We Got Mail: Baba Marta

Petya Yorgova sent us these unusual but very cheerful Pizho and Penda. They were made from plastic coffee cups and ping-pong balls.

Plastic cups lamp – made by the kids from the NEW STARS CLUB at the Bratya Miladinovi 1936 at the village of Mikrevo and their teacher Miroslava Kostadinova.

Yarn-wrapped plastic cup candleholder made by the kids from the NEW STARS CLUB at the Bratya Miladinovi 1936 at the village of Mikrevo and their teacher Miroslava Kostadinova.

A merry gourd decorated by the kids from the NEW STARS CLUB at the Bratya Miladinovi 1936 at the village of Mikrevo and their teacher Miroslava Kostadinova.

This little spider was made by Goshko and his mom Teddy from Petrich. 

 Flowers- Goshko and his mom Teddy from Petrich.

Hearts – Goshko and his mom Teddy from Petrich.

Octopus (see instructions) – Goshko and his mom Teddy from Petrich.

What is ‘martenitsa’?

In Bulgarian folklore the month of March is often portrayed as a plump, cheerful old lady, “baba Marta”. The 1st day of her reign is celebrated with red and white ornaments in various designs – as bracelets, brooches, pom-poms… 
The origins of this ritual are lost in time, but the meaning is clear – they are luck charms you give away to wish good health (and good looks, too!) Friends, family, even pets and domestic animals get one.They are also a countdown to spring – you wear them every day until you see the first stork or blossoming tree. Then you take the martenitsa off and tie it to a branch.