A celebration of vines and wine
Trifon Zarezan is the traditional festival of vine growers, gardeners and tavern keepers. Saint Tryphon is honoured as the patron saint of vineyards. The name Zarezan refers to zaryazvane, the ritual first pruning of the vines towards the end of winter.
The Church commemorates the martyr Saint Tryphon on 1 February, while the folk calendar places the festival on 14 February, corresponding to 1 February under the old calendar. Both dates remain in use, with different areas celebrating on one or the other. It is also a name day for people called Trifon and Trifonka.
The vine-pruning tradition
Traditionally, men go to the vineyard early in the morning carrying pruning shears, bread, a roast hen and a flask of wine. Each cuts three shoots from a vine, pours wine over the cut area and offers a blessing for a plentiful harvest.
The participants then choose a “king of the vineyards”: the best vine grower, who is crowned with a wreath of vine shoots and carried through the village. A communal feast follows, with singing and horo, traditional Bulgarian folk dancing. Today, many wine-growing regions also hold competitions for the best homemade wine.
Date and public holiday status
Trifon Zarezan is observed on 14 February each year. It is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria.
The date is shared with Valentine’s Day, and the two celebrations often overlap in Bulgaria, bringing together wine, music and a romantic dinner. Neither celebration is an official day off.