Halloween is one of the most popular autumn holidays in the Western world — filled with pumpkins, costumes, treats, and a touch of mystery. In Bulgaria, however, it remains a relatively new and often debated phenomenon. Why is that? Let’s explore its history and its place in Bulgarian culture.
Ancient Roots: From Samhain to All Hallows’ Eve
The origins of Halloween are most closely linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced roughly “sow-in” or “sah-win”). The ancient Celts of Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Britain marked it around 31 October – 1 November. It signalled the end of the harvest and the beginning of the “dark” half of the year — a time when, according to belief, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead grew thin. People lit bonfires, wore masks or disguises to confuse evil spirits, and performed rituals for protection through the winter.
As Christianity spread, the Church gradually adapted pagan festivals. In the 8th–9th centuries, Pope Gregory III (and later Gregory IV) established 1 November as All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day). The evening before — 31 October — became known as All Hallows’ Eve (“the eve of All Saints”), from which the modern name Halloween derives.
During the Middle Ages and later in the British Isles, customs such as “souling” (going door-to-door for “soul cakes” in exchange for prayers for the dead) and “guising” (dressing up) developed. Irish immigrants brought these traditions to America in the 19th century. There, the pumpkin replaced the traditional turnip for lanterns (jack-o’-lanterns), and in the 20th century Halloween became commercialised into a mass entertainment holiday of costumes, parties, and “trick-or-treat.”
Halloween in Bulgaria – an Import, Not a Tradition
In Bulgaria, Halloween is not part of the folk or church calendar. It began to appear more noticeably after the 1990s — first in language high schools, private schools, and among young people in the big cities, and later through media, films, and the internet. Today it is celebrated mainly as entertainment: costumes, parties, pumpkin and cobweb decorations, and occasionally limited “trick-or-treating” in some neighbourhoods of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas.
Why has it not become a traditional holiday?
1. Orthodox tradition and its own calendar
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates All Saints’ Day in spring (the first Sunday after Pentecost). For honouring the dead, Bulgarians have Zadushnitsa (All Souls’ Days) several times a year (including Archangel’s Zadushnitsa around 8 November). People visit cemeteries, light candles, share food “for the soul,” and pray. This is a deeply rooted custom tied to faith and remembrance, not to masks and sweets.
2. Proximity to the Day of the National Awakeners
On 1 November, Bulgaria marks the Day of the National Awakeners — a holiday of knowledge, enlightenment, and national identity. Many people feel that Halloween “overshadows” this important day and introduces foreign symbolism right before it.
3. Cultural and religious objections
Part of society (including representatives of the Church) sees Halloween as a pagan or overly commercial element that does not fit the Orthodox worldview. There are also criticisms that the focus on “spirits” and “evil forces” contradicts Christian values. In some municipalities, celebrations in schools and kindergartens have even been restricted in favour of Bulgarian traditions.
4. Lack of historical roots
Unlike the kukeri (who chase away evil spirits in winter), survakanе, or martenitsi, Halloween has no deep Bulgarian parallels. It remains primarily an urban, youthful, and “imported” form of entertainment.
What Happens Today?
Despite the reservations, Halloween is gaining popularity — especially among children and young people. Shops offer pumpkins and decorations, themed parties and photo zones are organised. For many, it is simply a creative way to unwind and have fun without replacing traditional holidays.
Ultimately, Halloween in Bulgaria is an example of cultural globalisation: an ancient Celtic-Christian custom, reshaped in America and arriving here as entertainment. Whether it will remain only a “party occasion” or weave itself more deeply into everyday life — time will tell. What matters is that we know both foreign traditions and our own — the Zadushnitsi, the Day of the Awakeners, and the rich Bulgarian autumn-winter calendar.
