Welcome the Spring with Bulgarian Tradition

We will create together the unique "martenitsa" - white and red fabric in different art which Bulgarians give to others on First of March since ages wishing health and celebrating the spring.

We invite youngsters 16 - 22 years from EU countries where Bulgarian immigrants have bad publicity in the media and in the speeches of politicians. We also invite participants from countries where same tradition exists.
We hope knowing us and our tradition will help to overcome the prejudices.

Mastering of "Martenitsa" will improve your creativity and is a unique way to be together, to exchange traditions in spring celebration in the countries and youth participation in them.

Name: Welcome the Spring with Bulgarian Tradition
Action: 1.1 Youth Exchange/3.1 (if we have group from Moldova)
Brief description: We share our unique tradition to welcome the spring while knowing eachother in Plovdiv - one of the oldest living cities in the world.
We will create together the unique "martenitsa" - white and red fabric in different art which Bulgarians give to others on First of March since ages wishing health and celebrating the spring.
Time: 22.02 – 02.03
Language: English
Participants: 16 – 20 years old
from: Germany, Greece, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, Moldova
each nationality: Group of 8 plus leader
Activities:
Workshops:
Bulgarian history
Folklore and spring traditions
Bulgarian crafts – history and modern
Mastering “martenitsa” We will do traditional Bulgarian “Martenitsa” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenitsa
Everyone can do this as common people done this in the past. We’ll see how masters do this and will try with them. And we do simple variations with youngsters.
1. with artist/ craftsman in their atellies
2. with youngsters in High School
3. with to be artists from National Fine Art High school. With the Youngsters from The National Gylnasium for Stage and Screen Arts we create hudge "martenitsa" - two costumes for participants to walk on First of March.
4. With youngsters from Home for children without parents care
5. With elderly people from home

Presenting on First of March participants give “martenitsa”
1. on the International Airport Plovdiv (depending on flight program)
2. to kids in hospital
3. to elderly people living in an institution
4. on main street/mall

Meetings:
1. Deputy Mayor for Youth, Sport and social activities
2. Youngsters from Highschools

Tourist program:
Walking tour in Plovdiv old city.
Visit of the Ethnogarfical Museum
Visit of craftsman workschop.
Visiting galleries and some events.

I’m sure You’ll like very much to be part of Bulgarian First of March tradition we share with some regions in Romania and Moldova.
You'll like this creative way of meting young Bulgarians and other youngsters and know more about them.
You'll like Your stay in our wonderful city and this possibility to make friends.
Participants with limited opportunities are welcome to join us.