Kukeri（Surva）

Kukeri (Surva) is a traditional Bulgarian festival where masked and costumed dancers parade through the streets, ringing bells to drive away evil spirits and welcome the coming of spring.

Each winter, the town of Pernik explodes with color, sound, and primal energy during the Surva Festival—the largest Kukeri (masked dancer) event in Bulgaria. For three days, thousands of Kukeri in monstrous costumes and giant bells fill the streets, believed to chase away evil and awaken the land for spring. Whether you’re a folklore enthusiast or simply want to experience the energy of ancient ritual and community, Surva is a festival that fully engages all five senses.

The thunder of bells, the flash of fur and feathers, the smoky aroma of grilled meats, and the warmth of bonfires on a cold January night—Surva is a celebration where myth and reality collide, drawing everyone into its magic.

Grand Kukeri Parade

Key Events

Costumes and Decorations

Traditional Food & Drink

The Kukeri tradition is believed to date back to ancient Thracian times (around the 6th century BCE), originally as a pagan ritual to mark the end of winter and the arrival of spring. People wore animal furs and wooden masks, dancing to drive away evil spirits, disease, and misfortune, while praying for fertility and health. The festival was also linked to Dionysian rituals dedicated to the god of wine and fertility.

Masks are decorated with goat or sheep skins, colorful threads, beads, and shards of mirror—each color and material symbolizing natural elements like earth, fire, water, and light. The deep sound of the large bells (sometimes weighing up to 30–40 kg) is a key element, believed to banish evil.

After Bulgaria’s Christianization, the Kukeri tradition continued, evolving in each village and town with unique costumes, dances, and rituals. In the Pernik region, the ancient New Year and spring masquerade custom known as “Surova” has been preserved for centuries, and this tradition is the basis for today’s Surva Festival.

It is important to note that UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage designation applies specifically to the traditional Surova masquerade custom of the Pernik region, not the modern Surva Festival itself. The Surva Festival is an international event that celebrates and preserves the spirit and rituals of Surova for a wider audience. For Bulgarians, Kukeri remains a living heritage, symbolizing ancestral spirit, regional pride, and the bonds of community.

I visited from Germany and was amazed by the energy and hospitality. A young Kuker told me how he learned mask-making from his father and grandfather, and even let me try on the costume. It was heavy, hot, and smelled like sheep—but I felt transformed. The fire-jumping at night was incredible, with the square glowing and everyone cheering as Kukeri leapt over the flames. I shared hot banitsa with a local family, and we laughed together even without speaking the same language.

• Kukeri masks can weigh up to 10 kg and are handmade over several months.
• Each region of Bulgaria has its own unique Kukeri costume and ritual style.
• Some masks are believed to have magical powers to protect homes and families for a year.

The Surva Festival (Kukeri) is held annually in late January in Pernik, Bulgaria. For the latest dates and details, check the official website.