Srede Leto, The Celebration of the Sun, Mugla, Bulgaria | Photography

Srede Leto is a tradition dedicated to the Sun. It marks the middle of the Summer (second of august) and people send away the Sun to the Winter as the days get shorter. It was created by the people of the village a thousand years ago and is still celebrated. It might not be as big of a celebration as it used to be years ago but the tradition is alive. We asked to join them throughout the whole process, and they agreed.

First, you need to collect the herbs. You do that the day before, on the first of august. You gather as many as you like, and whatever kind you want. Those herbs are then made into small bouquets. One for each member of your household, and a bigger one for the home. You wrap each one with a string, put them in a bowl (like the ones in the photographs) full of water, and take them out for the night underneath the Moon, and the stars, covered with a white towel (to gain their magical power).

On the next morning you check if the herbs are still fresh, this is a sign of good health. After that, you gather up with the village close to the river, where you sing songs. The oldest woman sprays around everybody with the herbs submerged in water. As the songs go she gives blessings to the herbs, the water, and the person who made the bouquet.

When this is over the ladies go to the river to throw their wreaths. The fastest one is believed to be owned by the first to get married. You then save your bouquets for next year when you throw them in a river. That part of the tradition I did not photograph because I was so into everything around that I completely missed when the group went to the river for the wreath throwing.

I arrived with the organizers of the event and stayed two extra days. Those two days gave me more time to meet the locals, and all I saw was gratitude and love. They take care of each other and were really happy seeing so many people showing up to honor their traditions. And they are the reason I will keep going back to that magical village where the Sun is being celebrated.