On April 5, 2018 (Holy Thursday) at 17:30h. REM – Plovdiv invites you to the official opening of the exhibition“Easter in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia”. This exhibition tells about the similarities and differences in the Easter traditions in the three countries. The preserved pagan customs can be traced both in their and our traditions, also how the Christianity changed in the traditional believes and conceptions. The Spring rituals for the awakening of Nature that the Easter rite is connected with, are presented according to the used in those countries Julian and Gregorian calendars. In Bulgaria this cycle includes the rites from the second Sunday before Lent and the first Sunday before Lent, Masquerade games, Horse Easter – St. Theodor’s day, St. Lazar’s day, Palm Sunday, i.e. the seven Sundays of the fast. In Czech Republic and Slovakia, the fasting begins with Ash Wednesday and continues for six Sundays until the Resurrection Sunday and all national customs are kept during this time. The rites related to the agriculture sacrifices that are common for the three countries are clearly outlined with this comparison, also the maidens’ ritual during St. Lazar’s day, that is thought to be ancient. The exhibition presents the rich ritualism around the Resurrection itself and the different traditions, which they and we have. The lovers of the beautiful Easter eggs will have the chance to learn how many different techniques are used for their decoration; about the traditions kept from the Middle Ages till nowadays, and about the new innovational approaches used in XXI c. Everyone who comes will find something new and interesting, which they can take with themselves from this colourful exhibition. It is sure that everyone who comes will enrich themselves with many new things for the culture and national customs of those close in their development countries from the Middle Ages, which after the acceptance of the Christianity took a different path. The exhibition will be on display in REM – Plovdiv until April 30, 2018 You are welcome! For contact: Grozdelina Georgieva – curator Tel.: 032/ 62 63 57, GSM: 0878 91 42 75 e-mail: [email protected]