December 24 is the first of the festive evenings for Christmas and in Lovech it was also called the incensed dinner, said ethnographer Silvia Vuteva, quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio.
"It is incensed by the oldest man or the grandmother. In the Teteven villages, after dinner, a walnut is broken and used to predict health in the coming year. The most important thing about the ritual evening is that ritual bread is kneaded – Bogovitsa, which is kneaded by the landlady. It is a large round loaf with a plastic decoration made from the dough itself, and most often a cross, flowers or a sheepfold, a plowman, a barrel are placed there, depending on what the landlady does for a living.
On Christmas Eve, only lean dishes are necessarily placed on the table, she also emphasizes: "Boiled beans, boiled wheat, stuffed peppers, sarmi, osha, trepeznik, a bowl of honey, onions and garlic are necessarily for protection and for health. Practically everything that the family produces is also necessarily lean".
After dinner, the family gathers around the Christmas tree to wait for the carolers. "Those who sing Christmas carols, say blessings for good luck in the family".
The tradition of Christmas Eve is still observed today in Lovech. "Christmas Eve as is the tradition. A family holiday with lean dishes and hope for the better".
And the Christmas Bazaar, which is being organized for the first time in many years, brought additional Christmas mood.
"People came out of their houses, came out to look, to smile… Finally, the Christmas spirit has returned to our city. We are feeling festive…You can feel the Christmas spirit, the Christmas mood... We are all already expecting Christmas".