Spring has arrived again this year! Chestita Baba Marta! (Bulgarian Spring Celebration)
The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan co-hosted the “Martenitsa Festival 2026” with Shibuya Ward to commemorate National Day on March 3rd and the “Baba Marta” celebration on March 1st.
In Bulgaria, March 3rd marks the anniversary of liberation from the Ottoman Empire. National Day also includes a memorial ceremony for those who fought against the Ottoman Empire, and is a national holiday.
In addition, “Baba Marta” (Grandmother of March), celebrated on March 1st, is a festival that heralds the arrival of spring. By celebrating “Baba Marta,” a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, people celebrate the end of the long, harsh winter and give each other “Martenitsa,” a talisman of health, and wear it to celebrate the arrival of spring. “Martenitsa” is a charm shaped like a human, made from red and white yarn. People give these to family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and other close associates, wishing each other good health and happiness.
This year marks the fourth year of this traditional Bulgarian spring festival. Thanks to the efforts of H.E. Madam. Marieta Arabadjieva, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Japan, a variety of events were organized at Miyashita Park in Shibuya Ward, where the festival took place. Particularly popular were workshops where participants could make their own martenitsa and have their name engraved in Bulgarian Cyrillic script. Many people enjoyed the Bulgarian spring throughout the day.
This festival is an excellent opportunity to share Bulgaria’s rich culture, cuisine, and the latest information with Japan, as well as a wonderful opportunity for members of the Bulgarian community in Japan to come together. We look forward to next year’s festival, where we can reunite, meet new people, and enjoy Bulgaria’s rich culture.
