Ivanitsa Nesheva
member of the Cape Cod Parent Organization
Silvia Alharthy
teacher
The Bulgarian school in the Cape Cod branch celebrated Baba Marta - one of the most cherished Bulgarian customs with a long tradition that goes thousand of years back. On this holiday, everyone gives their loved ones a special amulet called martenitsa, for health and strength. The martenitsa is made from white and red thread. The color white symbolizes purity, innocence, joy and beauty. The color red is a symbol of vitality, health and love. In Bulgarian folklore, red is also a sign of victory, life, bravery and the light of the rising and setting sun.
We started the Saturday school day with a story about Pijo and Penda and we made our own Bulgarian martenitsas. We then welcomed Baba Marta. She told us the legend of the martenitsa and wished us never to separate and to always stay together as the white and red threads of the martenitsa are woven together. The good old woman gave every child and adult a handmade martenitsa. She truly recreated this Bulgarian holiday with great inspiration. Mrs. Zdravka Nikolova played the accordion and sang for us, and we continued the celebration with some Bulgarian “horo” dance and small Bulgarian pastries and sweets. Each child also received a spring flower in the colors of March with a wish for health. "It was an unforgettable day, filled with many surprises and emotions!", said Silvia Alharthy, teacher of the youngest school group at the branch.
Without the efforts, participation and help of teachers, parents, relatives and friends, our children would not have been able to experience and see this Bulgarian tradition. Thank you for a great day full of surprises and emotions!
