KA2

2. At the beginning of December we start
with the Christmas preparations

3. We create hand-made Christmas cards

4. …and sweets for our parents and friends
are being prepared

5. The very first snow and snowflakes we
reflected in our paintings

6. We also made Snow-men from various
materials

7. The Snow-men were used for decoration
all around the Kindergarten

8. Our little tiny friends, made from
plasticine, were smiling at us during the
whole time

9. We started the festivities, led by children,
with a typical Bulgarian Christmas
tradition called “Koleduvane”

10. “Koleduvane” is a Bulgarian Christmas
ritual, in which only men take part and
they are called “Koledari”. The ritual starts
at Christmas Eve and is used to summon
rich harvest, health and happiness.

11. The preparation of the “Koledari” starts at
20th of December. They learn Christmas
songs, form groups of 10-15 men and
appoint the group leader who should be
older and married. Within the group boys
can also take part and their role is to alert
the owners of the houses for the arrival of
the “Koledari”.

12. A young man is chosen who knows the
Christmas songs by heart, is an open-handed,
has a soul of an artist and a generous heart.
The “Koledari” are in traditional festive gowns.
They visit homes in groups as they always
start from the Eastern side.

13. In our Kindergarten this ritual is
performed every year by our grown up
children, who visit their younger friends

14. The “Koledari” of Kindergarten “Latinka”
were welcomed by every kindergarten
group from the little hosts with traditional
dishes.

15. On the other hand, the hosts from the
kindergarten groups responded to the
visits with many songs and dances.

16. All children together are performing the
last dance

17. According to the ritual, during the Christmas Eve
the “Koledari” start first with the house of the
most important man within the settlement – the
Mayor, the Pope and the Teacher. That’s why
we’ve started with the Mayor of Municipality of
Shumen.

18. The “Koledari” of Kindergarten “Latinka”
greeted the whole municipal
administration and the mass media of
Shumen Town.

19. Songs for blessings were performed.
Wishes for health, good luck and many
smiles during the year were made by the
“Koledari”.

20. Traditional Christmas dances were
performed

21. There was a treat with a warm round loaf

22. The Mayor and his colleagues gifted us
with sweets and we took a picture as a
keepsake.

23. According to the tradition, we handmade
with the help of our parents the so called
“survaknitsa”.

24. “Survaknitsa” is an ornate cornel twig with
pop corns and dried fruits. It is used by
the children to bump it gently against
elders backs wishing them health,
happiness and prosperity during the New
Year.

25. We create the Christmas and New Year
spirit using decorated Christmas trees.

26. Santa Clause is there along with many
little bright lights

27. We are preparing ourselves by learning
new songs

28. Dances are also being rehearsed, so that
we can greet the Old Santa

29. We are equipped with special costumes

30. While pending for Santa’s return the
pedagogues have prepared doll staging
for the children

31. The dolls receive also presents

32. The arrival of Santa Clause

33. Santa Clause has received our letter,
that’s why he has returned to us

34. We are singing songs, telling him cheerful
stories and we share our desires for the
New Year.

35. Here is the long waited moment…
the Presents!

36. WISHES FOR SUCCESSFUL AND
HAPPY NEW 2015 YEAR FROM
THE CHILDREN AND THE
TEACHERS OF KINDERGARTEN
“LATINKA” BULGARIA

37. THANK YOU!

38. Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic
Partnerships for the school
education project:
“Puppets mission: childhood
without borders“ 2014-2016