The Burgas ethnographers show what is arranged at the ceremonial table for Nicholas Day

Traditionally, the Regional historical museum of Burgas will present to the citizens of Burgas and the guests of the city a ceremonial Nikulden table. It will be arranged in the garden next to the Clock in the morning on December 6, Friday. Its consecration will start at 10:45 am, and traditionally the ritual bread of Nikulden will be broken by the host - the Mayor of Burgas Dimitar Nikolov.

In the Bulgarian folk calendar Nicholas Day marks the beginning of the real winter. St. Nicholas is described as an old man with a white head and a long white beard. The people call him still old Saint Nicholas. The saint shakes his long white beard and pours out the first snowflakes. For the first snow, the farmers must be prepared in advance, and so are the sayings "Drive wood, grind flour, that the cold is coming!", "Nikulice, Barbarian, car flour, car wood!" the snow! " At the same time, St. Nicholas protects the sea from freezing.

An important place in the winter rite of passage is the ceremonial table where fish is always present. That is why the holiday is often called "St. Nicholas Fish" or "St. Nicholas Wet". Folk tradition calls for the sacrifice of a saint to sacrifice a fish whose body is covered with scales because "naked fish" instilled sad thoughts of nudity and poverty. Under the influence of Christian religion, a second condition is set: that the fish have a cross-shaped bone on its head. These requirements are met by carp, platypus, barbel and spread. The most festive fish dish is considered carp in the nickel or carp, stuffed carp in the crust (dough), and the stuffing can be different. Beside the fish dishes of the ceremonial table are also arranged lean dishes - beans, lean trumpets, lean stuffed peppers, boiled wheat, bulgur, corn. In addition, special ritual breads are prepared for the feast - goddess, god bread, nickel cow, nickel kolak. They are decorated by modeling the image of a saint or his ship from dough.

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