This Sunday we celebrate Cheese Lent, also called Forgiveness, Poklady or Proshkina Sunday. This holiday is always celebrated 7 weeks before Easter and one week after Meat Lent. The Easter fast begins on the day after Cheese Lent, writes Az-jenata.bg.
Customs
Traditionally, on this holiday, young families go to visit their parents, godparents, older relatives, as well as the best men. The young ask for forgiveness from the older ones with the words “Forgive me, mom/dad/grandma/grandfather...“, and they answer them – – “Forgive me, both from me and from God." or “May it be easy for you, may God forgive.“
On Cheese Lent, we ask for forgiveness from all our relatives and friends, to whom we apologize for the offenses during the year, if we have offended or neglected them at some point. Traditionally, forgiveness is not only sought by spouses, because it is known that the next day they may quarrel again.
The evening table includes fish, butter, eggs, milk, cheese, all kinds of dairy products, cheese pie, leeks or sauerkraut, without meat.
One of the most beloved rituals - the custom of “amkane“ or “hamkane“ is performed precisely after dinner. To perform the ritual, it is necessary to boil an egg or prepare halva or cheese, tied on a hemp thread. It swings over the table and everyone reaches out with their mouths open when the egg is aimed at them. Whoever bites the egg with their mouths will be the healthiest.
On Sundays, bonfires are lit (pyres) and after they burn out, people jump over them for health. Then people dance around them and sing songs. That is why the holiday is also called Poklady. In some parts of Bulgaria, the custom of plowmen (ogruglitsi) is widespread - these are straw torches that every householder spins around his head and thus drives away evil from the house.