v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Kukeri rituals and ancient mask traditions: The heart of Surva is the kukeri — hulking masked figures who perform ritual dances to chase away evil and call in fertility. It’s not a costume contest so much as a living, noisy piece of folk religion: bells, stomping, and purposeful chaos that feel raw and very old-school.
- Huge street parades and mass performances: Multiple groups stream through streets and arenas in long, choreographed processions. Seeing dozens of troupes synchronise bell-ringing, jumps and mock-battles at once gives the festival a tribal, carnival-scale energy you won’t get from a staged show.
- Handmade masks and show-stopping costumes: Masks here are often carved, sewn and assembled by the participants themselves — wood, leather, fur, horns, braided wool. Watching artisans
- Kukeri rituals and ancient mask traditions: The heart of Surva is the kukeri — hulking masked figures who perform ritual dances to chase away evil and call in fertility. It’s not a costume contest so much as a living, noisy piece of folk religion: bells, stomping, and purposeful chaos that feel raw and very old-school.
- Huge street parades and mass performances: Multiple groups stream through streets and arenas in long, choreographed processions. Seeing dozens of troupes synchronise bell-ringing, jumps and mock-battles at once gives the festival a tribal, carnival-scale energy you won’t get from a staged show.
- Handmade masks and show-stopping costumes: Masks here are often carved, sewn and assembled by the participants themselves — wood, leather, fur, horns, braided wool. Watching artisans and groups prepare, then seeing those pieces come alive in motion, is one of the clearest links between craft and performance.
- The soundscape: bells, drums and kinetic chaos: The constant clang of massive cowbells and pounding drums shapes the whole experience. It’s less background music and more a physical force that you feel in your chest — part ritual, part percussion concert — and it sticks with you long after the festival ends.
- Interactive vibes and international exchange: Surva draws local village traditions and masquerade troupes from abroad, so there’s a real mix of styles and friendly rivalry. Add mask-making workshops, stalls with local food and the chance to try on a bell or hat, and you get a festival that’s both spectator-ready and hands-on.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Half Day Tour around Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa
Sofia Discount Card – Balloon Flights, ATV, Spa, 70+ Experiences
ATV Off Road Tour Near Sofia Guided Quad Bike Experience
Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup
Full-day Rila Monastery, Stob Pyramids and St Ivan Rilski Cave from Sofia
Sofia from the Top and Alexander Nevski Catherdral
From Sofia: Mushroom Foraging & Wild Food Experience with Dobrin
Private transfer by car/MPV/Van from Sofia to Plovdiv
Private Experience in Wildlife Survival School in Bulgaria
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.