the Bulgars into the state of Old Great Bulgaria along the coasts of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea . After his death in

798-506: The 660s his sons divided his kingdom amongst themselves. Batbayan , the eldest son, inherited the throne in Poltava but was defeated by and submitted to the rule of his ambitious relative Cozarig ( Kotrag ) who had undermined the state's unity by leading his Don-Volga Khazars (Kutrigs) in expansion campaigns extending his empire to the north where Volga Bulgaria would eventually remain. The third son Asparuh marched westward and settled in

840-555: The Byzantine soldiers perished. According to popular belief, the emperor had leg pain and went to Mesembria to seek treatment. The troops thought that he fled the battlefield and in turn began fleeing. When the Bulgars realised what was happening, they attacked and defeated their discouraged enemy. After the victory, the Bulgars advanced south and seized the lands to the north of Stara Planina . In 681 they invaded Thrace defeating

882-526: The Byzantines again. Constantine IV found himself in a dead-lock and asked for peace. This battle was a significant moment in European history, as it led to the creation of a powerful state, which was to become a European medieval superpower in the 9th and 10th century along with the Byzantine and Frankish Empires . It became a cultural and spiritual centre of south Slavic Europe through most of

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924-566: The Danube, they crossed it. The Bulgars had built wooden ramparts in the swampy area near the Peuce Island . The marshes forced the Byzantines to attack from a weakened position and in smaller groups, which reduced the strength of their attack. With continuing attacks from the ramparts, the Bulgar defense eventually forced the Byzantines into a rout, followed up by the Bulgar cavalry. Many of

966-751: The Ongal area on the eastern banks of the Danube . Eventually the Avars fought back and after Asparuh consolidated his rule they launched an attack against the Byzantine lands to the south. During that time the Byzantine Empire was at war with the Arabs who had recently besieged the capital Constantinople . However, in 680 the Byzantines defeated the Arabs and concluded a peace treaty. After this success

1008-442: The custom might have reminded people of the constant cycle of life and death, the balance of good and evil, and the sorrow and happiness in human life. The Martenitsa is also a stylized symbol of Mother Nature, the white symbolizing the purity of the melting white snow and the red setting of the sun, which becomes more and more intense as spring progresses. These two natural resources are the source of life. They are also associated with

1050-522: The emperor Constantine IV was free to move against the Bulgars and led an army against Asparuh. In the meantime the Bulgar leader made an alliance with the Seven Slavic tribes for mutual protection against the Byzantines and formed a federation. According to the Chronicles of Nikephoros I of Constantinople : The infantry moved in battle lines towards the so called Onglos at the Danube and

1092-458: The end of the winter season (the second half of the year) and the beginning of the "summer" season (the first half of the year) on the spring equinox ( Albanian : sadita-nata ), the period of the year when daylight is longer than night. Dita e Verës is a chief festivity in traditional Albanian religion, celebrating the strengthening of the Sun ( Dielli ) and the renewal of nature, also respecting

1134-525: The evening, fires are lit to produce smoke, bidding farewell to the old and the bad, while children sing and dance around the fire. In Lushnjë , along with eggs, corn and wheat are also boiled to give to the children that come singing. Despite this, in Lushnjë Summer Day is not always celebrated on March 14; in fact, for Orthodox Christians , it is celebrated on March 1, while Muslims celebrate it on March 14. The celebration starts early in

1176-458: The evening. Around four in the morning, people there wake up "to close the doors." This term means to wake up early and tie the gate's lock with wool. The symbolism of this action is not known. Boiled eggs are also an indicator of this day in Dibra. Elbasan is believed to be the birthplace of the so-called Summer Day. In Elbasan , the festive dimensions are larger than anywhere else. They take on

1218-437: The festival into four phases: Rituals of the Summer Day include washing eyes with summer flowers, drinking water from "the pig's trough" (a wild spring found underground in forested areas), symbolizing a healthy and prosperous year. Another tradition is the boiling of eggs on the night of March 13th and washing the eyes with this water on the morning of March 14th. The morning of March 14 begins with visits to relatives, where

1260-478: The festival, planning concerts, traditional games, and comedic performances in tourist spots and parks, enhancing the festive atmosphere and community bonding. Edith Durham – who collected Albanian ethnographic material from northern Albania and Montenegro – reported that Albanian traditional tattooing of girls was practiced on March 19, which falls in the days of the Albanian spring celebrations. Ballokume

1302-553: The first Martenitsi to the 7th-century Battle of Ongal between the Bulgar Khan Asparuh and the Byzantines , which resulted in a decisive Bulgar victory. After the battle, the Asparuch sent doves with white threads to announce the victory to his main camp. The threads turned bloody during the flight, thus creating the first Martenitsa. Dita e Ver%C3%ABs Dita e Verës or Verëza (English "Summer Day")

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1344-515: The fleet was ordered to anchor nearby. The Bulgars, seeing the dense and numerous lines, became desperate, fled in the aforementioned fortification and prepared themselves for defence. In the next 3-4 days nobody of them dared to show up and the Romans did not seek a battle because of the swamps. The filthy people, seeing the Roman weakness, recovered themselves and became bolder. The emperor suffered from

1386-478: The function to drive away the darkness of the winter season and for the strengthening of the Sun , as well as for purification and apotropaic purposes. The ritual is performed with people dancing and singing around the fire or jumping across it. The shrine of Diana of Cermenika, located in the Albanian city of Elbasan , celebrates Diana the goddess of forests, greenery and nature. The distinctive sign of this holiday

1428-430: The male and female beginnings, and in their balance, with the need for balance in life. Tradition dictates that Martenitsi are always given as gifts, not bought for oneself. They are given to loved ones, friends, and those people to whom one feels close. Beginning on the first of March, one or more are worn pinned to clothing, or around the wrist or neck, until the wearer sees a stork or swallow returning from migration, or

1470-411: The male doll, is usually predominantly white; Penda, the female doll, is distinguished by her skirt and is usually predominantly red. The red and white woven threads symbolize the wish for good health. They are the heralds of the coming of spring and of new life. While white as a color symbolizes purity, red is a symbol of life and passion, and so some ethnologists have proposed that, in its very origins,

1512-410: The morning with groups of children from neighborhoods of this city. The children, dressed as if in the day of the carnivals improvising the devil, appeared with various masks as a symbol of the Summer Day festival. Various groups of children from kindergartens, schools, and high schools with their masks have traversed all the roads leading to the city's central square, performing humorous gestures. On

1554-402: The other hand, a car is displayed, which has the portrait of the devil on its body, ahead of which a carriage with brides symbolizes the day of the celebration. Korçë , along with Kolonjë , are regions that utilize both calendars for the celebration of the Summer Day. In these areas, the festival is celebrated on both March 1st and March 14th. Particularly on March 14 and on the evening before,

1596-564: The rituals are connected with the awakening of vegetation, the revival of life, and the transition from winter to spring. In North Macedonia ethnologist Afet Jashari notes that for this festival various caves such as the Vertop Cave or the Red Water Cave are visited. It is believed that washing with their water, especially on Summer Day, brings fertility and good luck for women, health for children. This Albania -related article

1638-424: The token is a spider , then the person is in trouble and may not enjoy luck, health, or personal success. Wearing one or more Martenitsi is a very popular Bulgarian and Macedonian tradition. The time during which they are worn is meant to be a joyful holiday commemorating health and long life. Modern Martenitsi take a wider variety of forms and often incorporate colored beads and other elaboration. This tradition

1680-571: The vegetation and the Earth ( Dheu ). Dita e Verës is celebrated on March 1 of the Julian calendar , the first day of the new year (which is March 14 in the Gregorian calendar). It is celebrated both in the Northern and Southern regions, but with regional differences. On the eve or before sunrise, bonfires ( zjarre ) are traditionally lit in yards throughout Abanian-inhabited territories with

1722-421: The youngest son delivers shared goods. The picnic starts at 10:00 am, although in recent years activities have begun an hour earlier. Albanians head to scenic spots for this celebration. Each year, the festival evolves, reflecting the spirit of its people. Elbasan becomes a pilgrimage center on March 14, with the entire city dressing up in vibrant decorations. The local government allocates special funds for

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1764-505: The youth and children of Korçë roam through the city's neighborhoods lighting fires. Traditionally, children compete to find more scraps to make the biggest fire. Then, for prosperity, everyone tries to jump over the fire as a symbol of successfully overcoming winter's cold, the revival, and the warming of the blood that Spring brings. Families in their homes bake sweet or salty cakes, symbolizing life, revival, and abundance. The Summer Day, also known as "Dita e Verëzës," has been celebrated in

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