Yardzhilovtsi

Yardzhilovtsi is the biggest village in the municipality of Pernik, it is situated on the Pernik - Trun road and 40 km. east of the Serbian border. The world weightlifting champion Yoto Yotov is a native of the village.

A powerful magic- this is our Surva!

Survakari masquerade ritualism in Yardjilovtsi has century-long traditions and, owing to its vitality, has been preserved up to the present day. The opening of the celebration in our village is on the 13th January in the evening with the ignition of torches and fire. In the past survakari presented this custom separately. Then they joined groups. The groups of masked men consist of ‘wedding personages’(‘nevesta’ (bride), bridegroom, godfather, priest, sexton) and ‘zvonchari’ (bell-bearers).The letter refers to those of the performers who wear heavy bells on a belt around their waist, and on their heads- likove (sing. lik; masks) made of wood, fur and horns. The preparation for this big presentation usually starts several months before this celebration. Today masks are fantastic, huge works of traditional applied arts in which all the creative powers and imagination of their makers are embodied. The group is led by chieftain. After him we see the wedding. Masked people visit all the houses in the village and pronounce a blessing for health, fertility, a rich and happy year. Their coming is considered to be an omen for prosperity, so the welcoming hosts share with them the fruits of their labours- ritual loaf of bread, meat, dried fruit, flour, beans, wine and rakia (strong brandy). In every house the group presents traditional marriage ceremony. Survakari play at every home, thus drive out evil spirits. With the development of the village, the number of people who take part in this masquerade grows. Nowadays there are three survakari groups in Yardjilovtsi-one for each neighborhood. On the 14th January groups meet each other in the centre of the village and that is the way in which the great dancing starts. All the citizens of Yardjilovtsi and a lot of guests, from close and far are here to see and live through this unforgettable event. It helps not only to conserve the tradition, but also to relate the spectators to the participants. In the territory of Bulgaria survakari from Yardjilovtsi are the most impressive in number of participants and awards won. The authenticity of the costumes and masks is stored. • In 1965 the survakari from Yardjilovtsi won their first gold medal at The First Masquerade carnival in Pernik. Excellent presentation survakari have in the next national and international masquerade carnivals: • Second and Third National Carnival- silver medals; • Sixth National Carnival- bronze medal; • Eighth and Twelfth National Carnival- gold medals; • Thirteenth International Carnival- the group receives the rank “The best for all the times” • Sixteenth International Carnival- gold medal; • Eighteenth International Carnival- gold medal and a special award from FECC for brilliant presentation;

Survakari from Yardjilovtsi have many presentations not only in Bulgaria, but also in Europe.

1995 in Krakov, Poland; 1995 in Set and Paris, France; 1997 in Hanover, Germany; 2000 in Ovar, Portugal; 2005 in Strumica, Macedania; 2007 in Leskovac, Serbia; 2008 in Prilep, Macedonia; 2008 in Leskovac, Serbia; 2009 in Prilep, Macedonia; 2010 in Arlon, Belgium; Impressive performance is the reason why the group of Yardjilovtsi survakari is well known. Due to this fact many popular directors decide to film their presentations in the best Bulgarian films: “Iron candlestick”, “The iconostasis”, “goat’s horn”, “Small Secrets”, and “When masks are silent”.

The tradition is still alive, and it will be in the future!!!