FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS

Every year in February the Municipality of Parvomay and the St. Cyril and Methodius Community Centre organise a Wine-Production Fair.  The Guests of the event have the opportunity to taste and vote to choose the best  home-made wine.The winner receives a prize. The festival is attended by a panel of technologists from visiting wineries – Asenovgrad AD Winery, Wine Cellar Reggina Estate Iskra, winery Zagreus AD Parvomay. The time is not chosen randomly. The beginning of February is when St. Trifon's Day is celebrated. He is the patron saint of vineyards.

February 16th is the day when "Prof.Dr.Asen Zlatarov'' Comprehensive school honours the name of its patron- an outstanding scientist, a humanist, who did a lot for his community and fostered positive values among young people.

This is the Student Self-Government Day when Zlatarov's students show their talent, individuality and qualities in different activities. 

As well as the Dragoynovo Festival in June and Iskra Festival in August, a festival in the town of Parvomay takes place in September which is a celebration of Thracian Music and Songs. Many national orchestras, folklore groups and single artists take part in this festival. 

Lazarus Day is one of the most important spring holidays in Bulgarian folk tradition. It is associated with beliefs about the renewal of nature, health and prosperity. It is believed that on this day the spirits of the ancestors return to the land and bless the families.

There are certain rituals related to this celebration. The rituals are performed by young girls (typically of age 16 who are unmarried), called lazarki. The girls decorate their hair richly and colourfully (usually with flower and ribbon wreaths) and dance around the village singing songs. They stop from house to house, performing songs and blessing the homes, accepting small presents and food from the hosts, typically the men. They meet by a river, where they drop their wreaths. It is said that the girl whose laurel first takes the lead will be married first. 

Many girls from the municipality take the role of Lazarki every year.

Todorov's Day, also known as Todoritsa or Forgiveness, is a Bulgarian folk celebration that takes place on the first Saturday after Midsummer Eve. The traditional customs associated with Todorov Day include gathering families and friends for a joint celebration. St. Todor is considered to be the patron saint of horses.

In Parvomay municipality the day is marked with horse racing in Debar. The horses are decorated with coloured threads, beads and tassels. It's an amazing spectacle.

St. Jordan's Day(on 6th January), also known as Epiphany or Epiphany, is a Christian holiday which celebrates the purifying and healing power of water. 

The main ritual on this day is throwing of the cross. As an old Bulgarian tradition on this day, priests perfom blessings of the water and throw a wooden cross into a river, sea or a lake. Men dive in the ice-cold water and race to retrieve the cross. It is believed that the man who first takes the cross out of the water will be blessed to be healthy and freed from evil spirits throughout the year. The priest delivers a special blessing to that man and his household. 

In Parvomay municipality the cross is thrown in the waters of Mechka and Maritsa rivers.

Еvery September a funfair in the town of Parvomay takes place. Children can indulge themselves with candies and enjoy exciting funfair rides.