About the Image(s)

These photos were taken in January in Bulgaria, to document traditions welcoming the new year. Masked and costumed participants come together, symbolically chasing away evil spirits and marking cycles of renewal. The elaborate masks and costumes differ dramatically from village to village. For a period of two full days, there is a large-scale convergence in the town of Pernik, in which over 100 groups and 12,000 participants, many from Pernik and villages around it, and others from neighboring Balkan countries, parade, accompanied by the large bells which they wear around their waists and activate by jumping up and down or by swaying their hips. The masks are very heavy, and as you can see, the participants occasionally rest by taking off the masks and carrying them. It is joyful, colorful, COLD, and NOISY. I loved it. The main photo and the auxiliary one represent two different villages, each with its own traditions.

Both photos (main and auxiliary): iPhone17Pro, at 6.76m, f/1.78 (aperture adjusted in camera), ~ 1/1900”, ISO 80. I’m still having computer issues, so these are straight out of my (new!) phone.