A large number of participants, guests and spectators gathered on the central square in Pernik and on the second day of the 29th International Festival of Masquerade Games "Surva" 2023.

Numerous survakars, kukers, kooks, old men, babugers, jamalars, camel drivers, etc. showed their art to the audience.

Foreign groups also demonstrated unique costumes and recreated customs characteristic of their countries.

For the first time in the more than 50-year history of "Surva", the masquerade parades are held for three days, starting yesterday.

"Surva" is once again preparing to take over Pernik

The International Festival in Pernik is the most authoritative event in Bulgaria and Europe of traditional folk games and masked customs.

He popularized variants of an ancient ritual that have reached today, part of the Bulgarian folklore tradition.

Thousands of tradition bearers from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria, as well as guests from abroad, participate in the festival competition every year.

"Surva" was organized by the Municipality of Pernik for the first time in 1966. In 1985, the festival gained international status, and ten years later, Pernik was accepted as a member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECG).

On June 26, 2009, the mining town was declared the European capital of Survakar and Kuker traditions.

In 2014, the city and the festival were included in the ranking of the authoritative "National Geographic" magazine for the world's top winter destinations. 

Its most attractive highlight is the competitive parade of masquerade groups from the country and abroad.

international festival

the surva festival

A pillowcase