Baba Marta - Presentation by pupils

Martenitsa - Deutscher Kindergarten Erich-Kästner

Martenitsa

We find this custom very nice. So each child in the kindergarten made his own Martenitsa and put it on his hand till we saw a bloomy bush. Definitly we saw some bloomy bushes in our gardens, so now spring is coming quickly in Germany.

Heidi Quéré

Martenitsa

March 1. is a day of the rich Bulgarian tradition, and wishes for health, love and a good harvest. This is the time when Bulgarians exchange amulets - the so called bulgarian "Martenitsa" and tell each other, "Chestita Baba Marta" (Happy Granny March).

Martenitsas offered by the Deutscher Kindergarten Erich-Kästner

Martenitsa is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and worn from March 1st until the 22nd March (or the first time an individual sees a stork or swallow). Mart is the Bulgarian word for the month of March.
The name of the holiday is Baba Marta, a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the upcoming spring. The month of March, according to Bulgarian folklore, marks the beginning of springtime.
Therefore, the first day of March is a traditional holiday associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring.