Fearsome kukeri, melodious bagpipes and rhythmic dance steps drove evil out of Plovdiv

The main organiser of the event “Dress Code: Bell”, or “Charity Bell”, is Smilyana Zaharieva - the woman with the most powerful voice in the world, entered in the Guinness Book of Records. The organisers set up two points where the public could get bells with martenitsi, leave their donation for the charity campaign “The Best for Our Children and Cancer Patients”, and join the kukeri and music groups. The date of 1 March, when all Bulgarians traditionally pin on martenitsi for health and luck, coincided with another major holiday - Sirni Zagovezni (Cheesefare Sunday). Largely forgotten in urban settings, the holiday was given attention, interest and an impressive turnout of many thousands. The celebration was especially for our children, so that they could learn, enjoy themselves and meet in person the wonderfully colourful archetypal figures and symbols of the kukeri. The campaign is organised by St George University Hospital with the aim of building a new paediatric and oncohaematology complex, to which the Clinic of Paediatrics, together with the Children’s Emergency Department, the Clinic of Medical Oncology and the Clinic of Clinical Haematology will move from their old and crumbling buildings.

Thank you for the honour you gave us of being part of this noble undertaking.