NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria - Novo Selo Training Area support staff with U.S. Army and Bulgarian service members shared Bulgarian Christmas traditions at local schools in Kamen and Mokren, Bulgaria, Dec. 16 and 22.
The outreach opportunity was a continuation of the shared relationship between the local villages and the military training area to foster and support a culture built on trust and knowledge of the cultures, characteristics and backgrounds of both communities.
Students at the schools described the preparation of Bulgarian homes, including a table set for visitors with an odd number of vegetarian dishes after the culmination of a 40 day fast from meat, which ends on Christmas Eve. The children performed Bulgarian songs, poems and traditional dances for their guests before the arrival of the koledari.
“The koledari, or Christmas carolers, go from house to house in Bulgarian villages,” said Petnya Georgieva, the Bulgarian Community Liaison at NSTA. “Starting at midnight on Christmas Eve, these groups of carolers made up of young men dressed in traditional costumes varying slightly by region, arrive singing to wish good health, wealth and prosperity, and to protect the house against evil spirits, with their songs. They are rewarded with food before moving to the next house.”
Once the children finished singing and dancing, Santa arrived. Novo Selo Training Area personnel helped Santa hand out presents to the students.
“Community outreach is extremely important,” said James Adamski, Deputy Garrison Manager for NSTA, “we’ll be back to visit the school and students again.”
The U.S. is honored to continue its long-term cooperation and cultural engagements with Bulgaria as a strategic ally that continues to demonstrate leadership from the Black Sea region to the Balkans region.
The U.S. appreciates Bulgaria as a steadfast and gracious host to regionally-allocated forces at Novo Selo Training Area, which provides units with premier range facilities, contributing to overall combat readiness of U.S. and Allied forces.
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